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The Riordan Foundation at a glanceMostly funded, not a grantmaker: see who funds it →

· Public charity

The Riordan Foundation

Our mission is to provide individuals with access to resources that will prepare them to function successfully in society.

$1.6M
Granted FY2024still arriving
7
Grants FY2024still arriving
1
States reached
$1.3M
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
05Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
0198% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2019 to 2024.

Education$3.0MHealth$1.4MHuman Services$150kPhilanthropy$80kArts & Culture$40kInternational$30kRecreation & Sports$30kReligion$26kOther$0
02FY2024 · 7 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2024

  • $10k–50k4 grants · $111k
  • $50k–250k2 grants · $205k
  • $250k+1 grant · $1.3M
$36,283
Median grant
1
States reached
$23M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
SAINT JOHN'S HEALTH CENTER FOUNDATION$1,316,000
COVENANT HOUSE CALIFORNIA$150,000
ALLIANCE COLLEGE READY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION$55,000
MOUNT SAINT MARY'S UNIVERSITY$36,283
LA'S BEST$35,000
GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE$30,000
SISTERS OF SAINT JOSEPH OF CARONDELET$10,000
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY24–24, $150k) land where the poverty rate runs at 14%, against an area that typically sits at 11%. 100% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 11%COVENANT HOUSE CALIFORNIA: $150k → 14%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
04

Where the work is directed

The same grants placed two ways: where each recipient sits, and where its stated purpose sends the money.

About 29% of The Riordan Foundation’s grant dollars are earmarked for a different county than the recipient’s own address. By recipient address, 70% of the giving stays in CA; by stated purpose, 50%.

The Riordan Foundationlessmore of its giving
Placed by recipient address
How this is measured
Recipient view: each grant at its grantee’s ZIP, mapped to a county. Directed view: each grant at the county its stated purpose names, falling back to the recipient’s county when the purpose names no place; US grants only. A county shows only if it carries the top 95% of that view’s dollars. Purposes are read from the funder’s own 990 grant descriptions.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

82%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$3.5M · 9 repeat orgs$762k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +31% since the first grant, against +9% for those funded once.

9 repeat relationships: 4 still active in FY2024, 5 since wound down; 3 grantees were first funded in FY2024 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

9
19

Total granted

$3.5M
$572k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+31%
+9%

Still filing today

100%
79%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2024, 88% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $190k went to new ones.

50%100%’20’21’22’23’24
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’20’21’22’23’24
EducationHealthPhilanthropyArts & CultureInternationalHuman ServicesOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • SJ
    SAINT JOHN'S HEALTH CENTER FOUNDATION
    3× · 2022–2024 · $1.3M · revenue +22%
  • MS
    MOUNT SAINT MARY'S UNIVERSITY
    4× · 2020–2024 · $991k · revenue +10%
  • TS
    THRIVE SCHOLARS
    3× · 2020–2022 · $513k · revenue +152%

Funded once

  • TL
    THE LIBRARY FOUNDATION OF LOS ANGELES
    one grant, 2022 · $125k · revenue +22%
  • RH
    ROLLING HILLS PREPARATORY SCHOOL
    one grant, 2020 · $100k · revenue -33%
  • AG
    ALZHEIMERS GREATER LOS ANGELESgraduated
    one grant, 2021 · $50k · revenue +28%
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
University of La Verne

The university of la verne offers a distinctive and relevant educational experience to a diverse population of traditional-age, adult, and graduate learners, preparing them for successful careers and a commitment to lifelong learning…

Education
2
Association of California School Administrators

The association serves its members by creating resources that enable california school administrators to develop and apply creative leadership and management skills and in turn, improve the educational process for all students.

—
3
Los Angeles Pacific University

Los angeles pacific university exists to deliver high quality, accessible christ-centered education to learners everywhere.

