The Hudson River Foundation
The Hudson River Foundation is a 501(c)-style nonprofit that distributes grants and administers environmental trusts to fund scientific research, habitat restoration, and community resilience programs for the Hudson River, estuary, and watershed.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1981
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The Hudson River Foundation does
The Hudson River Foundation (HRF) is a 501(c)-style nonprofit foundation established in 1981 and headquartered at 17 Battery Place, New York. Its stated mission is to support scientific research and engagement that informs decision-making for the Hudson River, estuary, and watershed. HRF operates a portfolio of grant programs (Hudson River Fund Research Grants, Community Resilience Grants, Tibor T. Polgar and Mark B. Bain Fellowships), a sustained ecological monitoring initiative (the Hudson River Ecosystem Monitoring Program - HREMP, built on over 40 years of historical fisheries data from Stony Brook University, NYSDEC, and the Cary Institute), and conservation programs including the Sturgeon Net Conservation Benefit (SNCB) Program.
Since 2023, HRF has served as Trust Administrator for the $117 million, 35-year Champlain Hudson Environmental Trust (CHET), a fund established during the permitting of the Champlain Hudson Power Express transmission line to support habitat restoration along the corridor. HRF also operates the NY-NJ Harbor & Estuary Program (HEP), one of 28 National Estuary Programs authorized under the federal Clean Water Act, and uses this platform to convene government agencies (NYSDEC, NJDEP, NYC Parks, EPA), academic institutions, and civic-sector organizations around a published 2025-2035 Action Agenda.
HRF's business model is grantmaking and trust administration rather than product sales. Revenue streams are grants, donations, trust administrative fees, and pass-through funding. Customers/stakeholders span research scientists and academic institutions, community nonprofits, government agencies, and municipalities in the Hudson-Raritan Estuary watershed. HRF distributes funding via competitive RFPs through ProposalCentral and amplifies its mission through publications (State of the Estuary Reports), the Tidal Exchange newsletter, the Edward A. Ames Seminars, City of Water Day, and an annual HEP conference.
The Hudson River Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Hudson River Foundation
- Legal name
- Hudson River Foundation
- Website
- https://hudsonriver.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1981
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Hudson River Foundation is a 501(c)-style nonprofit that distributes grants and administers environmental trusts to fund scientific research, habitat restoration, and community resilience programs for the Hudson River, estuary, and watershed.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Hudson River Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Environmental Grantmaking and Conservation Services
- NAICS
- Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Water Resources & Watershed Protection (BPAGAGAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM), Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)
Keywords
Where The Hudson River Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
The Hudson River Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Foundation Grants and Donations: The Hudson River Foundation operates as a nonprofit organization funded through grants, donations, and foundation resources to support scientific research, habitat restoration, and community engagement programs for the Hudson River ecosystem.
- Champlain Hudson Environmental Trust (CHET) Administration: HRF serves as Trust Administrator for the $117 million CHET fund established to protect and improve habitats and fisheries along the Champlain Hudson Power Express transmission corridor. The foundation receives administrative fees for managing this 35-year funding commitment.
- Grant Programs: HRF distributes competitive grants to researchers, community organizations, and government agencies through various programs including Hudson River Fund Research Grants, community resilience grants, and habitat restoration funding.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Annual | Tibor T. Polgar Fellowship - Undergraduate and graduate student summer research grants |
| Other | Annual | Mark B. Bain Graduate Fellowship - Full-time research fellowships for advanced graduate students |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Community Resilience Grants - Building Community Capacity for Resiliency |
| Other | Multi-year contract | CHET Priority Projects - Various habitat restoration and research grants |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
The Hudson River Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Hudson River Foundation distributes competitive grants and administers funding programs supporting scientific research, ecosystem monitoring, and habitat restoration for the Hudson River and its watershed. It operates the NY-NJ Harbor & Estuary Program (HEP), a Clean Water Act-authorized collaboration of government, scientists, and civic organizations, and administers the $117 million Champlain Hudson Environmental Trust (CHET) for 35-year habitat enhancement along the CHPE transmission corridor.
