Riverview Foundation Inc
Riverview Foundation Inc is a private independent foundation based in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Established in 2011, it operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization with a focus on philanthropic grantmaking in select communities and natural areas.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$22.7M
+14.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$670K
-16.2% YoY
Grant Count
12
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$56K
-16.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Riverview Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Riverview Foundation seeks to enrich the livability and stewardship of select communities and natural areas located within the Buffalo Bayou, Broad, Horsepasture, Lower Tennessee, Medina, and Oconee River watersheds.
The foundation's grantmaking priorities include:
- Performing (musical) arts
- Habitat and wildlife conservation
- Parks and greenways
- Other projects of interest to the Trustees
Grants are made solely at the initiative of the foundation; unsolicited proposals will not be eligible for consideration.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
s:** Typical awards range from $7,000 to $332,000.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation focuses on select communities and natural areas within the following river watersheds:
- Buffalo Bayou
- Broad River
- Horsepasture River
- Lower Tennessee River
- Medina River
- Oconee River
Primary grantmaking occurs in Tennessee, Georgia, and Connecticut.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Total Assets: $22,747,851 (as of 2024)
Total Liabilities: $0
Annual Revenue: $681,000 (2023)
Annual Expenses: $954,000 (2023)
Total Giving: $669,830
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $22,747,851 | $19,961,260 | $20,482,211 |
| Revenue | $3,588,178 | $681,408 | $956,470 |
| Expenses | $801,587 | $953,758 | $1,317,303 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $737,748 | $868,032 | $1,231,598 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,519,538 | $593,306 | $909,297 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,241,980 | $1,215,610 | $1,240,307 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
73 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include University of Georgia Foundation ($200,000), Lookout Mountain Conservancy ($75,000), Nuci Phillips Memorial Foundation ($75,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN CONSERVANCY LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, TN | ROCKMONT PARK PARKING LOT IMPROVEMENTS | $75,000 |
| NUCI PHILLIPS MEMORIAL FOUNDATION ATHENS, GA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT, HEALTH & WELLNESS PROGRAMS AND YOUTH SUPPORT PROGRAMS | $75,000 |
| UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA FOUNDATION ATHENS, GA | MUSIC BUSINESS PROGRAM AND SOUTHEAST GRASSLANDS INITIATIVE COORDINATOR POSITION | $200,000 |
| LULA LAKE LAND TRUST LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, TN | NICKAJACK TRAILHEAD DRIVEWAY CONSTRUCTION PROJECT | $25,000 |
| COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM NASHVILLE, TN | FROM WHERE I STAND: THE BLACK EXPERIEINCE IN COUNTRY MUSIC | $25,000 |
| CUMBERLAND TRAILS CONFERENCE CROSSVILLE, TN | TRAIL BUILDING EQUIPMENT AND MAINTENANCE | $50,000 |
| TENNESSEE RIVER GORGE TRUST CHATTANOOGA, TN | AETNA MOUNTAIN TRAILS - PHASE II | $75,000 |
| THRIVE REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP INC CHATTANOOGA, TN | "MY THRIVING GARDEN" NATIVE PLANT PROJECT | $30,000 |
| TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND CHATTANOOGA, TN | DADE COUNTY COMMUNITY FOREST PROJECT | $50,000 |
| NATIONAL PARK PARTNERS CHATTANOOGA, TN | MAGNETOMETER SURVEY | $22,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and Trustees:
- Mr. George Rawlings Fontaine, Sr. — Chairman and President
- Mr. Brett W. Rousch — Treasurer
- Mr. Benic M. "Bruz" Clark III — Secretary
- Mrs. Cecilia Erickson Fontaine
- Mr. George Rawlings Fontaine, Jr.
- Mr. Ryan Thomas Fontaine
- Mr. Cartter Lupton Fontaine
Staff:
- Mr. Benic M. "Bruz" Clark III — Executive Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEORGE R FONTAINE SR | PRESIDENT | 4 | — |
| BENIC M CLARK III | SECRETARY | 6 | $67,333 |
| BRETT W ROUSCH | TREASURER | 5 | — |
| CECILIA E FONTAINE | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| GEORGE R FONTAINE JR | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| RYAN T FONTAINE | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| CARTTER L FONTAINE | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 832 Georgia Ave Ste 410, Chattanooga, TN 37402-2263
Phone: 423-756-5224
Website: riverviewfdn.org
EIN: 27-5485912
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Riverview Foundation Inc fund?
The Riverview Foundation seeks to enrich the livability and stewardship of select communities and natural areas located within the Buffalo Bayou, Broad, Horsepasture, Lower Tennessee, Medina, and Oconee River watersheds. The foundation's grantmaking priorities include: • Performing (musical) arts • Habitat and wildlife conservation • Parks and greenways • Other projects of interest to the Trustees Grants are made solely at the initiative of the foundation; unsolicited proposals will not be elig…
How do I apply for a grant from Riverview Foundation Inc?
**Grant Sizes:** Typical awards range from $7,000 to $332,000. **Recent Activity:** The foundation awarded $75,000 to the Tennessee River Gorge Trust for the Aetna Mountain Trails - Phase II project in 2024. **Total Giving:** $669,830 in recent fiscal year activity.
Where does Riverview Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation focuses on select communities and natural areas within the following river watersheds: • Buffalo Bayou • Broad River • Horsepasture River • Lower Tennessee River • Medina River • Oconee River Primary grantmaking occurs in Tennessee, Georgia, and Connecticut.
What size grants does Riverview Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Riverview Foundation Inc awarded 12 grants totaling $670K — an average of about $56K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Riverview Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Riverview Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.2M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Riverview Foundation Inc's EIN?
Riverview Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-5485912. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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