Education
4
Westside Neighborhood School

Wns is committed to creating a deeply caring community of lifelong learners that nurtures students from diverse backgrounds to reach their full potential, develop cultural competency, and inspire the world with their curiosity, innovation,…

Education
5
Communities in Schools of Los Angeles Inc

To surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. we work with public school systems, establishing relationship with superintendents, principals, educators, and community partners to…

Youth Development
6
The Buckley School

The buckley school is a dynamic, nurturing learning community committed to equity and inclusion. our innovative teachers and challenging programs inspire creativity, courage, and collaboration. by promoting a balanced development of mind,…

—
7
The International School of San Francisco

Guided by the principles of academic rigor and diversity, the international school of san francisco offers programs of study in french and english to prepare its graduates for a world in which the ability to think critically and to…

Education
8
La Scuola International School

Inspire brave learners to shape the future.

Education
9
Los Angeles Mission College Foundation

The specific purpose for which the los angeles mission college foundation has been established is to advance the college's educational and cultural goals.

—
10
Crestview Preparatory School

We believe childhood is extraordinary. crestview culitivates academic excellence by nurturing individual potential, empowering students to learn joyfully and discover their unique talents within our caring community that fosters belonging.…

Education
11
The Seven Hills School

The institution provides educational instruction and activities to students ranging from preschool through 8th grade.

—
12
Crossroads School for Arts and Sciences

Crossroads is an independent school for approximately 1,200 students.

Education
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Saint John's Health Center Foundation; the most unlike its peers is Covenant House California. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
05the grantee network

31 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 31 of the 34 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

0
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
2
Early backer (in before they grew)
30/31
Grantees still filing
21/31
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

MOUNT SAINT MARY'S UNIVERSITY: $990,997 · EducationMOUNT SAINT MARY'S UNIVERSITYTHRIVE SCHOLARS: $512,500 · EducationTHRIVE SCHOLARSUCLA FOUNDATION: $450,000 · EducationUCLA FOUNDATIONTHE SEED SCHOOL OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY: $350,000 · EducationTHE SEED SCHOOL OF LOS ANGELES COUNTYTHE LIBRARY FOUNDATION OF LOS ANGELES: $125,000 · EducationALLIANCE COLLEGE-READY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION: $115,000 · EducationROLLING HILLS PREPARATORY SCHOOL: $100,000 · Education+8 more: $330,000 · Education+8 moreSAINT JOHN'S HEALTH CENTER FOUNDATION: $1,333,500 · HealthSAINT JOHN'S HEALTH CENTER FOUNDA…ALZHEIMERS GREATER LOS ANGELES: $50,000 · Health+1 more: $36,000 · HealthCOVENANT HOUSE CALIFORNIA: $150,000 · Human ServicesGreater Horizons: $50,000 · PhilanthropyCALIFORNIA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: $20,000 · PhilanthropyTHE MAYOR'S FUND FOR LOS ANGELES: $20,000 · PhilanthropyTHE LOS ANGELES POLICE ACADEMY MAGNET SCHOOL FOUNDATION: $10,000 · PhilanthropyLOS ANGELES POLICE RESERVE FOUNDATION: $25,000 · OtherCATHEDRAL OF OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS: $10,000 · OtherTHE JOHN THOMAS DYE SCHOOL: $10,000 · OtherTHE INNER-CITY FOUNDATION FOR CHARITY & EDUCATION INC: $10,000 · OtherSt Joseph's Health Support Alliance: $10,000 · OtherSSE DBA SAINT ANNE'S SHRINE: $10,000 · OtherSANTA MONICA FOURSQUARE CHURCH: $6,191 · OtherGEFFEN PLAYHOUSE INC: $30,000 · Arts & CultureLOS ANGELES MASTER CHORALE ASSOCIATION: $10,000 · Arts & CultureINTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CORPS: $30,000 · InternationalTHE SCGA FOUNDATION: $30,000 · Recreation & Sports
Education$2,973,497Health$1,419,500Human Services$150,000Philanthropy$100,000Other$81,191Arts & Culture$40,000International$30,000Recreation & Sports$30,000

