The Riley Foundation
Accepts applications
The Riley Foundation is a private foundation in Meridian, Mississippi. In tax year 2025 it gave $977,827 in 20 grants. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
The grants listed in this filing add up to more than the total it reports, so grant sizes may be wrong. Check the filing.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$977,827
- Number of grants20
- Assets$103 million
- New grantees25%
Giving in 2025 was up from $856,200 the year before.
25% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $6.5 million | 23 | $83.9 million |
| 2024 | $856,200 | 23 | $95.5 million |
| 2025 | $977,827 | 20 | $103 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Jan Riley 4518 Poplar Springs Drive, Meridian, MS 39305 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (601) 481-1430, jan@rileyfoundation.org |
| What to submit | Applications are only available online and must be submitted through the foundation's website www.rileyfoundation.org |
| Deadlines | Refer to website |
| Restrictions | The foundation's primary focus is healthcare, education, cultural, environmental and economic conditions for the people of meridian and lauderdale county ms. |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What The Riley Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 2 states, the most to Mississippi.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | 19 | $3.7 million |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $850 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ms State University Foundation | Program /summer intern/scholarship/p | $2.9 million |
| Mississippi Children's Museum | Construction/exhibits/summer intern | $529,000 |
| Ms Arts & Entertainment | Exhibits/summer intern program | $129,000 |
| Meridian Art Association | Summer int program,operating,library | $64,000 |
| Multi-County Community Service | Homeless outreach/snap assistance | $60,000 |
| Love Inc | Operating expenses,snap benefit susp | $20,000 |
| Free Clinic of Meridian | Summer intern program,operating | $14,000 |
| Meridian Symphony Association | Summer intern,program concert series | $12,500 |
| Meridian Naval Air Station | Wings over meridian | $5,000 |
| Boy Scouts of America | Summer intern program | $4,000 |
| Ms Methodist Senior Services | Summer intern program | $4,000 |
| Community Foundation of East Ms | Summer intern program | $4,000 |
| MCC Foundation | Summer intern program-"anastasia" | $4,000 |
| Ms Jr Miss Program | Summer intern program | $4,000 |
| State Games of Mississippi | Summer intern program | $4,000 |
| City of Meridian Housing Authority | Summer intern program | $4,000 |
| Meridian Rails Historical Society | Summer intern program | $4,000 |
| United Way of East Ms | Summer intern program | $4,000 |
| Meridian Restorations Foundation | Summer intern program | $4,000 |
| Exponent Philanthropy | Operating support | $850 |
Officers and trustees
- Lindy R Deen
- Marty Davidson
- Malcolm Portera
- Becky G Farley
- Christine Riley
- Gail Riley
- Manny Mitchell
- Richard F Riley Jr
- Wayne Henson
- William W Simmons
- Tommy Dulaney
Questions people ask
Does The Riley Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: Refer to website.
How much does The Riley Foundation give?
$977,827 in tax year 2025, across 20 grants.
Who runs The Riley Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Lindy R Deen (Director), Marty Davidson (Chairman/Ceo), Malcolm Portera (Vp/Secretary) and Becky G Farley (Exec. Direct) among 11 officers and trustees.
What does The Riley Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, arts and culture and youth programs.