GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY FOUNDATION

EIN: 953374645 501(c)(3) Science & Technology

LOS ANGELES, CA

Total Revenue
$2,034,630
Total Expenses
$2,354,667
Total Assets
$2,408,739
Net Assets
$2,265,190
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Financial Vulnerability Assessment (Tuckman-Chang)

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Financial Trends

Organization Details

Formation Year
1978
Legal Domicile
CA
Principal Officer
DAVID PRIMES
Phone
2134730879
Tax Period
2025-01-01 to 2025-12-31

GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY FOUNDATION, founded in 1978, is a community nonprofit in the Science & Technology sector that reported $2.0M in total revenue in fiscal year 2025. Revenue grew 8% year-over-year, indicating healthy expansion. Expenses of $2.4M exceeded revenue, resulting in a 16% operating deficit.

Mission

TO SUPPORT AND PROMOTE GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY AS A HOME FOR SCIENCE LITERACY, EDUCATION, AND PUBLIC ASTRONOMY THROUGH RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND ADVOCACY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COMMUNITY.

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1
Expenses: $614,991

EXPANDED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AT THE OBSERVATORY AND BEYOND - GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY FOUNDATION PROVIDES RESOURCES FOR GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY TO DEVELOP EDUCATIONAL EXHIBITS IN OUR ICONIC FACILITY AND...

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EXPANDED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AT THE OBSERVATORY AND BEYOND - GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY FOUNDATION PROVIDES RESOURCES FOR GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY TO DEVELOP EDUCATIONAL EXHIBITS IN OUR ICONIC FACILITY AND PROGRAMS THAT OFFER SCIENCE EDUCATION TO AUDIENCES BEYOND LOS ANGELES. IN 2025, THE FOUNDATION LED A MAJOR EFFORT TO FUND THE DESIGN AND FABRICATION OF A MONUMENTAL NEW EXHIBIT, THE CELESTIAL GLOBE. INSPIRED BY THE CELESTIAL SPHERE HELD BY THE SECOND-CENTURY ROMAN SCULPTURE KNOWN AS THE FARNESE ATLAS, THE CELESTIAL GLOBE SPOTLIGHTS THE LINK BETWEEN ANCIENT SKIES AND MODERN ASTRONOMY. IT IS THE FIRST MAJOR EXHIBIT TO BE INSTALLED AT GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY IN OVER 19 YEARS. THE FOUNDATION ALSO SUPPORTED THE LAUNCH OF GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY PASSPORTSFREE, ON-SITE ACTIVITY BOOKLETS THAT GUIDE VISITORS AND FAMILIES THROUGH THE OBSERVATORY'S INSTRUMENTS AND EXHIBITS. THE FOUNDATION SUSTAINS SPECIALIZED STAFFING AND TECHNOLOGY THAT POWER GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY'S DYNAMIC ONLINE PRESENCE AND LIVE BROADCASTING, EXPANDING GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY'S INTERNATIONAL REACH. SUPPORTING THE OBSERVATORY'S BROADCAST TEAM TO COVER LIVE ASTRONOMICAL EVENTS, THE FOUNDATION FUNDED THE JOURNEY TO CHIMNEY ROCK, COLORADO, IN OCTOBER 2025, FOR A LIVE BROADCAST OF A MAJOR LUNAR STANDSTILL EVENT AT A PREHISTORIC PUEBLO SITE. THE FOUNDATION ALSO FUNDED THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW, FREE, DOWNLOADABLE MINECRAFT MAP, WHICH ALLOWS PLAYERS TO EXPLORE A VIRTUAL VERSION OF THE BUILDING AND ITS GROUNDS.

Program 2
Expenses: $545,643 Revenue: $0

SCHOOL PROGRAM: EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION - GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY FOUNDATION FULLY FUNDS ALL STAFFING, MATERIALS, AND EQUIPMENT FOR GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY'S FIFTH-GRADE IN-PERSON AND ONLINE SCHOOL...

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SCHOOL PROGRAM: EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION - GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY FOUNDATION FULLY FUNDS ALL STAFFING, MATERIALS, AND EQUIPMENT FOR GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY'S FIFTH-GRADE IN-PERSON AND ONLINE SCHOOL PROGRAMS. THESE FREE S.T.E.M. (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS) EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES ARE DESIGNED TO MEET CALIFORNIA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION SCIENCE STANDARDS. IN 2025, THE PROGRAMS SERVED: - 28,000 FIFTH-GRADE STUDENTS AT GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY. - 40,000 STUDENTS THROUGH THE ONLINE PROGRAM, WHICH IS DELIVERED LIVE BY OBSERVATORY STAFF, REACHING CLASSROOMS BEYOND LOS ANGELES. TO ENSURE THAT FINANCIAL BARRIERS NEVER STAND IN THE WAY OF LEARNING, THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS TO ELIGIBLE SCHOOLS FOR TRANSPORTATION COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH VISITING GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY'S IN-PERSON SCHOOL PROGRAM. IN 2025, THE FOUNDATION AWARDED A RECORD NUMBER OF BUS SCHOLARSHIPS TO TITLE I SCHOOLS FROM ACROSS LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

Program 3
Expenses: $315,978 Revenue: $23,215

SUPPORTING NINE DECADES OF PUBLIC ASTRONOMY - TO COMMEMORATE GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY'S 90TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2025, THE FOUNDATION ORGANIZED A SERIES OF PROGRAMS, EVENTS, AND SPECIAL INITIATIVES. ON MAY...