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetSAINT JOHN'S HEALTH CENTER FOUNDATION: $1,333,500 over 3y, 2.8% of budgetMOUNT SAINT MARY'S UNIVERSITY: $990,997 over 4y, 0.3% of budgetTHRIVE SCHOLARS: $512,500 over 3y, 1.8% of budgetUCLA FOUNDATION: $450,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetTHE SEED SCHOOL OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY: $350,000 over 2y, 2.4% of budgetCOVENANT HOUSE CALIFORNIA: $150,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetTHE LIBRARY FOUNDATION OF LOS ANGELES: $125,000 over 1y, 1.6% of budgetALLIANCE COLLEGE-READY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION: $115,000 over 3y, 0.8% of budgetROLLING HILLS PREPARATORY SCHOOL: $100,000 over 1y, 0.8% of budgetPUENTE LEARNING CENTER: $75,000 over 2y, 0.9% of budgetLOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY: $60,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetLA'S BEST: $60,000 over 2y, 0.4% of budgetALZHEIMERS GREATER LOS ANGELES: $50,000 over 1y, 0.9% of budgetGreater Horizons: $50,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetHARVARD-WESTLAKE SCHOOL: $45,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetVISION TO LEARN: $36,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetGEFFEN PLAYHOUSE INC: $30,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetINTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CORPS: $30,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetPRESIDENT-BOARD OF TRUSTEES SANTA CLARA COLLEGE: $30,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE SCGA FOUNDATION: $30,000 over 1y, 0.8% of budgetLOS ANGELES POLICE RESERVE FOUNDATION: $25,000 over 1y, 6.2% of budgetTURNING POINT SCHOOL: $25,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetCALIFORNIA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: $20,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetWISEBURN EDUCATION FOUNDATION: $20,000 over 1y, 8.3% of budgetTHE MAYOR'S FUND FOR LOS ANGELES: $20,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetNEW ROADS SCHOOL: $15,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetTHE JOHN THOMAS DYE SCHOOL: $10,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetTHE INNER-CITY FOUNDATION FOR CHARITY & EDUCATION INC: $10,000 over 1y, 0.8% of budgetTHE LOS ANGELES POLICE ACADEMY MAGNET SCHOOL FOUNDATION: $10,000 over 1y, 6.1% of budgetSt Joseph's Health Support Alliance: $10,000 over 1y, 4.2% of budgetLOS ANGELES MASTER CHORALE ASSOCIATION: $10,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

California Community …The Ralph M Parsons F…Weingart FoundationThe Ahmanson Foundati…The Rose Hills Founda…Jewish Community Foun…Gs Donor Advised Phil…Joseph Drown Foundati…The Annenberg Foundat…Greater HorizonsThe Michael and Lori …Klm Foundation
California Community FoundationCA23.8× affinity11 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: California Community Foundation · The Ralph M Parsons Foundation · Weingart Foundation · The Ahmanson Foundation · The Rose Hills Foundation · Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles · Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund for Wealth Management Inc · Joseph Drown Foundation · The Annenberg Foundation · Greater Horizons · The Michael and Lori Milken Family Foundation · Klm Foundation

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization The Riordan Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from The Riordan Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 00%6%25%56%100%funder's share of their income ↑0%13%25%38%50%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    0get no government money at all
    7report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    ⤢ axis zoomed · 0–50%
    typical government reliance, FY20–25
    How this is measured
    Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.
    05Through Plinth

    Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

    How do I get to The Riordan Foundation?

    Find your warmest path to The Riordan Foundation through trustees and officers whose names appear on both boards. Search for your organization and Plinth traces the shortest route it can evidence.

    Each link is a name appearing on two organizations’ public IRS 990 filings, matched on that name and, where the filings support it, on location. A same-state match has geographic support, which is a second matching feature rather than confirmation that the two are one person; a cross-state one is the likeliest to be two people who share a name. Every hop shows its tier, low-confidence and distant paths are held back rather than guessed, and it is worth confirming the person before you use the introduction.

    On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 34 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

    How this is measured
    Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

    Generated from the IRS Form 990 e-file return for fiscal year 2024, released 2024. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

    Source object · view filing

    Play a game based on Riordan’s filings →

    More from the funding graph

    The unnamed billions
    grants reported with no recipient in the public record
    The regranting layer
    51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
    The DAF merry-go-round
    $9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
    The endowment market
    who holds foundation money, and what just moved
    The camps
    funders cluster by geography, not ideology
    By state
    where grant money is based, and what stays home