Product overview
The Hudson River Foundation is an environmental nonprofit organization (not a technology company) that operates a portfolio of grant programs, research initiatives, and community engagement activities focused on the Hudson River ecosystem. The core offerings include: Hudson River Fund Research Grants supporting scientific research on the Hudson River ecosystem; the Hudson River Ecosystem Monitoring Program (HREMP) for comprehensive ecological monitoring; the Tibor T. Polgar Undergraduate Fellowship for student researchers; the NY-NJ Harbor & Estuary Program (HEP) as a regional collaborative; Community Resilience Grants for climate adaptation; the Sturgeon Net Conservation Benefit (SNCB) Program for aquatic conservation; and the Champlain Hudson Environmental Trust (CHET), a $117 million environmental trust administered by HRF. Additional offerings include State of the Estuary Reports, Edward A. Ames Seminars, Artist in Residence Programs, City of Water Day events, and Capacity Building Trainings. These programs collectively support research, restoration, public access, and stewardship of the Hudson River and surrounding estuary.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- NY-NJ Harbor & Estuary Program (HEP): A collaboration of government, scientists and the civic sector that helps protect, restore, and provide access to the Hudson River Estuary. One of 28 such programs authorized under the Clean Water Act.
- Champlain Hudson Environmental Trust (CHET)
- Hudson River Fund
- Hudson River Ecosystem Monitoring Program (HREMP)
Products and services
- Hudson River Fund Research Grants Scientific research grants supporting studies on all aspects of the Hudson River ecosystem, with emphasis on understanding ecosystem changes and human community interactions. Awarded to researchers and academic institutions.
- Hudson River Ecosystem Monitoring Program (HREMP)
- Tibor T. Polgar Undergraduate Fellowship Student research program conducted in cooperation with NYSDEC providing summer grants (up to $5,000) for undergraduate and graduate students to conduct research on the Hudson River.
- NY-NJ Harbor & Estuary Program (HEP) A collaboration of government, scientists and the civic sector that helps protect, restore, and provide access to the Hudson River Estuary. One of 28 programs authorized under the Clean Water Act.
- Community Resilience Grants Grants supporting communities to advance research, planning, and infrastructure projects that increase resilience to extreme weather events and water quality issues. Total of $350,000 available through 4-6 grants for projects completed by June 30, 2027.
- Sturgeon Net Conservation Benefit (SNCB) Program Research program in collaboration with NYSDEC to advance understanding of sturgeon movements, habitat use, and migration pathways in NY Harbor and the Hudson River.
- Champlain Hudson Environmental Trust (CHET) A $117 million fund established to protect and improve habitats and fisheries along the Champlain Hudson Power Express transmission corridor, administered by HRF as Trust Administrator over a 35-year funding commitment.
- State of the Estuary Reports Environmental trend reports presenting monitoring data and research on the Hudson-Raritan Estuary and its watersheds for program managers, partner organizations, and the public.
- Edward A. Ames Seminars Educational seminar series focused on Hudson River science, conservation, and environmental topics for professional development and knowledge sharing.
Quantifiable outcome
- CHET has awarded $3.5M to 7 projects in first round and $865,000 to 6 projects in second round for habitat restoration
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use The Hudson River Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Hudson River Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
The Hudson River Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.
- Champlain Hudson Environmental Trust Governance CommitteecoreHRF serves as Trust Administrator for CHET, working closely with nine member organizations including NY State agencies, NYC, Scenic Hudson, Riverkeeper, and Trout Unlimited to establish priorities for research and restoration in Lake Champlain and Hudson/Harlem/East Rivers.
- NY-NJ Harbor & Estuary Program (HEP)coreHEP is a collaboration of government, scientists and the civic sector that helps protect, restore, and provide access to the Hudson River Estuary. It is one of 28 programs authorized under the Clean Water Act.
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)coreHRF works closely with NYSDEC on the Hudson River Ecosystem Monitoring Program (HREMP), fisheries surveys, and sturgeon conservation programs including the Sturgeon Net Conservation Benefit (SNCB) Program.
- Stony Brook UniversitymajorHRF collaborates with Stony Brook University which manages historical Hudson River monitoring data sets. Dr. Yong Chen from SBU leads projects on metadata records and data analysis for the HREMP.
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem StudiesmajorCary Institute manages historical Hudson River monitoring data and collaborates on fisheries data analysis as part of the HREMP program.
- Waterfront AlliancemajorHEP and Waterfront Alliance co-organize City of Water Day, a region-wide event championing climate-resilient waterfronts across NY and NJ.
- NYC ParksmajorNYC Parks collaborates on Harlem River restoration projects including North Cove and Academy Street living shoreline restorations, and hosts various HEP programs.