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SUPPORTING NINE DECADES OF PUBLIC ASTRONOMY - TO COMMEMORATE GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY'S 90TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2025, THE FOUNDATION ORGANIZED A SERIES OF PROGRAMS, EVENTS, AND SPECIAL INITIATIVES. ON MAY 14, 2025, ELECTED OFFICIALS REPRESENTING THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES, STUDENTS, BENEFACTORS, STAFF, VOLUNTEERS, FRIENDS, AND HONORED GUESTS GATHERED ON THE NORTH STEPS OF THE OBSERVATORY FOR SPEECHES AND PROGRAMMING HONORING THE HISTORY OF THE OBSERVATORY AND ITS IMPACT IN THE COMMUNITY. IN OCTOBER, THE FOUNDATION PRESENTED TWO SOLD-OUT SCREENINGS OF THE CLASSIC FILM REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE FILMED AT GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY IN 1955. THE FOUNDATION ALSO INVESTED IN A DOCUMENTARY FILM PROJECT TO CAPTURE THE PERSONAL STORIES OF DOZENS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE PLAYED LEADING ROLES AT THE INSTITUTION OVER THE PAST NINE DECADES. RECOGNIZING GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY'S HISTORY AND THE IMPORTANCE OF PRESERVING ITS LEGACY, THE FOUNDATION LAUNCHED A MULTI-PHASED INSTITUTIONAL ARCHIVE PROJECT. IN 2025, THE FOUNDATION FULLY COMPLETED PHASE ONE OF A FIVE-YEAR PLAN TO CATALOG AND PRESERVE THE OBSERVATORY'S EXTENSIVE ARCHIVE. AN EXPERIENCED PROCESSING ARCHIVIST WAS ENGAGED TO SURVEY THE ARCHIVE AND CREATE A COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY FOR ITS LONG-TERM MANAGEMENT.

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Trantor Score

Financial Health Score (300–850) · Liquidity · Solvency · Sustainability · Efficiency

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Liquidity (40%) • Solvency (30%) • Sustainability (20%) • Efficiency (10%)

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Financial Overview (2025)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $1,923,313
Program Service Revenue $23,215
Investment Income $88,102
Other Revenue $0
TOTAL REVENUE $2,034,630

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $852,653
Salaries & Benefits $1,150,647
Fundraising Expenses $404,605
Program Expenses $1,476,612
Other Expenses $351,367
TOTAL EXPENSES $2,354,667

Year-over-Year Comparison

2025 2024 Change
Revenue $2,034,630 $1,876,983 +0.1%
Expenses $2,354,667 $2,740,296 -0.1%
Net Income $-320,037 $-863,313 -0.6%
Key Indicators
Grants to Organizations Grants to Individuals Lobbying Political Activity Foreign Activities Donor Advised Fund Schedule B Required
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Governance

Voting Members
17
Independent Members
17
Employees
14
Volunteers
39

Governance Policies

Conflict of Interest Policy
Whistleblower Policy
Document Retention Policy

Special Practices & Reported Activities

Operated a School
Operated a Hospital
Provided First Class Travel
Reported Conflict of Interest
Reported Asset Diversion
Excess Benefit Transaction
Made Political Expenditures
Engaged in Lobbying
Operated Donor Advised Fund
Maintained Art Collections
Filed Form 720

Compensation of Officers, Directors & Key Employees

Total Officers
5
$139,373
Total Directors
18
$0
Key Employees
0
$0
Highest Compensated
2
reported
Name Title Hours/Week Role Reportable Comp Other Comp Total
DANISH KHAN PRESIDENT 4.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
EVE HABERFIELD VICE PRESIDENT 2.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
TRICIA NELSON SECRETARY 2.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
DAVID PRIMES TREASURER 2.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
SHANA BARGHOUTI BOARD MEMBER 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
TERRI BLOOMGARDEN BOARD MEMBER 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
ANDRE BORMANIS BOARD MEMBER 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
CHRISTINA DEL VILLAR BOARD MEMBER 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
ETHAN ELLER BOARD MEMBER 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
IRFAN FURNITUREWALA BOARD MEMBER 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
ALAN KAYE BOARD MEMBER 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
VICKE SELK BOARD MEMBER 2.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
RICH SEMLER BOARD MEMBER 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
GRADY SMITH BOARD MEMBER 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
SAMIRA SOHAIL BOARD MEMBER 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JORDAN STERNLIEB BOARD MEMBER 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MCKINLEY TENNYSON BOARD MEMBER 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
CHARLES WILMOT BOARD MEMBER (THRU 03/2025) 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
ELIZABETH GREENWAY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (AS OF 03/2025) 40.00
Officer
$118,307 $21,066 $139,373
BENJAMIN ROUDENIS DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 40.00
Highest
$129,659 $13,982 $143,641
TROY POWERS PROGRAM PRODUCTION ENGINEER 40.00
Highest
$101,254 $10,454 $111,708
Note: Compensation data is self-reported by the organization on their Form 990. "Reportable Comp" includes salary, bonuses, and other reportable compensation from the organization and related organizations. "Other Comp" includes benefits, deferred compensation, and non-taxable benefits.

Historical Data

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Net Income
2025 $2,034,630 $2,354,667 $2,408,739 $-320,037
2024 $1,876,983 $2,740,296 $2,706,486 $-863,313
2023 $3,665,677 $2,442,842 $3,508,059 $1,222,835
2022 $1,729,095 $1,648,453 $2,279,624 $80,642
2021 $2,113,210 $1,144,353 $2,601,941 $968,857
2020 $993,493 $1,825,639 $1,634,635 $-832,146
2019 $4,646,756 $3,529,022 $2,253,399 $1,117,734
2018 $2,538,513 $2,737,066 $1,451,085 $-198,553
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