What Riley Children’s Foundation does

Riley Children's Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1921 and headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. It is the dedicated fundraising arm for Riley Children's Health, the pediatric arm of Indiana University Health and Indiana's only comprehensive pediatric health system. The foundation raises charitable contributions to fund pediatric talent recruitment and retention, behavioral and mental health services, a planned Pediatric Research Institute, equitable access programs, and family support services including Camp Riley. Its products and services span a structured giving portfolio — individual one-time and monthly donations, the Riley Society ($1,000+ donors), planned/legacy gifts, corporate partnerships and employer matching, specialty vehicles (cryptocurrency, stock, donor-advised funds, license plates, named wagons), and event-based fundraising including Dance Marathon programs at schools and the Women for Riley annual prom.

The foundation's underlying technology stack is intentionally light: a GoFundMe Classy-powered online donation portal, direct mail, phone operations, and OneCause as a fundraising software partner, with an owned 140,000-subscriber weekly newsletter and an active social footprint (Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, YouTube). It operates with fundraising cost efficiency under 21 cents per dollar — roughly one-third better than the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy average of 31 cents. Revenue mechanics are diversified across four primary streams (individual recurring/donation giving, corporate giving, planned giving, and specialty donations) with flagship corporate partners including Kroger (presenting sponsor of the Riley Champion program), the Ricks Family Foundation (planned gift match), and the Walther Cancer Institute (cancer donation match). The foundation's largest active initiative is the $300 million 'Every Child Deserves Riley' campaign, organized around five priority pillars. It also maintains the James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home in downtown Indianapolis as a cultural heritage asset.

Name

Riley Children’s Foundation

Legal name

Riley Children's Foundation

Website

https://rileykids.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1921

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Riley Children's Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1921 in Indianapolis that serves as the fundraising arm for Riley Children's Health (IU Health), raising donations to fund pediatric talent recruitment, behavioral health, research, access, and family support programs in Indiana and beyond.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pediatric Healthcare Philanthropy

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Maternal, Child & Family Health Program Funding (HLAJALAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH)

Keywords

• Pediatric healthcare fundraising
• Nonprofit foundation services
• Children's hospital philanthropy
• Planned giving programs
• Corporate giving partnerships

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individual supporters. Monthly giving program enables sustained support. Donors can give via online portal, mail, or phone.
2. Corporate Giving: Corporate partnerships, employer matching programs, and corporate-sponsored events. Companies can get involved through various partnership opportunities.
3. Planned Giving: Legacy gifts through wills, living trusts, and estate planning. Ricks Family Foundation Match available for planned gifts.
4. Specialty Donations: Cryptocurrency donations, stock and appreciated asset donations, donor-advised funds, Riley license plates, and named wagon programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Riley Children's Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit fundraising organization that solicits and manages charitable contributions to support Riley Children's Health, Indiana's premier pediatric healthcare system. The foundation operates the $300 million 'Every Child Deserves Riley' campaign, funding pediatric talent recruitment, behavioral health services, research, equitable access initiatives, and family support programs including Camp Riley. It offers multiple giving vehicles such as monthly giving, planned giving, Riley Society recognition, corporate partnerships, and specialty donations.

Product overview

Riley Children's Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1921 that serves as the fundraising arm for Riley Children's Health, Indiana's premier pediatric healthcare system affiliated with IU Health. The foundation operates a comprehensive portfolio of programs organized around its 'Every Child Deserves Riley' campaign targeting $300 million to transform children's health. Core priorities include recruiting and retaining world-class pediatric talent, expanding pediatric behavioral health services, establishing a research institute for discoveries and innovations, enhancing equitable access to Riley expertise, and delivering family support services including Camp Riley. The foundation offers multiple giving vehicles including monthly giving, planned giving, cryptocurrency donations, employer matching, and named tribute programs. Key advocacy programs include the Riley Champion patient ambassador program and Women for Riley giving circle. The foundation also maintains the James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home as part of its cultural heritage mission. Funding supports Riley Children's Health hospital programs, research initiatives, and family-centered care.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Riley Children's Health: The healthcare system affiliated with Riley Children's Foundation, operating Riley Hospital for Children as part of IU Health.
• Camp Riley
• Women for Riley
• James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home

