Rivian Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $188,119 (2023 tax year, most recent available data)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: Primarily United States
• Application Method: No public application process

Contact Details

Website: rivianfoundation.org

Address: Irvine, CA

Note: The foundation does not list a public contact email or phone number for grant inquiries on their website.

Overview

The Rivian Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) private foundation established in November 2021 when electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian dedicated 1% of its equity at the time of its IPO to create a philanthropic platform. The foundation's mission is to safeguard a healthy planet so future generations can experience a world rich in abundance, wonder, and adventure. The foundation is led by RJ Scaringe (Founder and CEO of Rivian) and Anisa Kamadoli Costa (Chief Sustainability Officer at Rivian, serving as Foundation President), and focuses on environmental conservation, clean energy equity, and supporting Indigenous and underserved communities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Application Method: No public application process

Priority Areas

The foundation organises its grantmaking around two core pillars:

1. Safeguarding a Healthy Planet

• Local stewardship of healthy lands and waters
• Equitable access to nature for underserved communities
• Natural climate solutions (ocean-based solutions, urban tree canopy expansion, native habitat restoration, tribal carbon sequestration projects, fungal ecosystem protection)
• Watershed and river restoration
• Wildlife and biodiversity protection

2. Advancing Better Energy for All

• Clean energy solutions prioritising reliability, affordability, and community access
• Supporting tribal renewable energy deployment that combats poverty, tackles climate change, and enhances self-determination
• Helping underserved U.S. communities access clean energy benefits including cost savings and green jobs
• Clean energy projects in rural East Africa
• Responsible sourcing of transition minerals essential for clean energy technology

Cross-cutting priorities:

• Community-led conservation and land stewardship
• Youth environmental engagement and leadership
• Indigenous-led initiatives and tribal nations support
• Urban reforestation and green space creation
• Environmental justice

What They Don't Fund

The foundation has not published explicit exclusions, but their focus areas clearly centre on environmental conservation and clean energy equity. Organisations outside these areas are unlikely to be considered.

Governance and Leadership

Leadership:

RJ Scaringe has articulated the foundation's long-term vision, stating: "we work really hard to drive back to our central vision around helping develop and build the world for our kids' kids' kids." The foundation was born from his vision to ensure future generations inherit a planet rich in natural beauty, abundance, and adventure.

The foundation seeks to ensure that underrepresented communities not only benefit from but lead the transformation to a sustainable and clean energy economy.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Rivian Foundation does not have a public application process. Grant decisions appear to be made at the discretion of the board of trustees. The foundation does not provide application forms, deadlines, or guidelines on its website.

Organisations interested in the foundation's support should note that grants are awarded through invitation or board-initiated processes rather than through open calls for proposals.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's stated priorities, organisations that align with the foundation's mission may be identified through:

• Sector leadership and visibility: The foundation's focus on established areas of environmental conservation and clean energy suggests they track organisations across the ecosystem
• Tribal and Indigenous networks: The foundation's stated commitment to tribal clean energy and Indigenous-led conservation indicates active engagement with tribal communities and Indigenous organisations
• Environmental and clean energy networks: Given the foundation's connection to Rivian's sustainability mission, the foundation likely identifies grantees through established environmental and sustainability networks
• Geographic focus areas: The foundation indicates a primary focus on the United States with some international work, particularly in East Africa

Note: Without a public application process, building relationships within environmental conservation and clean energy sectors, particularly those involving equity and Indigenous leadership, may be the most viable path to consideration.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. The foundation appears to make grants on a rolling or discretionary basis rather than through fixed cycles.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. With no public application process, traditional success rate metrics do not apply.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to absence of public application process.

Application Success Factors

Since the Rivian Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, organisations should focus on:

Alignment with foundation values:

• The foundation prioritises work that ensures future generations inherit a healthy planet "rich in abundance, wonder, and adventure"
• Community-led and Indigenous-led initiatives appear particularly valued based on stated priorities
• Multi-benefit approaches combining environmental protection with social equity

Strategic positioning:

• The foundation's dual focus on environmental outcomes AND equity/access for underserved or Indigenous communities
• Indigenous leadership is explicitly prioritised in the foundation's stated mission
• The foundation's scope extends well beyond transportation to encompass comprehensive environmental stewardship

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process: This foundation operates on an invitation-only or trustee-discretion model; building visibility in environmental conservation and clean energy sectors is essential
• Dual focus required: Competitive organisations must address both environmental outcomes AND equity/access for underserved or Indigenous communities
• Indigenous leadership prioritised: The foundation's stated priorities reflect a clear commitment to tribal and Indigenous-led initiatives
• Beyond vehicles: While founded by an EV company, the foundation's scope extends well beyond transportation to encompass comprehensive environmental stewardship
• Limited financial data: As a relatively new foundation (established 2021), publicly available financial data is limited; the most recent 990 filing shows total expenses of $188,119 for the 2023 tax year

References

• Rivian Foundation Official Website
• Rivian Foundation - What We Fund
• Rivian Foundation - Clean Energy Solutions
• Rivian Foundation - Natural Climate Solutions
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: Rivian Foundation
• Rivian Stories: The Rivian Foundation Launch

Research completed December 22, 2025