American Rivers Inc
American Rivers Inc. is a public charity based in Washington, DC. Formed in 1974, it works to protect and restore rivers and support clean water, healthy habitats, and safer communities.
American Rivers Inc at a glance
In short: American Rivers Inc gave $6.6M across 54 grants in 2025 (avg $122K), top state Oregon. 26% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $6,580,013
- +30.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 54
- -8.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $121,852
- +42.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $24,604
- Total assets
- $40,075,409
- +51.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 26% first-time grantees (14 of 54, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Oregon (30% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to American Rivers Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: 1101 14Th Street Nw 1400, Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202) 347-7550
Website: https://americanrivers.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who American Rivers Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Oregon Department of Transportation ($1.2M). Together the top 10 received $5.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
218 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 160 grants of 218 (73%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
American Rivers describes its work as national, and its filing statement says it worked in 50 states in 2025. Among 2025 grant dollars, the largest recipient-state shares were Oregon (30%), California (26%), and North Carolina (20%), followed by Texas (7%) and Nevada (4%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 54 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is American Rivers Inc open to new grantees?
26%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 14 of 54 grantees (26%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $37K; repeat grants $152K. How we count
Medians: $16K first-time, $32K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $913K (2023) to $6.6M (2025). In 2025 it made 54 grants totaling $6.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Department of Transportation Salem, OR | Restore Damaged Rivers and Waters | $1,223,328 |
| Mountain True Asheville, NC | Restore Damaged Rivers and Waters | $1,007,776 |
| North Clackamas Urban Watersheds Council Milwaukie, OR | Restore Damaged Rivers and Waters | $734,174 |
| Terra Fuego Resource Foundation Inc Chico, CA | Restore Damaged Rivers and Waters | $584,804 |
| US Dept of Interior-Yosemite National Park Mariposa, CA | Restore Damaged Rivers and Waters | $491,600 |
| HGS LLC Bellaire, TX | Restore Damaged Rivers and Waters | $451,894 |
| Stanford University Los Angeles, CA | Restore Damaged Rivers and Waters | $279,920 |
| Kearns & West Inc Las Vegas, NV | Restore Damaged Rivers and Waters | $263,370 |
| National Hydropower Association Inc Washington, DC | Restore Damaged Rivers and Waters | $207,805 |
| American Whitewater Cullowhee, NC | Restore Damaged Rivers and Waters | $177,197 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $40,075,409 | $53,419,167 | $41,444,247 | $6,580,013 | 54 | $261,801 |
| 2024 | $26,399,588 | $36,643,206 | $34,022,477 | $5,029,324 | 59 | $239,871 |
| 2023 | $21,376,739 | $21,808,405 | $20,833,900 | $913,206 | 34 | $172,284 |
| 2022 | $18,554,152 | $18,619,634 | $16,322,607 | $936,446 | 38 | $55,049 |
| 2021 | $20,224,809 | $19,261,580 | $19,284,032 | $1,592,218 | 33 | $133,109 |
| 2020 | $17,492,357 | $16,657,900 | $16,362,145 | $1,416,010 | 32 | $88,260 |
| 2019 | $17,205,347 | $22,856,542 | $24,067,176 | $1,674,525 | 41 | $130,194 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
American Rivers states that it champions a national effort to protect and restore rivers, from remote mountain streams to urban waterways. Its stated mission connects healthy rivers with clean, abundant water and natural habitat.
Its work includes protecting healthy rivers, restoring damaged rivers and waters, and mobilizing a broad river movement. The organization’s website also describes work to safeguard drinking-water sources, restore river and wetland habitats, and help communities address flood, drought, and fire risks.
The 2025 grants included support for organizations with varied missions. For example, MountainTrue says it champions resilient forests, clean waters, and healthy communities across the Southern Blue Ridge. Friends of the River Foundation says it protects and restores California rivers through policy work and citizen action. Trout Unlimited says it conserves, protects, and restores North America’s coldwater fisheries and watersheds.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, American Rivers reported 54 grants totaling $6,580,013. Grant amounts ranged from $5,300 to $1,223,328, with a median of $24,604. The listed grant purposes were to restore damaged rivers and waters.
Among the largest grants were $1,223,328 to the Oregon Department of Transportation, $1,007,776 to MountainTrue, $734,174 to North Clackamas Urban Watersheds Council, and $584,804 to Terra Fuego Resource Foundation. Other recipients included the U.S. Department of the Interior–Yosemite National Park ($491,600), HGS LLC ($451,894), Stanford University ($279,920), and the National Hydropower Association ($207,805).
The grantees’ stated missions illustrate the range of recipients. North Clackamas Urban Watersheds Council describes itself as a public charity watershed council in Clackamas County, Oregon. Terra Fuego Resource Foundation says it provides life-skills training and environmental education, including through vegetation management and prescribed fire. The National Hydropower Association says it champions water power as an emissions-free renewable energy resource.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Pallavi Phartiyal, PhD, as chair; Jo-Ellen Darcy as vice chair; Abigail Rome as secretary; and Andrew Sheehan as treasurer. Directors listed include Maite Arce, Mark Barnes, PhD, Tom Barney, Jordana Barrack, Jason Bogardus, and Richard Burr.
