The Riordan Foundation
The Riordan Foundation is a public charity based in Pasadena, California, formed in 1981. It says its mission is to provide individuals with access to resources that prepare them to function successfully in society. Its stated program focus is funding programs that support students in low-income communities and improve nursing care in those communities.
The Riordan Foundation at a glance
In short: The Riordan Foundation gave $1.6M across 7 grants in 2024 (avg $233K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,632,283
- +383.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 7
- +40.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $233,183
- +245.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $36,283
- Total assets
- $23,368,586
- -2.5% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to The Riordan Foundation
- Contact
Mailing address: 177 E Colorado Boulevard 800, Pasadena, CA 91105
Phone: (626) 403-3282
Website: https://riordanfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Riordan Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Saint John's Health Center Foundation ($1.3M). Together the top 7 received $1.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
52 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 33 grants of 52 (63%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All reported 2024 grant dollars went to California recipients. The listed 2024 grantees are in Los Angeles.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Riordan Foundation gives
- Giving grew 55% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $338K (2023) to $1.6M (2024). In 2024 it made 7 grants totaling $1.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Saint John's Health Center Foundation Los Angeles, CA | Edison Histrotripsy System and Gala Support | $1,316,000 |
| Covenant House California Los Angeles, CA | Educational and Supportive Services Programming | $150,000 |
| Alliance College Ready Public Schools Foundation Los Angeles, CA | Heroes among us and alliance morgan mckinzie high sschool | $55,000 |
| Mount Saint Mary's University Los Angeles, CA | BSN Summer Immersion Program | $36,283 |
| La's Best Los Angeles, CA | General Operating Support and Sports Programming | $35,000 |
| Geffen Playhouse Los Angeles, CA | General Operating Support | $30,000 |
| Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet Los Angeles, CA | Relocation Costs for the Saint Joseph's Worker Program | $10,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $23,368,586 | $1,807,809 | $1,899,028 | $1,632,283 | 7 | $501,225 |
| 2023 | $23,960,411 | $7,751,669 | $486,894 | $337,680 | 5 | $351,137 |
| 2022 | $14,464,398 | $2,136,955 | $1,259,518 | $834,691 | 18 | $2,036,955 |
| 2021 | $13,591,111 | $7,320,901 | $1,507,940 | $1,050,064 | 11 | $3,590,901 |
| 2020 | $8,120,983 | $1,782,508 | $1,410,652 | $969,470 | 11 | $1,776,508 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to provide individuals with access to resources that will prepare them to function successfully in society. Its program description identifies support for students in low-income communities and improved nursing care in those communities.
Its 2024 grants included support for a nursing summer immersion program, educational and supportive services, school programming, after-school activities, theater, and a health-care system and gala. Among its grantees, Mount Saint Mary’s University describes its mission as providing a liberal arts and sciences education, primarily for women, and developing leadership and service. LA’s BEST says it provides free supervised before- and after-school activities to children at Los Angeles Unified School District schools. Geffen Playhouse describes its work as providing theater productions and related programming to communities in Los Angeles and UCLA students.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported seven grants totaling $1,632,283. Grants ranged from $10,000 to $1,316,000, with a median of $36,283. All reported grant dollars went to recipients in California.
The largest 2024 grant was $1,316,000 to Saint John’s Health Center Foundation for an Edison histotripsy system and gala support. Other grants included $150,000 to Covenant House California for educational and supportive services programming; $55,000 to Alliance College Ready Public Schools Foundation for Heroes Among Us and Alliance Morgan McKinzie High School; and $36,283 to Mount Saint Mary’s University for its BSN Summer Immersion Program. The foundation also gave $35,000 to LA’s BEST for general operating support and sports programming, $30,000 to Geffen Playhouse for general operating support, and $10,000 to the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet for relocation costs for the Saint Joseph’s Worker Program.
The foundation says it monitors grants it makes through site visits, data collection, and annual reports from grantees.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Elizabeth G. Riordan as president, Mary Odell as chair, and Carl W. McKinzie, Esq. as secretary and CFO.
The Riordan Foundation is led by Elizabeth G. Riordan, President since 2023 (on filings since 2020); none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Elizabeth G. Riordan
President
Director → Director & Secretary, 2022
Director & Secretary → President, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Odell
Chair
Chair of the Board → Chair & Director, 2021
Chair & Director → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carl W. McKinzie Esq.
Secretary & CFO
Director → Secretary, 2023
Secretary → Secretary & CFO, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (8)
- Former: Richard J. Riordan (2020–2023) — Founder
- Former: William Ouchi (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Jeffrey Glassman (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Julie L. Nesbit (2020–2021) — Secretary & CFO
- Former: Kathleen A. Riordan (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Mary Beth Riordan (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Nike Irvin (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Patricia Torrey (2020–2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about The Riordan Foundation
How much does The Riordan Foundation give each year?
The Riordan Foundation gave $1.6M across 7 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $338K across 5 grants.
What is The Riordan Foundation's typical grant size?
The Riordan Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $36,283, and its average grant was $233,183, across 7 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Riordan Foundation give grants?
The Riordan Foundation gives mostly in California: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (7 grants).
Does The Riordan Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 29% of The Riordan Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 7) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Who are The Riordan Foundation's largest grantees?
The Riordan Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Saint John's Health Center Foundation ($1,316,000), Covenant House California ($150,000) and Alliance College Ready Public Schools Foundation ($55,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 93% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Riordan Foundation?
The Riordan Foundation reported $23.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.8M.
What does The Riordan Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to provide individuals with access to resources that will prepare them to function successfully in society. Its program description identifies support for students in low-income communities and improved nursing care in those communities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Riordan Foundation?
The Riordan Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check riordanfoundation.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is The Riordan Foundation's EIN?
The Riordan Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-4240189. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 8, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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