The Riley Children's Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in 1921 as the Riley Memorial Association with the intentions of constructing a children's hospital. The Foundation's fundraising efforts have allowed for the hospital to flourish and for Indiana families to receive the benefits of free medical care.
The Riley Memorial Association was founded in 1921 to honor beloved Hoosier poet James Whitcomb Riley. The group's first project was to purchase Riley's Lockerbie neighborhood home, where the poet lived during the last 23 years of his life. After opening the home to the public, the group went on to build Riley Hospital for Children and open Camp Riley for Youth with Physical Disabilities. Riley Hospital opened its doors and received its first patient in 1924. Camp Riley has operated since 1955. The hospital, camp and museum home are projects supported and sustained through the fundraising efforts of Riley Children's Foundation.
Riley Children’s Foundation is committed to improving the health and well-being of children through philanthropic leadership in support of Riley Hospital for Children and its research programs.