American Rivers Inc is led by Thomas Kiernan, President on every filing since 2021; 11 of 36 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Thomas Kiernan
President
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$265K (2022) → $388K (2025)
Pallavi Phartiyal PhD
Chair
Acting Vice Chair → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jonathon D. Moryc
Senior Director
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$126K (2024) → $130K (2025)
Brian E. Graber
Senior Director & Dam Removal Strategy
New on the 2025 filing
32 hrs/week
$126K (2025)
Bruce Alan Leathwood
Senior Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$131K (2025)
Mark Busto
Director
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Costello
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tom Barney
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kristin Blair Hull PhD
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Aja Decoteau
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alyssa Macy
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary Pavel
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Queta Gonzalez
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Barnes PhD
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Greatrex
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Na'taki Osborne Jelks PhD
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shannon Wheeler
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Trevor Price
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Adrianna Quintero
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Clay Moorehead
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eric Ladd
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jason Bogardus
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joise Gabel
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jordana Barrack
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Maite Arce
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Richard Burr
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Marshall
Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2019
37 hrs/week
$122K (2019) → $186K (2025)
Kristin May
CFO
Chief Financial Officer → CFO, 2022
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$154K (2019) → $233K (2025)
Jennifer Hoffner
Vice President & Conservation Strategies
Vice President & Conservation Strategies → Vice President & Conservation Strategie, 2024
Vice President & Conservation Strategie → Vice President & Conservation Strategies, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$106K (2020) → $179K (2025)
Amanda Kober
Vice President & Communications
Vice President → Vice President & Communications, 2023
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$103K (2021) → $150K (2025)
Paula Wolferseder Yabar
Senior Vice President & Advisor
Vice President → Senior Vice President & Advancement, 2023
Senior Vice President & Advancement → Senior Vice President & Advisor, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$183K (2021) → $232K (2025)
Heather Taylor-Miesle
Senior Vice President
Senior Vice President & Conservation → Senior Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2023
38 hrs/week
$151K (2023) → $217K (2025)
Melissa Lewis
Vice President, Ppl Justice & Cultural
Vice President, Ppl Justice & Cultural Affairs → Vice President, Ppl Justice & Cultural, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$146K (2023) → $180K (2025)
Abigail Rome
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jo-Ellen Darcy
Vice Chair
Director → Secretary, 2020
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Sheehan
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (36)
- Former: Angela Wiggins (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Beth Burrough (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Bill Hoffman (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Dan Reicher (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: David Solomon (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Donald Ayer (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Fred St Goar (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: James Beh (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Martin Chavez (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Roy Romer (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Susan Wallace (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Frederick Illston (2021–2024) — Vice President, Policy & Gov't
- Former: Patricia Callahan (2022–2024) — Program Director
- Former: Cathaline Yi (2019–2023) — Vice President, Dvlpmnt Corporate & Fdtn Rltns
- Former: David Schmitt (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Edward Whitney (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: John Haydock (2019–2022) — Chair
- Former: Kimberley Milligan (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Karen Diver (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Tillie Walton (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Na 'taki Osborne Jelks (2022) — Director
- Former: Amanda Deaver (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Amanda Leiter (2019–2021) — Vice Chair
- Former: Christopher Williams (2019–2021) — Vice President
- Former: Greg Luce (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Jaime Pinkham (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Lynn Hitschler (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Robert McDermott (2019–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Wm Robert Irvin (2019–2021) — Immediate Past President
- Former: Carrie Besnette Hauser (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Georgette Blanchfield (2019–2020) — Vice President
- Former: Brandi Colandar (2020) — Director
- Former: Anthony Williams (2019) — Director
- Former: James Bradley (2019) — Vice President
- Former: Jimmy Kimmel (2019) — Director
- Former: John Cain (2019) — Program Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $388K, to Thomas Kiernan (President). 11 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about American Rivers Inc
How much does American Rivers Inc give each year?
American Rivers Inc gave $6.6M across 54 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $5.0M across 59 grants.
What is American Rivers Inc's typical grant size?
American Rivers Inc's median grant in 2025 was $24,604, and its average grant was $121,852, across 54 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from American Rivers Inc that year got $37K on average.
Where does American Rivers Inc give grants?
American Rivers Inc's top state is Oregon, with 30% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were California (26%) and North Carolina (20%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (2 grants), Milwaukee, WI (2 grants), San Francisco, CA (2 grants) and Sacramento, CA (2 grants).
Does American Rivers Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 54 grants with a stated purpose on American Rivers Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Restore Damaged Rivers and Waters" (54 grants).
Who are American Rivers Inc's largest grantees?
American Rivers Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Oregon Department of Transportation ($1,223,328), Mountain True ($1,007,776) and North Clackamas Urban Watersheds Council ($734,174), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 45% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is American Rivers Inc?
American Rivers Inc reported $40.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $53.4M.
What does American Rivers Inc fund?
American Rivers states that it champions a national effort to protect and restore rivers, from remote mountain streams to urban waterways. Its stated mission connects healthy rivers with clean, abundant water and natural habitat. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from American Rivers Inc?
American Rivers Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check americanrivers.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is American Rivers Inc's EIN?
American Rivers Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7305963. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS February 3, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS January 19, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS January 19, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 6, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 7, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS January 26, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 31, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). American Rivers Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/american-rivers-inc-morg_71857994e9134f2eacbe0dc391409928
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_237305963_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{American Rivers Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/american-rivers-inc-morg_71857994e9134f2eacbe0dc391409928},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from American Rivers Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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