The River Foundation
Preselected recipients only
The River Foundation is a private foundation in Sherman Oaks, California. In tax year 2025 it gave $61,900 in 27 grants; the typical grant was $2,000 and the largest $5,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$61,900
- Number of grants27
- Typical grant$2,000
- Largest grant$5,000
- Assets$1.2 million
- New grantees41%
Giving in 2025 was down from $64,610 the year before.
41% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $62,800 | 20 | $1.2 million |
| 2024 | $64,610 | 19 | $1.2 million |
| 2025 | $61,900 | 27 | $1.2 million |
How to apply
The River Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
What The River Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 8 states, the most to California.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| California | 15 | $32,000 |
| District of Columbia | 4 | $9,500 |
| New York | 3 | $9,000 |
| Illinois | 1 | $3,000 |
| Ohio | 1 | $3,000 |
| Oregon | 1 | $3,000 |
| Michigan | 1 | $2,000 |
| Colorado | 1 | $400 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Doctors Without Borders USA | To support work of providing quality medical care and deliving emergency medical aid to people in crisis. | $5,000 |
| Freedom of the Press Foundation | To protect and defend adversarial journalism in the 21st century | $5,000 |
| The Bail Project | To support mission of ending cash bail and creating a more just, equitable and humane pretrial system | $5,000 |
| Civil Liberties Defense Center | To support movements that seek to dismantle political and economic structures at the root of social inequality and environmental destruction | $3,000 |
| Heal Palestine | To support humanitarian relief work in gaza | $3,000 |
| Palestine Children's Relief Fund | To support work of providing vital medical and humanitarian relief efforts for children in the middle east | $3,000 |
| Survival International USA | To support tribal peoples' rights around the world | $3,000 |
| The Electronic Intifada | To support powerful, independent reporting and to help inspire, educate and mobilize people to work for justice in palestine | $3,000 |
| World Central Kitchen | To help support work of providing meals to the people who need them most | $3,000 |
| Drop Site News | To support mission of providing independent investigative journalism | $2,500 |
| Brennan Center for Justice | To support work to reform and defend democracy and justice | $2,000 |
| Earthjustice | To support mission of protecting people's health, to preserve wildlife, advance clean energy and combat climate change | $2,000 |
| Rainforest Action Network | To support mission to preserve forests, protect the climate and uphold human rights | $2,000 |
| Unrwa USA | To carry out mission in partnership with the united nations relief and works agency for palestine refugees | $2,000 |
| 805 Undocufund | To support work of providing relief to immigrant families affected by natural disasters and those with loved ones detained by immigration | $2,000 |
| American Friends of Combatants for Peace | To support work for peace and justice in israel and palestine | $2,000 |
| Middle East Children's Alliance | To support work of delivering food, water, hygiene supplies, and other urgent needs to people in gaza | $2,000 |
| United Palestinian Appeal | To support marginalized palestinians living in the west bank, gaza strip, and refugee camps | $2,000 |
| The Zaynab Project | To support work of providing gaza's families with aid, opportunity and a vision for a brighter future | $2,000 |
| Mondoweiss | To support independent news organization that informs readers about developments in israel and palestine | $2,000 |
| Doctors Without Walls - Santa Barbara Street Medicine | To support mission of providing free, volunteer medical care for the most vulnerable of santa barbara county | $1,000 |
| Pesticide Action Network | To support work to tackle the pesticide problem and create a just, thriving food system | $1,000 |
| Prison Radio | To support work of bringing voices into the public debate challenging unjust police and prosecutorial practices which result in mass incarceration | $1,000 |
| Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs | To support mission of empowering, encouraging, and catalyzing projects to facilitate positive change | $1,000 |
| Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara | To support work of providing fee civil legal services to low-income individuals and families | $1,000 |
| New Beginnings | To support mission of providing quality, affordable counseling services, education and outreach programs that match the needs of the community | $1,000 |
| Southern Plains Land Trust | To support work preserving and restoring the biological diversity of prairie ecosystems of the southern great plains | $400 |
Officers and trustees
- Neal Marlens
Questions people ask
Does The River Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does The River Foundation give?
$61,900 in tax year 2025, across 27 grants, with a typical grant of $2,000.
Who runs The River Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Neal Marlens (President, Secretary & Treasurer).
What does The River Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly human services, faith communities and health.