The Rio Vista Foundation concentrates its giving in the St. Louis region, making a small number of large, unrestricted grants to institutions that drive civic, economic and social change locally. Its funding mixes support for anchor institutions (higher education and regional economic development), community power/organizing to redesign public systems, and Jewish community priorities (capital campaign support). Grantees frequently receive repeat multi-year or multi-installment grants and funds are often designated for general operating support.
Rio Vista Foundation’s largest recent grant went to Washington University for general operations, a signal of how heavily the foundation leans into institutional support. Across its recent giving, the foundation pairs that anchor-institution funding with multi-year support for community power work in St. Louis, especially WePower’s efforts to re-design education, health, and justice systems. It also backs local organizations that sit at the intersection of civic life and place-based development, including Hosco Shift Inc and Invest STL, both funded for general operations in multiple years. The foundation’s portfolio also reaches into Jewish community priorities and cultural infrastructure. Recent grants support the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum capital campaign through the Jewish Federation of St Louis, while other awards touch arts and recreation projects such as the Hi-Pointe Theatre and new basketball courts at Tower Grove Park. Rio Vista Foundation’s recent pattern is not a scattershot one; it combines large unrestricted grants, capital support, and project funding for institutions and initiatives that shape public life in St. Louis.
In education, health, and justice systems-change work, Rio Vista Foundation gave $650,000 to WePower in 2024 and another $250,000 in 2025 to activate community power for redesign efforts. That pairing shows sustained support for community-led organizing rather than a single project grant. For regional economic development, the foundation backed Invest STL with $250,000 in 2024 and $250,000 in 2025, both for general operations. It also funded Greater St Louis Inc Foundation with $250,000 in each of those two years, again as general operating support. The foundation’s Jewish community giving includes $200,000 in 2024 and $100,000 in 2025 to the Jewish Federation of St Louis for the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum capital campaign and related general operations. Its arts and place-based support also reached The Kranzberg Arts Foundation, which received $50,000 in 2024 for the Intersessions conference and $60,080 in 2025 for the conference and the busking program.
Rio Vista Foundation’s typical grant size is tightly clustered at $100,000 at the 25th percentile, median, and $250,000 at the 75th percentile, showing a preference for large awards rather than small checks. The recent record also shows repeat funding: WePower, Hosco Shift Inc, Invest STL, Greater St Louis Inc Foundation, Missouri River Relief, The Kranzberg Arts Foundation, and Jewish Federation of St Louis all received more than one grant. The foundation is a regular funder and makes program-related investments, while recent awards are often unrestricted or general-operating grants, with some project and capital support mixed in.
$4.4M
$57.6M
$4.1M
$4.5M
Most grants fall between $100K and $250K, with a median of $100K.
25th Percentile
$100K
Median
$100K
75th Percentile
$250K
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for Rio Vista Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 34 | $8.8M | 97.1% |
| 2 | United Kingdom | 1 |
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Concentrated local giving: few large grants (many multi-installment or repeat grants), preference for unrestricted/general operating support, and emphasis on repeat investment in anchor institutions and regional initiatives rather than many small, dispersed gifts.
Notable grantees: Washington University, WePower, Invest STL, Greater St. Louis Inc Foundation, Jewish Federation of St Louis
Rio Vista Foundation gives locally, with 83% of grants going to recipients in Missouri. The recipient map is dominated by St. Louis, including Washington University, WePower, Hosco Shift Inc, Invest STL, Greater St Louis Inc Foundation, Jewish Federation of St Louis, Tower Grove Park Foundation, Cinema St Louis, Missouri Confluence Waterkeeper, and The Kranzberg Arts Foundation. Outside Missouri, recent recipients include Cornell University in Ithaca, New York; University of Colorado Foundation - University of Colorado Denver in Denver, Colorado; and Carbon 180 in Oakland, California. All recent grants in the data went to U.S. recipients.
Recent grants show support for universities, community organizing groups, economic development nonprofits, Jewish community institutions, arts organizations, and recreation or preservation projects. Examples include Washington University, WePower, Invest STL, Jewish Federation of St Louis, The Kranzberg Arts Foundation, and Tower Grove Park Foundation.
Yes. Many recent grants are for general operations, including awards to Washington University, Hosco Shift Inc, Invest STL, Greater St Louis Inc Foundation, Missouri River Relief, and Jewish Federation of St Louis. That pattern suggests unrestricted operating support is a regular part of its giving.
The typical grant size is $100,000 at the 25th percentile and median, with a $250,000 75th percentile. Recent awards also include larger grants such as $2.6 million to Washington University and $650,000 to WePower.
