River Network
River Network is a public charity based in Boulder, Colorado, that supports water, justice, and river advocates and works to strengthen organizations and leaders protecting waterways. Founded in 1988, it describes its work as helping communities improve and protect waterways, build climate-resilient communities, and advance equitable access to safe, affordable drinking water.
River Network at a glance
In short: River Network gave $3.2M across 49 grants in 2025 (avg $65K), top state Washington. 69% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,170,479
- +926.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 49
- +113.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $64,704
- +381.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $33,888
- Total assets
- $3,514,246
- +8.2% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 69% first-time grantees (34 of 49, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Washington (25% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to River Network
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 21387, Boulder, CO 80308
Phone: (303) 736-2724
Website: https://rivernetwork.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who River Network funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was City of Hermiston ($358K). Together the top 10 received $2.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
171 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 152 grants of 171 (89%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
River Network describes its work as local and national, and its website refers to supporting groups nationwide. Its 2025 grant dollars were distributed across recipient states, led by Washington (25%), Oregon (15%), and Hawaii (13%); Utah accounted for 6%. The filing also reports a 5% share for a recipient state shown as “?”.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 49 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is River Network open to new grantees?
69%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 34 of 49 grantees (69%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $83K; repeat grants $24K. How we count
Medians: $47K first-time, $6K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $309K (2024) to $3.2M (2025). In 2025 it made 49 grants totaling $3.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| City of Hermiston Hermiston, OR | River Conservation | $358,482 |
| City of Shoreline Seattle, WA | River Conservation | $348,221 |
| City of Seattle Seattle, WA | River Conservation | $248,299 |
| Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation Ogden, UT | River Conservation | $177,317 |
| Kanu I Ka Pono Inc Anahola, HI | River Conservation | $156,199 |
| City and County of Honolulu Honolulu, HI | River Conservation | $154,242 |
| Protectores De Cuencas Inc | River Conservation | $152,057 |
| One Truckee River Reno, NV | River Conservation | $139,024 |
| Sovereign EarthWorks Washington, DC | River Conservation | $138,768 |
| Providence Neighborhood Planting Program Providence, RI | River Conservation | $130,601 |
Ready to take the next step with River Network?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3,514,246 | $6,131,058 | $6,393,167 | $3,170,479 | 49 | $27,947 |
| 2024 | $3,246,459 | $3,703,029 | $4,150,762 | $308,950 | 23 | $90,457 |
| 2023 | $3,562,210 | $3,210,384 | $3,278,755 | $344,097 | 28 | $51,809 |
| 2022 | $3,721,825 | $4,468,341 | $3,683,575 | $426,317 | 37 | $530 |
| 2021 | $2,957,092 | $2,821,505 | $2,779,418 | $317,261 | 34 | $954 |
| 2020 | $2,994,222 | $2,601,196 | $2,784,300 | $378,956 | 33 | $1,610 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
River Network’s mission is to grow and strengthen a transformational national network of water, justice, and river advocates. Its stated focus areas are healthy, resilient rivers; safe, affordable drinking water; and climate-resilient communities. Its website describes support for local organizations and advocates through capacity building, training, mentoring, science support, and work to advance policy and investment.
The organization’s 2024 filing describes activities including engagement with more than 2,500 local groups, an annual conference called River Rally, cohorts and coalitions, community events, mentoring, and publications and tools.
Recipients of 2025 grants include organizations with varied missions. For example, Kanu I Ka Pono describes its mission as managing and promoting educational enrichment programs. Groundwork USA says it works through community-based partnerships to support environmental, economic, and social well-being. Spokane Tribal Network describes work to bring resources to Spokane Tribal communities and support restoration of cultural traditions and ecosystems. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, River Network reported 49 grants totaling $3,170,479. Grant amounts ranged from $5,320 to $358,482, with a median grant of $33,888. All listed grant purposes were river conservation.
The largest reported grants included $358,482 to the City of Hermiston, Oregon; $348,221 to the City of Shoreline, Washington; $248,299 to the City of Seattle, Washington; $177,317 to the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation in Utah; $156,199 to Kanu I Ka Pono in Hawaii; and $152,057 to Protectores de Cuencas Inc. Other reported grants included $139,024 to One Truckee River in Nevada and $126,543 to Groundwork USA in New York.
The filing also lists grants of $47,737 to Ecology Action of Texas, $47,153 to Spokane Tribal Network, $46,771 to Duwamish Tribal Services, $35,403 to Green Interchange, $33,888 to Urban Neighborhood Initiatives, and $23,789 to Blackstone Watershed Collaborative.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Rajan Shukla as president/CEO and Bob Sproull as treasurer. Directors listed are Julia Blatt, Bill Brandt, Nicole Lampe, Monica Lewis-Patrick, Paula Garcia, Paulina Lopez, Richard Roos-Collins, and Hema Prado.
