Chuan Lyu Foundation - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

• EIN: 58-6203563
• Founded: 1986
• Annual Giving: $1,031,729 (2024)
• Total Assets: $282,550 (2024)
• Geographic Focus: International (Taiwan, United States, United Kingdom)
• Application Process: Does not accept unsolicited applications - invitation only
• Foundation Type: Private non-operating foundation

Contact Details

Address: P.O. Box 1294, Menlo Park, CA 94026-1294

Phone: 650-462-1887

Email: river-flow@msn.com

Website: river-flow.org

Overview

The Chuan Lyu Foundation was founded in 1986 by Dr. Hwalin Lee, a Taiwanese-American philanthropist based in Palo Alto, California. The foundation's name "Chuan Lyu" translates to "river flow" in Taiwanese, symbolizing "flowing rivers never cease" - a metaphor for cultural continuity and preservation. With current assets of $282,550 (down from over $8 million in 2011), the foundation made charitable disbursements of $1,031,729 in 2024, representing 99.9% of total expenses. The foundation was created to counteract decades of cultural suppression under Japanese and Chinese nationalist rule and to help revive Taiwanese cultural identity. The foundation operates as a private, independent foundation focused exclusively on educational and cultural programs related to Taiwan and Taiwanese culture worldwide.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Chuan Lyu Foundation operates through targeted, pre-selected grant-making rather than open grant programs. Known supported programs include:

Academic Endowments and Lectureships

• Chuan Lyu Endowed Chair in Taiwan Studies at UC San Diego (ongoing endowment supporting faculty position)
• Chuan Lyu Annual Lecture Series at University of Cambridge Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (running for over 30 years)
• Chuan Lyu Fellowship at University of Cambridge
• Senior Visiting Scholarship at University of Cambridge
• Chuan Lyu Taiwan Literature Writer-in-Residence Project at National Taiwan University's Graduate Institute of Taiwan Literature

Cultural Programming

• Taiwan Film Festivals at universities including Stanford, UC Berkeley, Brigham Young University, and University of Washington
• Northern California Taiwanese Cultural Festivals (1993-1995)
• Support for individual artists and cultural performers

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses exclusively on:

• Taiwan Studies academic programs - lectureships, endowed chairs, fellowships, and scholarships at major universities
• Taiwanese cultural preservation - film festivals, cultural festivals, and cultural events
• Scholar exchanges - facilitating academic collaboration between Taiwan and the West
• Environmental conservation in Taiwan - contributing to environmental initiatives
• Taiwanese language and literature - supporting programs and research
• Historical documentation - preserving Taiwanese history and supporting political activists fighting oppression

What They Don't Fund

Based on their narrow mission focus, the foundation does not fund:

• Organizations or programs unrelated to Taiwan or Taiwanese culture
• General operating expenses of unrelated nonprofits
• Individual students (grants go to institutions to establish programs)
• Projects outside the cultural, educational, and environmental sectors
• Organizations seeking first-time grants through unsolicited applications

Governance and Leadership

Founder and Chairman: Dr. Hwalin Lee

Dr. Lee serves as the foundation's manager with no compensation reported. He founded the organization in 1986 with a personal commitment to preserving Taiwanese culture and identity. In his own words: "I feel it is very important to contribute to society... Don't wait, or you may never do it." Dr. Lee believes in contributing early and consistently, establishing long-term partnerships with institutions rather than one-off grants.