The foundation gives most often in Missouri, with 83% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Recent Missouri recipients are concentrated in St. Louis, with additional grants in Columbia and Bridgeton.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including WePower, Hosco Shift Inc, Invest STL, Greater St Louis Inc Foundation, Missouri River Relief, The Kranzberg Arts Foundation, and Jewish Federation of St Louis. The pattern includes both repeat operating support and repeat project or capital support.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
| $100K |
2.9% |
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY | ST LOUIS, MO | $2,600,000 | 2025 | FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS TO FURTHER THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE TAX EXEMPT RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION |
| HOSCO SHIFT INC | ST LOUIS, MO | $500,000 | 2025 | FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS TO FURTHER THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE TAX EXEMPT RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION |
| INVEST STL | ST LOUIS, MO | $250,000 | 2025 | FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS TO FURTHER THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE TAX EXEMPT RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION |
| GREATER ST LOUIS INC FOUNDATION | ST LOUIS, MO | $250,000 | 2025 | FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS TO FURTHER THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE TAX EXEMPT RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION |
| WEPOWER | ST LOUIS, MO | $250,000 | 2025 | ACTIVATE COMMUNITY POWER TO RE-DESIGN EDUCATION,HEALTH,JUSTICE SYSTEMS-EQUITABLE FOR ALL |
| UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO FOUNDATION - UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER | DENVER, CO | $150,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE EDUCATION PROJECT |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF ST LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $100,000 | 2025 | ST. LOUIS KAPLAN FELDMAN HOLOCAUST MUSEUM CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| MISSOURI RIVER RELIEF | COLUMBIA, MO | $100,000 | 2025 | FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS TO FURTHER THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE TAX EXEMPT RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF ST LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $100,000 | 2025 | FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS TO FURTHER THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE TAX EXEMPT RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION |
| THE KRANZBERG ARTS FOUNDATION | ST LOUIS, MO | $60,080 | 2025 | $50,000 TO SUPPORT THE "INTERSESSIONS" CONFERENCE IN THE FALL OF 2024. $10,080 TO SUPPORT THE BUSKING PROGRAM. |
| FRANCISCAN SISTERS OF MARY | BRIDGETON, MO | $15,253 | 2025 | OUTSTANDING LOAN FORGIVENESS |
| WEPOWER | ST LOUIS, MO | $650,000 | 2024 | ACTIVATE COMMUNITY POWER TO RE-DESIGN EDUCATION,HEALTH,JUSTICE SYSTEMS-EQUITABLE FOR ALL |
| INVEST STL | ST LOUIS, MO | $250,000 | 2024 | FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS TO FURTHER THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE TAX EXEMPT RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION |
| GREATER ST LOUIS INC FOUNDATION | ST LOUIS, MO | $250,000 | 2024 | FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS TO FURTHER THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE TAX EXEMPT RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION |
| HOSCO SHIFT INC | ST LOUIS, MO | $250,000 | 2024 | FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS TO FURTHER THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE TAX EXEMPT RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF ST LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $200,000 | 2024 | ST. LOUIS KAPLAN FELDMAN HOLOCAUST MUSEUM CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| TOWER GROVE PARK FOUNDATION | ST LOUIS, MO | $100,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR BUILDING OF NEW BASKETBALL COURTS |
| CORNELL UNIVERSITY | ITHACA, NY | $100,000 | 2024 | CORNELL WILL DESIGN, CONDUCT, AND ANALYZE CLIMATE MODEL SIMULATIONS WITH THE GOAL OF MORE SYSTEMATICALLY ASSESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF DIFFERENT PHYSICAL STRATOSPHERIC PROCESSES IN CONTRIBUTING TO OVERALL UNCERTAINTY IN PROJECTING THE EFFECTS OF STRATOSPHERIC AEROSOL INJECTION (SAI); A FORM OF SOLAR GEOENGINEERING. SIMULATIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED WITH THE CLIMATE MODEL CESM(WACCM) DEVELOPED BY NCAR. POTENTIAL SOURCES OF UNCERTAINTY TO BE EXPLORED INCLUDE THE ROLE OF STRATOSPHERIC AEROSOL HEATING, AEROSOL MICROPHYSICAL GROWTH ASSUMPTIONS, AND STRATOSPHERIC TRANSPORT. FUTURE DECISIONS SURROUNDING THE USE OF SAI TO DELIBERATELY COOL THE CLIMATE AND OFFSET SOME OF THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE WILL BE INFLUENCED NOT ONLY BY BEST-ESTIMATE PROJECTIONS OF THE EFFECTS, BUT EQUALLY IMPORTANT BY ASSESSMENTS OF THE CONFIDENCE IN THOSE PROJECTIONS. A SYSTEMATIC ASSESSMENT OF CONFIDENCE IS CURRENTLY LACKING, AND THIS PROJECT WILL LAY ESSENTIAL GROUNDWORK TOWARDS THAT END. |
