Rivian’s mission to build a sustainable future goes beyond electric vehicles and energy solutions. In November 2021, alongside its landmark IPO, the company made a powerful commitment: dedicating 1% of its equity to establish the Rivian Foundation, an independent 501(c)(3) private foundation. This initiative was born from founder RJ Scaringe’s vision to create a world where the future generations—our kids’ kids’ kids—can thrive. The foundation complements Rivian’s efforts by focusing on long-term environmental and social impact.
A Mission to Safeguard Our Planet
The Rivian Foundation exists with a clear mission: to ensure future generations inherit a planet rich in natural beauty, abundance, and adventure. Its vision includes thriving ecosystems—from pristine rivers to biodiverse forests—that inspire a connection to nature. The foundation also seeks to ensure that underrepresented communities not only benefit from but lead the transformation to a sustainable and clean energy economy.
At its core, the foundation operates within two priority areas:
- Safeguarding a Healthy Planet
- Advancing a Better Energy Future for All
By funding innovative projects that address these areas, the foundation drives progress on interconnected environmental, social, and climate challenges, ensuring its initiatives deliver holistic, long-lasting benefits.
Focus Areas: Protecting Nature and Communities
1. Safeguarding a Healthy Planet
Under this program, the Rivian Foundation emphasizes three key areas:
- Local Stewardship of Healthy Lands and Waters: Empowering local communities to conserve and restore their natural environments.
- Equitable Access to Nature: Ensuring all communities, particularly underrepresented ones, have access to outdoor spaces and environmental benefits.
- Natural Climate Solutions: Supporting projects that leverage nature’s ability to mitigate climate change, such as reforestation, habitat restoration, and sustainable land management.
2. Advancing a Better Energy Future for All
In its pursuit of a cleaner energy economy, the foundation supports:
- Clean Energy Equity: Addressing energy inequality by supporting communities that are disproportionately impacted by climate change and providing them with access to renewable energy solutions.
- Getting Transition Minerals Right: Ensuring that as the world transitions to clean energy, the sourcing of critical minerals for technologies like batteries is done sustainably and responsibly, with a focus on human rights and environmental protections.
Empowering Communities to Lead
The Rivian Foundation places a strong emphasis on inclusion, striving to elevate underrepresented communities as leaders in the clean energy revolution. This commitment ensures a future where marginalized groups are not left behind but instead become key innovators and decision-makers in shaping a more equitable and sustainable world.
By funding projects that drive progress across multiple program areas, the foundation recognizes that the challenges we face—environmental degradation, climate change, and social inequality—are deeply interconnected. Rivian Foundation grants empower leaders, organizations, and communities to create transformative and lasting impact, benefiting not only today’s populations but future generations as well.
A Future Inspired by Nature
The work of the Rivian Foundation reflects a deep belief that a healthy, sustainable planet is essential for future generations to experience the wonder and adventure of the natural world. From supporting grassroots environmental stewardship to advancing clean energy for all, the foundation’s initiatives seek to create a future where every community can thrive in harmony with nature.
To learn more about the Rivian Foundation and the exceptional organizations it supports, visit rivianfoundation.org. Be inspired by the stories of the communities and leaders making a tangible difference today for a brighter, more sustainable tomorrow.
This dedication to long-term environmental and social impact positions Rivian as not just a leader in the electric vehicle industry but also a champion for a sustainable and equitable future. The Rivian Foundation’s work ensures that as we drive toward cleaner energy and healthier ecosystems, no one is left behind.