John M Rivers Jr Foundation
Accepts applications
John M Rivers Jr Foundation is a private foundation in Charleston, South Carolina. In tax year 2025 it gave $94,000 in 33 grants; the typical grant was $2,000 and the largest $10,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$94,000
- Number of grants33
- Typical grant$2,000
- Largest grant$10,000
- Assets$8.2 million
- New grantees100%
Giving in 2025 was down from $203,350 the year before.
100% 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 | $170,482 | 34 | $3.8 million |
| 2024 | $203,350 | 42 | $4.6 million |
| 2025 | $94,000 | 33 | $8.2 million |
How to apply
| Contact | John M Rivers Jr PO Box 21050, Charleston, SC 29403 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (843) 723-9900 |
| What to submit | Written Request |
| Restrictions | Charleston, SC area and Cashiers, NC area |
What John M Rivers Jr Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 5 states, the most to South Carolina.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | 25 | $73,250 |
| North Carolina | 4 | $9,500 |
| Massachusetts | 2 | $6,000 |
| California | 1 | $5,000 |
| Vermont | 1 | $250 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston Parks Conservancy | Hazel Parker Playground Champion - In honor of various people | $10,000 |
| BYN Mellon Charitable Gift Fund - | honor David Rawle's Mother - Theodora Park | $5,000 |
| Camden Military Academy | Camden Athletics-Obstacle Course Upfit | $5,000 |
| Charleston Library Society | Honor of Laura Pelzer and Rutledge Young Jr. | $5,000 |
| Charleston Museum | 250th Anniversary Celebration | $5,000 |
| Charleston Symphony Orchestra | In Honor of John F. Maybank | $5,000 |
| Church of the Good Shepherd | In Honor of Rob Wood and Steve Hennessy | $5,000 |
| Confederate Home and College | Restoration Fund | $5,000 |
| First Tee of Greater Charleston | In Honor of College of Charleston Women's Golf Team | $5,000 |
| Historic Charleston Foundation | Russell House Support | $5,000 |
| Preservation Society of Charleston | Supplement ID of African/American graveyards in Charleston | $5,000 |
| Vision to Lear - Charleston | Student vision testing in Charleston area | $5,000 |
| Drayton Hall Foundation | To Honor Drayton Family | $2,750 |
| Charleston Stage | Creativity Fund | $2,500 |
| Charleston Gaillard Center - Student Access Fund | 10th Anniversary of the Perforance Hall opening-Education Purposes | $2,500 |
| Middleton Place Foundation | Honor of Charles H.P. Duel and Rutledge Young Jr. | $2,500 |
| Ashley Hall School | Head of School's Discretion | $2,000 |
| Boys and Girls Club of the Plateau | Given in honor of Paul Robshaw/Linda Benge | $2,000 |
| SC Historical Society | In Honor of Dan Ravenel | $1,500 |
| UNC Arts & Sciences | 50 Year Campaign - Dean's Circle Level | $1,500 |
| Charleston Waterkeeper | Discretionary Fund | $1,000 |
| College of Charleston School of the Arts | International Piano Series - In honor of Polly Kosko and Valerie Morris | $1,000 |
| Colour of Music | African American Chamber Music | $1,000 |
| Eaglebrook School | In honor of Andy Chase | $1,000 |
| Glenville-Cashiers Rescue Squad | General Budget | $1,000 |
| Lowcountry Land Trust | In Honor of Dr. Ann Kulze and Bob Blessing | $1,000 |
| St John's Episcopal Church | In Honor of David H. Maybank, Jr. | $1,000 |
| St Phillip's Church | Rector's Discretionary Fund | $1,000 |
| SC Aquarium | In honor of Hilton Smith, Jr. | $1,000 |
| SC Battleground Preservation Trust | Research on preserving/identifying historic battlegrounds in SC | $1,000 |
| Star Gospel Mission | In memory of Douglas Donehue | $1,000 |
| Lowcountry Community Chaplaincy | Matching Fund for Tom Waring | $500 |
| Shelburne Museum | In Honor of Dianne Avlon | $250 |
Officers and trustees
- Thomas Waring
- J Rutledge Young Jr
- Tricia C Cordina
- J Lawson Johnson III
- Karen Phillips
- John M Rivers Jr
- David H Maybank Jr
- Anne T Pope
- Anne H Blessing
Questions people ask
Does John M Rivers Jr Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications.
How much does John M Rivers Jr Foundation give?
$94,000 in tax year 2025, across 33 grants, with a typical grant of $2,000.
Who runs John M Rivers Jr Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Thomas Waring (Director), J Rutledge Young Jr (Director), Tricia C Cordina (Director) and J Lawson Johnson III (Director) among 9 officers and trustees.
What does John M Rivers Jr Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, environment and conservation and arts and culture.