| CINEMA ST LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $100,000 | 2024 | TO FUND THE CINEMA ST. LOUIS'S PROJECT TO SAVE THE HI-POINTE THEATRE IN ST.LOUIS, MO. |
| MISSOURI RIVER RELIEF | COLUMBIA, MO | $100,000 | 2024 | FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS TO FURTHER THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE TAX EXEMPT RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION |
| CARBON 180 | OAKLAND, CA | $100,000 | 2024 | RETHINK CARBON ADVANCING SOLUTIONS THAT TRANSFER CARBON FROM A POLLUTANT TO A RESOURCE |
| MISSOURI CONFLUENCE WATERKEEPER | ST LOUIS, MO | $50,000 | 2024 | FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS TO FURTHER THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE TAX EXEMPT RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION |
| THE KRANZBERG ARTS FOUNDATION | ST LOUIS, MO | $50,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE "INTERSESSIONS" CONFERENCE IN THE FALL OF 2023 |
| SPARK CLIMATE SOLUTIONS INC | BELMONT, CA | $1,037,500 | 2023 | SUPPORT ACTIVITIES TO CATALYZE THE CREATION AND SCALING OF CLIMATE SOLUTION ECOSYSTEMS |
| HOSCO SHIFT INC | ST LOUIS, MO | $250,000 | 2023 | FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS TO FURTHER THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE TAX EXEMPT RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION |
| WEPOWER | ST LOUIS, MO | $250,000 | 2023 | ACTIVATE COMMUNITY POWER TO RE-DESIGN EDUCATION,HEALTH,JUSTICE SYSTEMS-EQUITABLE FOR ALL |
| CARBON GAP LTD | LONDON | $100,019 | 2023 | SUPPORT CHARITABLE, SCIENTIFIC, AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES RELATED TO CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS |
| THIRD WAY INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2023 | ADVANCE CENTRIST SOLUTIONS TO MAJOR ECONOMIC, NATIONAL SECURITY, ENERGY, AND SOCIAL POLICY ISSUES |
| CARBON 180 | OAKLAND, CA | $100,000 | 2023 | RETHINK CARBON ADVANCING SOLUTIONS THAT TRANSFER CARBON FROM A POLLUTANT TO A RESOURCE |
| LIVERMORE LAB FOUNDATION | OAKLAND, CA | $100,000 | 2023 | ADVANCE KNOWLEDGE,CREATE TECH. TO ENHANCE HUMAN HEALTH, SAFETY, AND QUALITY OF LIFE |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2023 | SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH OF CREATING NOVEL MATERIALS SPECIFICALLY FOR INCREASING OCEAN ALKALINITY |
| RESEARCH CORPORATION DBA RESEARCH CORPORATION FOR SCIENCE ADVANCEMENT | TUCSON, AZ | $100,000 | 2023 | TO ADVANCE EARLY STAGE, HIGH POTENTIAL, BASIC SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH |
| RHODIUM GROUP LLC | NEW YORK, NY | $75,000 | 2023 | FUND RESEARCH INTO COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENTS OF CUTTING EDGE CARBON DIOXIDE REMOVAL TECHNOLOGIES |
| THE BRIDGESPAN GROUP INC | BOSTON, MA | $26,000 | 2023 | STRENGTHENING PHILANTHROPIST'S ABILITY TO ACHIEVE RESULTS IN ADDRESSING SOCIETY'S CHALLENGES |
FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS TO FURTHER THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE TAX EXEMPT RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION
HOSCO SHIFT INC
$500,000FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS TO FURTHER THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE TAX EXEMPT RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION
FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS TO FURTHER THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE TAX EXEMPT RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION
GREATER ST LOUIS INC FOUNDATION
$250,000FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS TO FURTHER THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE TAX EXEMPT RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION
ACTIVATE COMMUNITY POWER TO RE-DESIGN EDUCATION,HEALTH,JUSTICE SYSTEMS-EQUITABLE FOR ALL
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO FOUNDATION - UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER
$150,000TO SUPPORT THE EDUCATION PROJECT
ST. LOUIS KAPLAN FELDMAN HOLOCAUST MUSEUM CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
MISSOURI RIVER RELIEF
$100,000FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS TO FURTHER THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE TAX EXEMPT RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION
FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS TO FURTHER THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE TAX EXEMPT RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION
THE KRANZBERG ARTS FOUNDATION
$60,080$50,000 TO SUPPORT THE "INTERSESSIONS" CONFERENCE IN THE FALL OF 2024. $10,080 TO SUPPORT THE BUSKING PROGRAM.