The foundation operates with minimal overhead - in 2024, no officer compensation was reported, allowing virtually all resources to go directly to charitable purposes.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Chuan Lyu Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. According to IRS filings, the foundation "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

The foundation operates through:

• Pre-selected partnerships with established institutions
• Long-term commitments such as endowed chairs and annual lecture series
• Founder discretion in identifying projects aligned with the mission
• Existing relationships in the Taiwan studies and Taiwanese-American communities

Getting on Their Radar

While the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, organizations working in Taiwan studies or Taiwanese cultural preservation may become known to the foundation through:

• Taiwan Studies academic networks - The foundation has deep connections with Taiwan Studies programs at major universities including Cambridge, UC San Diego, National Taiwan University, and Columbia University
• Taiwanese-American community events - The foundation has supported Taiwanese American Citizens' League and cultural festivals in Northern California
• Taiwan cultural sector - Projects in Taipei have received support, particularly those focused on cultural preservation
• Academic conferences on Taiwan studies - Where the foundation's supported scholars and programs are present

Given Dr. Lee's hands-on approach and the foundation's focus on long-term institutional partnerships rather than individual grants, relationship-building in the Taiwan studies academic community and Taiwanese cultural preservation sector appears to be the primary pathway to foundation awareness.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation does not have an open application process with decision cycles. Funding decisions are made at the discretion of the founder based on identified opportunities aligned with the mission.

Success Rates

Not applicable given the invitation-only nature of the foundation's grant-making.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - organizations do not apply or reapply to this foundation through a formal process.

Application Success Factors

While there is no formal application process, understanding what has historically received support provides insight into the foundation's priorities:

Characteristics of Funded Projects:

1. Long-term institutional partnerships - The foundation favors establishing enduring programs (30+ year Cambridge lecture series, endowed chairs) rather than one-time grants

2. Academic rigor and prestige - Support goes to leading universities (Cambridge, UC San Diego, National Taiwan University, Columbia) with established or growing Taiwan studies programs

3. Cultural authenticity - Dr. Lee's stated goal is to "bring the Taiwanese culture back to people's consciousness," favoring programs that authentically represent Taiwanese history and culture

4. Multiple impact pathways - Funded programs often combine education, research, and public engagement (lecture series, film festivals, writer-in-residence programs)

5. Connection to Taiwanese diaspora communities - Support for organizations serving Taiwanese-Americans and connecting diaspora communities with Taiwan

Founder's Stated Values:

• Early and consistent giving rather than waiting
• Contributing to society as an ongoing practice
• Supporting those who "fought against oppression"
• Reviving cultural identity after suppression

Recent Focus Areas (based on Cambridge lecture topics 2022-2025):

• Religion and material culture in Taiwan
• Tea culture and traditions
• Popular religion and divination practices
• Women's experiences and gender in Taiwan
• Contemporary Taiwanese society

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is not an open grant-making foundation - Do not submit unsolicited proposals; the foundation only funds pre-selected organizations
• Focus on relationship-building in Taiwan studies academic networks if your organization works in this space
• Long-term institutional partnerships are preferred over project-based grants
• Academic programs receive priority - endowed chairs, lectureships, fellowships, and scholarships at universities
• Cultural preservation and authenticity matter deeply to the founder's mission
• The foundation is spending down assets - total assets declined from $8.25M (2011) to $282,550 (2024) while maintaining high charitable disbursements
• Taiwanese connection is essential - all funded work relates to Taiwan, Taiwanese culture, or Taiwan studies

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Chuan Lyu Foundation (EIN: 58-6203563), Form 990-PF filings 2011-2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/586203563 (Accessed February 11, 2026)

• Taiwanese American History Project - "The Chuan Lyu Foundation 川流基金會" http://taiwaneseamericanhistory.org/blog/the-chuan-lyu-foundation/ (Accessed February 11, 2026)

• Chuan Lyu Foundation website. http://river-flow.org/chuanlyufoundation9.php (Accessed February 11, 2026)

• University of Cambridge Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies - Chuan Lyu Lectures in Taiwan Studies (2022-2025). https://www.ames.cam.ac.uk/ (Accessed February 11, 2026)

• UC San Diego - "About - Center for Taiwan Studies" including information on Chuan Lyu Endowed Chair. https://taiwan.ucsd.edu/about/index.html (Accessed February 11, 2026)

• Candid Foundation Directory - Chuan Lyu Foundation Profile. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=LEEF005 (Accessed February 11, 2026)

• GuideStar Profile - Chuan Lyu Foundation. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/58-6203563 (Accessed February 11, 2026)