- Urban Waters Federal PartnershipsupportingHEP participates in Urban Waters Partnerships including Bronx and Harlem Rivers Urban Waters Federal Partnership for coordinated environmental restoration efforts.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Hudson River Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Chesapeake Bay Trust: A nonprofit grantmaking and administrative trust dedicated exclusively to Chesapeake Bay restoration, education, and community engagement. Highly comparable to HRF as a state-region-focused environmental grantmaking foundation that operates grant programs, fellowships, and partnerships with state agencies and academic institutions.
- Partnership for the Delaware Estuary: One of the 28 National Estuary Programs under the Clean Water Act, dedicated to protecting and restoring the Delaware Estuary. Direct peer to HRF's NY-NJ HEP because both serve as NEP host organizations delivering science, restoration, and community engagement in their respective estuaries.
- San Francisco Estuary Institute: A nonprofit scientific institute delivering applied environmental science for the San Francisco Bay-Delta, analogous to HRF's HREMP. Comparable in mission of producing estuary science and monitoring data to inform regional management decisions.
- Tampa Bay Estuary Program: One of the 28 National Estuary Programs and a comparable regional convening body for Tampa Bay restoration. Analogous to HRF/HEP in combining stakeholder coordination, science-based Action Agendas, and grant distribution.
- Barnegat Bay Partnership: A New Jersey-based National Estuary Program focused on Barnegat Bay. Comparable peer given overlapping NJ geography and similar NEP convening, monitoring, and grantmaking functions.
- Peconic Estuary Program: The Long Island-based National Estuary Program. Direct peer to HRF's HEP because of its NEP designation, regional focus on a NY waterbody, and portfolio of grant-funded restoration and monitoring programs.
- Riverkeeper: A Hudson-Raritan focused waterway advocacy and watchdog nonprofit operating in the same geographic footprint as HRF. Direct peer for Hudson River science, advocacy, and water quality grantmaking, and listed as a CHET governance committee partner of HRF.
- Scenic Hudson: A Hudson Valley-focused land conservation and advocacy organization. Peer to HRF given overlapping Hudson River mission, geographic overlap with HRF/HEP, and role as a CHET governance committee member alongside HRF.
- Casco Bay Estuary Partnership: A Maine-based National Estuary Program with a similar model of combining federal authorization, local convening, science, and grantmaking. Comparable peer in NEP structure and capacity even though operating in a different region.
Broad incumbents
- The Nature Conservancy (New York): Global environmental nonprofit with a substantial New York chapter that conducts watershed and estuary science, restoration, and grantmaking at much larger scale than HRF. Broad incumbent peer because its NY portfolio overlaps with HRF's Hudson-Raritan priorities while operating across many more geographies and ecosystems.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Hudson River Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceThe Hudson River Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Hudson River Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
The Hudson River Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Hudson River Foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Hudson River Foundation
What does The Hudson River Foundation do?
The Hudson River Foundation distributes competitive grants and administers funding programs supporting scientific research, ecosystem monitoring, and habitat restoration for the Hudson River and its watershed. It operates the NY-NJ Harbor & Estuary Program (HEP), a Clean Water Act-authorized collaboration of government, scientists, and civic organizations, and administers the $117 million Champlain Hudson Environmental Trust (CHET) for 35-year habitat enhancement along the CHPE transmission corridor.
Is The Hudson River Foundation a public or private company?
The Hudson River Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Hudson River Foundation founded?
The Hudson River Foundation was founded in 1981. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Hudson River Foundation based?
The Hudson River Foundation is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Hudson River Foundation make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Foundation Grants and Donations are the primary driver. The others are champlain Hudson Environmental Trust (CHET) Administration and grant Programs.
Who are The Hudson River Foundation's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Chesapeake Bay Trust, Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, San Francisco Estuary Institute, Tampa Bay Estuary Program, Barnegat Bay Partnership, Peconic Estuary Program, Riverkeeper, Scenic Hudson and Casco Bay Estuary Partnership. The Nature Conservancy (New York) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does The Hudson River Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Hudson River Foundation.
What industry is The Hudson River Foundation in?
The Hudson River Foundation's product category is Environmental Grantmaking and Conservation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAK, Water Resources & Watershed Protection, with a secondary code of BPAGAKAM, Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations. Its NAICS code is 813312 and its SIC code is 8731.