River Network is led by Rajan Shukla, President & CEO on every filing since 2023; 5 of 19 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Rajan Shukla
President & CEO
On filings since 2023
$54K (2023) → $200K (2025)
April Ingle
Interim President
New on the 2025 filing
$103K (2025)
John Weiss
Chair
Director → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Bill Brandt
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Julia Blatt
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Mekayle Houghton
Director
Director → Vice Chair, 2024
Vice Chair → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Richard Roos-Collins
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Julian Gonzalez
Director
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Kevin Jeffrey
Director
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Hema Prado
Director
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Monica Lewis-Patrick
Director
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Nicole Lampe
Director
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Paula Garcia
Director
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Paulina Lopez
Director
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Barbara Long
Former Vice President Finance, Ops & People
Vice President Finance, Ops & People → Former Vice President Finance, Ops & People, 2025
On filings since 2023
$113K (2023) → $105K (2025)
Lisa Runkel
Employee
On filings since 2023
$105K (2023) → $116K (2025)
Amy Boal
Employee
New on the 2025 filing
$106K (2025)
Bob Sproull
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Emily Warren Armitano
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Former officers (19)
- Former: Andrew Fahlund (2020–2024) — Chair
- Former: Scott Miller (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Diana Toledo (2022–2024) — Employee
- Former: Ellen Gilinsky (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Gary Collins (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Jumana Vasi (2020–2023) — Chair
- Former: Rebecca Wodder (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Ronda Chapman (2020–2023) — Vice Chair
- Former: Sandra Postel (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Suzi Wilkins Berl (2020–2023) — Emeritus Board Member
- Former: Joya Banerjee (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Katherine Baer (2022–2023) — Employee
- Former: Kimberley Milligan (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Greer Tidwell (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Nicole Silk (2020–2022) — President & CEO
- Former: Paul Bauman (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Raj Shukla (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Tracy Mehan III (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Ann Mills (2020–2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 $200K, to Rajan Shukla (President/CEO). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about River Network
How much does River Network give each year?
River Network gave $3.2M across 49 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $309K across 23 grants.
What is River Network's typical grant size?
River Network's median grant in 2025 was $33,888, and its average grant was $64,704, across 49 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from River Network that year got $83K on average.
Where does River Network give grants?
River Network's top state is Washington, with 25% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Oregon (15%) and Hawaii (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were Seattle, WA (3 grants), New Orleans, LA (3 grants), Honolulu, HI (2 grants) and Denver, CO (2 grants).
Does River Network give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 49 grants with a stated purpose on River Network's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "River Conservation" (49 grants).
Who are River Network's largest grantees?
River Network's largest 2025 grantees include City of Hermiston ($358,482), City of Shoreline ($348,221) and City of Seattle ($248,299), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 30% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is River Network?
River Network reported $3.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $6.1M.
What does River Network fund?
River Network’s mission is to grow and strengthen a transformational national network of water, justice, and river advocates. Its stated focus areas are healthy, resilient rivers; safe, affordable drinking water; and climate-resilient communities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from River Network?
River Network has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check rivernetwork.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is River Network's EIN?
River Network's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 93-0969979. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS March 29, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 9, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS January 23, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 5, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 9, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in River Network's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Colorado
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Washington, DC
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation makes competitive grants for science-based projects that conserve or restore fish, wildlife, plants, and habitats; it does not fund advocacy or litigation. Its 2025 grants had a median of about $106,500, and it supports projects across all 50 states and U.S. territories. Applications are competitive and program-specific; whether pre-proposals are required varies by program.
Assets
$3.6B
Grants
1,286
Total Given
$464.4M
Patagoniaorg
Ventura, CA
PATAGONIAORG funds environmental organizations and projects addressing root causes of environmental problems, including place-based protection, environmental campaigns, and broader inclusion in the movement. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to $5,174,555, with a median of $15,000, and funding was concentrated in Virginia and California, with grants also reported in Oregon and Colorado. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected organizations.
Assets
—
Grants
425
Total Given
$13.2M
The Nature Conservancy
Arlington, VA
The Nature Conservancy funds conservation work, including land and easement acquisition, research, planning, organizational capacity, and sustainable agriculture, across the United States and internationally. In 2025, its grants had a median of about $31,000, with awards ranging from about $5,000 to $2.1 million; some regional programs offer grants of up to $100,000.
Assets
$10.1B
Grants
671
Total Given
$67.8M
National Forest Foundation
Missoula, MT
The National Forest Foundation funds conservation, wildfire resilience, watershed and land restoration, recreation, and community stewardship benefiting U.S. National Forests and Grasslands. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to about $2.1 million, with a median of about $41,000; one 2026 program listed awards of $20,000–$50,000. Its programs are national, but projects must benefit National Forest System lands; applications are through listed competitive programs, and the information does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$96.2M
Grants
168
Total Given
$17.4M
Colorado Gives Foundation
Arvada, CO
Colorado Gives Foundation funds nonprofits serving Jefferson County in areas including food security, early care and education, workforce development, housing, health and convenient neighborhoods; it also offers statewide nonprofit capacity-building support. Typical giving varies widely: its 2024 median grant was $17,814, while Thriving Jeffco Responsive Grant awards ranged from $2,500 to $100,000. It accepts applications through listed grant opportunities, but whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$527.1M
Grants
2,211
Total Given
$91.0M
Christian Community Foundation Inc
Colorado Springs, CO
WaterStone supports domestic and international nonprofits, including Christian ministries and charitable and educational organizations, through donor-directed grants; eligible organizations must be IRS-recognized 501(c)(3)s whose mission aligns with its Statement of Faith. Its 2025 grants had a median of $20,000, with awards ranging from $5,028 to $11 million, and were concentrated in Texas and Colorado. Grant recommendations come from donor-advised fund holders; the profile does not state that it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$746.4M
Grants
1,651
Total Given
$161.8M
More similar funders
More Funders in Colorado
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). River Network funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/river-network-morg_c2c4c70abafd45028dc7b8637b7f3598
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_930969979_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{River Network funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/river-network-morg_c2c4c70abafd45028dc7b8637b7f3598},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 River Network'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.
River Network down — hundreds of funders to go?