Products and services

• Every Child Deserves Riley Campaign A comprehensive $300 million fundraising campaign to transform children's health through expanded mental health care, pediatric specialist recruitment, research discoveries, equitable access to Riley expertise, and family support services.
• Riley Society Individual giving recognition program at the $1,000+ level (or $84/month), recognizing major donors whose collective gifts help revolutionize care and seek cures at Riley Hospital for Children.
• Women for Riley A women's giving circle that hosts events and grants funds to Riley Children's Health. Since 2010, has granted over $2.2 million across 18 years, with $185,000 granted in 2026 alone.
• Camp Riley A residential camp program providing recreational experiences for children with health conditions, part of the foundation's family support services.
• Monthly Giving Program Recurring monthly donation option allowing donors to provide consistent support for Riley children and families throughout the year.
• Planned Giving Legacy giving options including wills, living trusts, and estate plans enabling donors to make meaningful gifts to benefit Indiana children, with Ricks Family Foundation matching available.
• Corporate Giving Program Corporate partnerships, employer matching programs, employee giving campaigns, and event sponsorship opportunities for businesses supporting children's health in Indiana.
• Employer Matching Program Program allowing employees to have their charitable donations matched by their employer to maximize impact on Riley's mission.
• Cryptocurrency Donation Program Acceptance of cryptocurrency donations as an alternative giving method.
• Riley License Plates Indiana specialty license plate program enabling drivers to show support for Riley while making a contribution.
• Name a Red Wagon Tribute giving program allowing donors to name a red wagon at Riley Hospital as a symbolic gift.
• Riley Champion Program Annual program recognizing and celebrating Riley patients who demonstrate resilience and contribute meaningfully to their communities despite health challenges.
• Riley Art Therapy Program Donor-funded art therapy services for pediatric patients and their families, providing creative activities to support emotional well-being during treatment.
• James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home Historic museum home owned by Riley Children's Foundation in downtown Indianapolis, perpetuating the legacy of namesake Hoosier poet James Whitcomb Riley.

Quantifiable outcome

• Women for Riley granted $2.2 million to Riley Children's Health since 2010
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, minor and core.

• KrogerflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerKroger is the presenting sponsor of the 2026 Riley Champion program. This flagship partnership highlights Kroger's commitment to children's health through recognition of exceptional Riley patients.
• New Shoe DayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNew Shoe Day provides new shoes for patients attending the Women for Riley annual prom event, supporting the patient experience and creating memorable moments.
• The Children's Museum of IndianapoliscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for the Women for Riley annual prom, providing exclusive museum access for over 1,200 attendees. Long-standing partnership supporting pediatric patient experiences.
• Indiana University HealthflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerRiley Children's Health and Riley Hospital for Children are part of the Indiana University Health system. Foundation raises funds exclusively for this pediatric health system.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• St. Jude Children's Research Hospital / ALSAC: ALSAC is the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the largest pediatric cancer charity in the US. Directly comparable mission, fundraising model, and donor base to Riley Children's Foundation.
• Children's Miracle Network Hospitals: A nonprofit that raises funds for 170+ children's hospitals across North America, including member hospitals that compete with Riley. Uses Dance Marathon and corporate partnership programs structurally similar to Riley's GTM.
• Ronald McDonald House Charities: National nonprofit supporting families of sick children through housing and family-centered services adjacent to pediatric hospitals. Shares donor demographics, event-driven fundraising, and corporate partnerships (McDonald's) with Riley.
• Cincinnati Children's Hospital Foundation: Fundraising arm of Cincinnati Children's, a peer academic pediatric health system in the Midwest. Closely comparable mission, donor base, and capital-campaign structure to Riley Children's Foundation.
• Nationwide Children's Hospital Foundation: Fundraising arm of Nationwide Children's Hospital, a major pediatric health system with a large pediatric research footprint. Similar capital campaign, donor society, and community fundraising model.
• Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Foundation: Fundraising arm of CHOP, one of the nation's top-ranked pediatric hospitals. Closely comparable donor society, planned giving, and major-gift programs serving pediatric research and family support.
• Peyton Manning Children's Hospital (Ascension St. Vincent): Indiana-based competing pediatric hospital and its fundraising efforts. Directly competes with Riley Children's Health for Indiana pediatric patients, donors, and corporate sponsorships within the same geography.
• Children's Health Foundation (Oklahoma): Regional children's hospital foundation raising money for pediatric specialty care and research. Comparable donor society, community events, and capital-campaign structure to Riley's model.

Broad incumbents

• Make-A-Wish Foundation: Larger established national nonprofit focused on wishes for children with critical illnesses. Overlaps in donor demographics, corporate sponsors, and event-driven fundraising with Riley Children's Foundation, though mission (wishes vs. medical care funding) differs.

Others

• IU Health Foundation: Parent system-level fundraising arm for Indiana University Health. Sister foundation within the broader IU Health system, raising funds that can complement or compete with Riley's pediatric-specific asks.

Market position

Weaknesses2 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/rileykids
• YouTubeyoutube.com/rileykidsvideo
• Facebookfacebook.com/RileyKids
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/riley-children's-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/rileykids/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Riley Children’s Foundation