FRANCISCAN SISTERS OF MARY
$15,253OUTSTANDING LOAN FORGIVENESS
ACTIVATE COMMUNITY POWER TO RE-DESIGN EDUCATION,HEALTH,JUSTICE SYSTEMS-EQUITABLE FOR ALL
FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS TO FURTHER THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE TAX EXEMPT RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION
GREATER ST LOUIS INC FOUNDATION
$250,000FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS TO FURTHER THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE TAX EXEMPT RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION
HOSCO SHIFT INC
$250,000FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS TO FURTHER THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE TAX EXEMPT RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION
ST. LOUIS KAPLAN FELDMAN HOLOCAUST MUSEUM CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
CORNELL WILL DESIGN, CONDUCT, AND ANALYZE CLIMATE MODEL SIMULATIONS WITH THE GOAL OF MORE SYSTEMATICALLY ASSESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF DIFFERENT PHYSICAL STRATOSPHERIC PROCESSES IN CONTRIBUTING TO OVERALL UNCERTAINTY IN PROJECTING THE EFFECTS OF STRATOSPHERIC AEROSOL INJECTION (SAI); A FORM OF SOLAR GEOENGINEERING. SIMULATIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED WITH THE CLIMATE MODEL CESM(WACCM) DEVELOPED BY NCAR. POTENTIAL SOURCES OF UNCERTAINTY TO BE EXPLORED INCLUDE THE ROLE OF STRATOSPHERIC AEROSOL HEATING, AEROSOL MICROPHYSICAL GROWTH ASSUMPTIONS, AND STRATOSPHERIC TRANSPORT. FUTURE DECISIONS SURROUNDING THE USE OF SAI TO DELIBERATELY COOL THE CLIMATE AND OFFSET SOME OF THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE WILL BE INFLUENCED NOT ONLY BY BEST-ESTIMATE PROJECTIONS OF THE EFFECTS, BUT EQUALLY IMPORTANT BY ASSESSMENTS OF THE CONFIDENCE IN THOSE PROJECTIONS. A SYSTEMATIC ASSESSMENT OF CONFIDENCE IS CURRENTLY LACKING, AND THIS PROJECT WILL LAY ESSENTIAL GROUNDWORK TOWARDS THAT END.
TO FUND THE CINEMA ST. LOUIS'S PROJECT TO SAVE THE HI-POINTE THEATRE IN ST.LOUIS, MO.
MISSOURI RIVER RELIEF
$100,000FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS TO FURTHER THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE TAX EXEMPT RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION
CARBON 180
$100,000RETHINK CARBON ADVANCING SOLUTIONS THAT TRANSFER CARBON FROM A POLLUTANT TO A RESOURCE
MISSOURI CONFLUENCE WATERKEEPER
$50,000FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS TO FURTHER THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE TAX EXEMPT RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION
THE KRANZBERG ARTS FOUNDATION
$50,000TO SUPPORT THE "INTERSESSIONS" CONFERENCE IN THE FALL OF 2023
SPARK CLIMATE SOLUTIONS INC
$1,037,500SUPPORT ACTIVITIES TO CATALYZE THE CREATION AND SCALING OF CLIMATE SOLUTION ECOSYSTEMS
HOSCO SHIFT INC
$250,000FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS TO FURTHER THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE TAX EXEMPT RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION
ACTIVATE COMMUNITY POWER TO RE-DESIGN EDUCATION,HEALTH,JUSTICE SYSTEMS-EQUITABLE FOR ALL
CARBON GAP LTD
$100,019SUPPORT CHARITABLE, SCIENTIFIC, AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES RELATED TO CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS
ADVANCE CENTRIST SOLUTIONS TO MAJOR ECONOMIC, NATIONAL SECURITY, ENERGY, AND SOCIAL POLICY ISSUES
CARBON 180
$100,000RETHINK CARBON ADVANCING SOLUTIONS THAT TRANSFER CARBON FROM A POLLUTANT TO A RESOURCE
ADVANCE KNOWLEDGE,CREATE TECH. TO ENHANCE HUMAN HEALTH, SAFETY, AND QUALITY OF LIFE
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY
$100,000SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH OF CREATING NOVEL MATERIALS SPECIFICALLY FOR INCREASING OCEAN ALKALINITY
RESEARCH CORPORATION DBA RESEARCH CORPORATION FOR SCIENCE ADVANCEMENT
$100,000TO ADVANCE EARLY STAGE, HIGH POTENTIAL, BASIC SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
RHODIUM GROUP LLC
$75,000FUND RESEARCH INTO COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENTS OF CUTTING EDGE CARBON DIOXIDE REMOVAL TECHNOLOGIES
STRENGTHENING PHILANTHROPIST'S ABILITY TO ACHIEVE RESULTS IN ADDRESSING SOCIETY'S CHALLENGES