William Saroyan Foundation
William Saroyan Foundation is a private foundation, based in San Francisco, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.2M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 6 grants totaling $55K. Net investment income was $7K.
William Saroyan Foundation at a glance
In short: William Saroyan Foundation gave $55K across 6 grants in 2025 (avg $9K), mostly in New York. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $54,500
- +243.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 6
- +200.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $9,083
- +14.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $7,500
- Total assets
- $1,198,135
- -0.3% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- New York (57% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who William Saroyan Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Children of Armenia Fund ($29K). Together the top 6 received $55K.
Grant Size Distribution
17 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 17 grants of 17 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
Cities
How William Saroyan Foundation gives
- Giving grew 41% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 137% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $12K (2021) to $62K (2023). In 2025 it made 6 grants totaling $55K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Children of Armenia Fund New York, NY | Support Armenian Children | $29,000 |
| KZV School San Francisco, CA | Support Armenian Education | $8,000 |
| Miaseen Daly City, CA | Support Armenian Culture | $8,000 |
| Breakthrough T1D Tustin, CA | Support Diabetes Research | $7,000 |
| Agbu New York, NY | Support Armenian Culture | $2,000 |
| Armenian National Library | Support Armenian Literature | $500 |
Ready to take the next step with William Saroyan Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,198,135 | $149,403 | $152,469 | $54,500 | 6 | $119,059 | $6,922 | $86,632 |
| 2024 | $1,201,201 | $61,199 | $93,160 | $15,850 | 2 | $80,633 | $17,661 | $81,961 |
| 2023 | $1,233,162 | $650,682 | $94,569 | $62,250 | 4 | $88,472 | $25,505 | $77,611 |
| 2022 | $677,049 | $70,669 | $73,229 | $38,750 | 4 | $69,642 | $28,381 | $82,891 |
| 2021 | $679,609 | $41,551 | $66,650 | $12,000 | 1 | — | $22,688 | $79,552 |
| 2020 | $704,708 | $82,809 | $78,826 | $54,100 | 3 | — | $22,058 | $63,376 |
| 2019 | $700,725 | $-20,527 | $67,869 | $48,000 | 1 | — | $25,127 | $61,348 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, William Saroyan Foundation reported a distributable amount of $87K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
William Saroyan Foundation is led by Haig Mardikian, Chairman on every filing since 2019; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Haig Mardikian
Chairman
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Scott Setrakian
Secretary
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 William Saroyan Foundation
How much does William Saroyan Foundation give each year?
William Saroyan Foundation gave $55K across 6 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $16K across 2 grants.
What is William Saroyan Foundation's typical grant size?
William Saroyan Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $7,500, and its average grant was $9,083, across 6 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does William Saroyan Foundation give grants?
William Saroyan Foundation gives mostly in New York: 57% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was California (42%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (2 grants).
Does William Saroyan Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 6 grants with a stated purpose on William Saroyan Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are William Saroyan Foundation's largest grantees?
William Saroyan Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Children of Armenia Fund ($29,000), KZV School ($8,000) and Miaseen ($8,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 83% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is William Saroyan Foundation?
William Saroyan Foundation reported $1.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $119K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $87K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is William Saroyan Foundation's EIN?
William Saroyan Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-1657684. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS February 18, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 9, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 16, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS January 31, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 13, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 9, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
Other open foundation grants in California
California Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in William Saroyan Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
Bayramyan Family Foundation
Las Vegas, NV
Assets
$647K
Grants
7
Total Given
$38K
JHM Charitable Foundation
Manhattan Beach, CA
JHM Charitable Foundation supports organizations in education, culture, and community services, with 2024 grants reaching recipients in Texas, New York, California, and other locations. Its 40 grants ranged from $500 to $2,348,147, with a median of $50,000. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited funding requests.
Assets
$224.3M
Grants
40
Total Given
$8.5M
The Passport Foundation
Wilmington, DE
The Passport Foundation supports environmental health and protection work, including efforts to address toxic chemicals and pollution. In 2024, it made 44 grants ranging from $250 to $300,000, with a median of $32,500; its largest grant shares went to California, Washington, D.C., New York, Washington state, and Vermont. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$62.7M
Grants
44
Total Given
$2.6M
Galadjian Family Foundation
La Canada, CA
The Galadjian Family Foundation funds charitable and educational organizations, with recent grants supporting Armenian community programs, schools, music education, and sports. Its 2025 grants ranged from $2,000 to $65,100, with a median of $5,000; 94% went to California and 6% to New York. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected organizations.
Assets
$4.9M
Grants
13
Total Given
$170K
The Armen and Gloria Hampar Family
Toluca Lake, CA
The Armen and Gloria Hampar Family supports Armenian religious, cultural, educational, and community organizations, as well as children’s welfare and humanitarian work. In 2025, grants ranged from $250 to $203,000, with a median of $3,750; most funding went to California, with some grants elsewhere, including New York and New Jersey. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$14.2M
Grants
38
Total Given
$742K
More similar funders
More Funders in California
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from William Saroyan Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
William Saroyan Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?