Rivian Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $10+ million (2024)
Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
Grant Range: $40,000 - $2,000,000
Geographic Focus: Primarily United States, some international
Application Method: No public application process

Contact Details

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. Initially capitalized with approximately $25 million in 2023, the foundation's equity stake was valued at $643 million at IPO but declined to approximately $98 million by 2024 due to stock price changes. After minimal grantmaking in 2023 ($123,250), the foundation significantly scaled up operations in 2024, awarding over $10 million across 41 organizations. The foundation is chaired by Rose Marcario, former CEO of Patagonia, and focuses on environmental conservation, clean energy equity, and supporting Indigenous and underserved communities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Rivian Foundation supports organizations through multi-year grants typically spanning 1-2 years. Recent grants announced in 2024 include:

The Nature Conservancy: $2,000,000 (2 years) - Wildlife preservation and cultural resource protection in California
Ocean Resilience Climate Alliance (ORCA): $1,000,000
Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy: $500,000
Resources Legacy Fund: $700,000 (2 years)
Open Space Institute: $250,000 - Resilient Community Program
Save The Waves: $160,000 (2 years) - Surf ecosystem protection
Coast Salish Youth Coalition: $60,000 (2 years)

The majority of grants fall in the $100,000 - $400,000 range.

Application Method: No public application process

Priority Areas

The foundation organizes 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 prioritizing 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 center on environmental conservation and clean energy equity. Organizations outside these areas are unlikely to be considered.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees:

Rose Marcario - Chair of the Board (former CEO of Patagonia; stepping down from Rivian's corporate board in January 2026 but continuing as Foundation board chair)
RJ Scaringe - Trustee (Founder and CEO of Rivian)
Anisa Kamadoli Costa - President and Trustee (Chief Sustainability Officer at Rivian)
Ed M. Norton - Trustee (conservationist)

Leadership Philosophy:

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.

Organizations 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 grantee portfolio, organizations that align with the foundation's mission may be identified through:

Sector leadership and visibility: The foundation has funded well-established conservation organizations (The Nature Conservancy, Resources Legacy Fund, Open Space Institute) as well as smaller community-based groups, suggesting they track organizations across the ecosystem
Tribal and Indigenous networks: Multiple grants support tribal clean energy and Indigenous-led conservation, indicating the foundation actively engages with tribal communities and Indigenous organizations
Environmental and clean energy networks: Given board leadership from Patagonia's former CEO and Rivian's sustainability team, the foundation likely identifies grantees through established environmental and sustainability networks
Geographic focus areas: Strong presence of California-based grantees and organizations working in specific regions suggests potential geographic priorities

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, organizations should focus on:

Alignment with foundation values:

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

Profile of funded organizations: Reviewing the 41 grantees from 2024 reveals the foundation supports:

National/international conservation leaders (The Nature Conservancy)
Regional land trusts and conservation organizations (Open Space Institute, Resources Legacy Fund, CalWild)
Tribal clean energy initiatives
Youth and environmental justice organizations (Coast Salish Youth Coalition, Greening Youth Foundation)
Ocean and water-focused groups (ORCA, Save The Waves, Surfrider Foundation)
Urban agriculture and forestry initiatives

Geographic patterns: While primarily U.S.-focused, the foundation has made select international grants, particularly in East Africa and through organizations like Maasai Wilderness Conservation.

Grant sizes and structure: The foundation demonstrates flexibility, making grants from $40,000 to $2 million, with most in the $100,000-$400,000 range. Multi-year commitments (typically 2 years) suggest they value sustained partnerships.

Leadership priorities: With Rose Marcario (former Patagonia CEO) as board chair and Anisa Kamadoli Costa (Rivian CSO) as president, the foundation likely values:

Organizations demonstrating business and environmental innovation
Groups advancing systems-level change
Initiatives with measurable environmental and social outcomes

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 organizations must address both environmental outcomes AND equity/access for underserved or Indigenous communities
Scale flexibility: The foundation funds both major conservation organizations and smaller community groups, suggesting organizational size is less important than mission alignment
Multi-year thinking: Most grants span 2 years, indicating the foundation values sustained impact over one-time projects
Indigenous leadership prioritized: Multiple grants support tribal and Indigenous-led initiatives, reflecting a clear commitment to these communities
Beyond vehicles: While founded by an EV company, the foundation's scope extends well beyond transportation to encompass comprehensive environmental stewardship
Strategic positioning: Given the foundation's relatively recent launch (2021) and rapid scaling (from $123K in 2023 to $10M+ in 2024), it is still establishing its grantmaking patterns and may be receptive to innovative approaches within its focus areas

References

Research completed December 22, 2025