Columbia Riverkeeper
Columbia Riverkeeper is a Portland, OR-based 501(c)(3) (EIN 91-1583492) that protects and restores the water quality of the Columbia River through legal advocacy, community organizing, science, and education. The organization runs water-quality monitoring (Swim Guide) and campaigns on clean water, salmon recovery, climate and cleanup of contaminated sites.
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A small-to-medium regional environmental or climate advocacy group (often Oregon or Pacific Northwest–based) running campaign or coalition work related to river protection, clean water, fossil-fuel opposition, or community organizing.
Good Fit
- • Work focused on river or water-quality protection, salmon recovery, or clean-water campaigns
- • Based in Oregon or elsewhere in the Pacific Northwest (or partnering with PNW groups)
- • Project or campaign requests in the typical range observed (roughly $7K–$47K, with medians near $15K)
- • Participation in coalitions or collaborative campaign work
- • Capacity for advocacy, community organizing, or legal/monitoring activities tied to river protection
Geography
Giving is regionally concentrated: about two-thirds of 2024 dollars went to Oregon, but grants reached organizations in four states, indicating a Pacific Northwest regional footprint with occasional out-of-region partners.
Recipient Variety
The funder supported a substantial number of distinct recipients (12 in 2024 and 14 in 2022) with only a small set of repeat grantees across years, indicating a broad and diverse recipient set for the funder's size.
New Applicants
Direct behavioral evidence shows strong turnover—nine of 12 recipients in the latest year were new—so despite no formal application guidelines the funder demonstrably brings new entrants into the portfolio.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
