The Klamath River Fund (KRF) is a new program focused on community-led climate resilience and restorative justice work in the Klamath Basin. Following 2024’s historic dam removal, the fund will be using the opportunity to amplify restoration and revitalization efforts over the next 10 years. The dam removal was the culmination of a two-decade campaign led by the Karuk, Yurok, and Klamath Tribes and allies in the fishing and environmental communities. Now we have another generational project ahead of us: restoring the ecosystem so the region can thrive ecologically, economically, and culturally.
River Restoration is an Investment in People and the Environment
The Klamath River Fund was created with a generous contribution from the William & Flora Hewlett Foundation, which has been matched in generosity to date by The James Irvine Foundation, the Roundhouse Foundation, Meyer Memorial Trust, Tamalpais Trust, the Jubitz Foundation, The California Endowment, the MacArthur Foundation, the Bella Vista Foundation, and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. The fund, which has now grown to nearly $12 million, will continue to pursue its goal of supporting the communities of the Klamath River Basin through 2033.
In addition to increasing funding for Tribal and rural community needs, the KRF seeks to create a comprehensive effort to advance climate and community resilience within the Klamath River watershed, from its headwaters to its mouth. We also aim to assess and facilitate effective grantmaking, strategy coordination, and technical assistance to support Tribal and local community-driven restoration and revitalization priorities. Ultimately, we believe the dam removal and the Klamath River Fund can demonstrate how river restoration is an investment in climate resilience, community resilience, and restorative justice.
Grants and Sponsorships Boost Restoration, Cultural Revitalization, Storytelling, and More
Through two grant opportunities—Catalyst and Community Impact grants—we’re able to support nonprofits, Tribes, and community organizations in the Klamath River Basin. Here are some of our grant recipients through October 2024.
- California Trout, in collaboration with the Klamath Tribes, Karuk Tribe, and Yurok Tribe, for initial fish monitoring post-dam removal
- Klamath-Trinity Joint Unified School District for its Fish Fair
- Family Water Alliance for the Klamath Basin Fish Screen Program
- Hoopa Valley Public Utilities District
- Ridges to Riffles for General Operating Support
- Save California Salmon for General Operating Support
- Scott River Watershed Council for a Resilience Hub
- Shasta Indian Nation Project Planning and Support
- Sustainable Northwest for the Salmon Homecoming Celebration
Sponsorships supported:
- The 21st Annual Salmon Run
- The Klamath Gathering of Salmon People
- The Modoc Ancestral Run
- Paddle Tribal Waters
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Read through more highlights from the 2023-2024 HAF+WRCF Annual Report and Yearbook.