 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| The Riordan Foundation |
| 1981-2007 |
| |
|
Founder: |
Richard J. Riordan (Lawyer, Businessman, former Mayor of L.A., former California Secretary for Education) |
Focus: |
Technology, leadership development, and
school choice. |
Mission: |
To provide all students, especially those
in low-income communities, with access to a high-qualityeducation
that will prepare them to compete successfully in the 21st
century. |
Giving: |
$45.2 million in grants distributed |
| |
24,710 computers delivered to 2,124 schools
in 40 states |
| |
162,750 books purchased for classroom libraries
|
| |
| Early Childhood Literacy |
| Most of The Riordan Foundation’s
resources have funded computer-assisted literacy
programs for K-5 children. Through “Rx for Reading”,
its independent 501(c)(3) organization, the Foundation
has awarded grants for the following programs: |
| |
| Computers in the Classroom
- distributed 1,897 computers along with software
for classroom learning for grades K-5 at 122 schools.
To celebrate The Riordan Foundation’s 25th Anniversary,
a special wireless laptop grant was offered to
public and parochial schools in 2006. A total
of 55 laptops were granted to 4 schools through
this special initiative. |
| |
| English Language Development
Program - supports oral skills in limited-English
speaking students using technology and instructional
software. Program distributed 1,369 computers
serving 109 schools and nonprofits. |
| |
| KidType - motivates
fourth graders to learn keyboarding skills after
school with a take-home computer incentive. This
award-winning program has distributed 3,770 refurbished
computers since its inception. |
| |
| Recreational Reading
Mini-Grants - launched in 1993, this
program has donated $2 million in book grants
at $1,000 each to individual teachers to establish
classroom lending libraries. In 2006, Rx for Reading
awarded $75,00 in book grants to 75 elementary
schools in the Los Angeles County. |
| |
| Waterford Early Reading
Program - an innovative, computer-based
individualized reading program for kindergarden,
first and second graders. In partnership with
many generous donors, the grant has provided 196
computers to 15 schools. |
| |
| IBM-Riordan Young Explorers
Program - celebrating The Riordan Foundation's
20th Anniversary, this program, in partnership
with IBM, provided computer-based learning activities
for pre-schoolers on bright, friendly hardware
created by Little Tikes (enclosing the IBM PC)
and a 2-seater bench to encourage children to
work and learn together. Offered exclusively in
2001, the grant provided 47 computers at 29 schools,
childcare centers, clinics, and nonprofits. |
| |
Writing to Read/Upgrades - a computer-assisted reading and writing program for K-1 students serving 1,500 schools with 17,376 computers. This was our signature program until 2000. |
|
| Youth and Leadership Development |
| The Riordan Foundation also supports
non-profit agencies with direct grants that support
the education and well-being of children, youth
and their families, and that nurture future leaders. |
| |
| Agency Grants
- provides general operating grants for youth-serving
agencies through invitation only. Some grantees
include LA’s BEST After School Enrichment Program,
Boys & Girls Clubs, and PUENTE Learning Center. |
| |
| The Riordan Programs
at UCLA - career-based outreach programs
that introduce minority high school and college
students, and recent college graduates, to the
worlds of business and law. Launched in 1987,
this program has served over 1,800 students. Notable
graduates include former Mayor of San Fernando
Silverio Robledo; Noberta Noguera, general manager
at Pacific Bell; and Jarrod Fong, vice president
for JP Morgan. |
| |
| Riordan Volunteer Leadership
Development Program - trains young professionals
for service on the boards of nonprofit organizations.
Since 1990, 31 graduations produced more than
600 leaders. Notable graduates include Pete Manzo,
director of the Center for Nonprofit Management,
and Martha Saucedo, Community Relations Manager
for the STAPLES Center. |
| |
Center for Service & Action/Riordan Community Service
Awards - honors exceptional undergraduate
students who have volunteered countless hours
of community service with $1,000 awards. The
Center, located at Loyola Marymount University,
provides students community service opportunities
and supplies faculty with a resource to facilitate
service learning. The Riordan Community Service
Awards have honored 127 students. |
|
|
Return to top
|
|