Who We Are
Our Mission & Values
The Rainwater Charitable FoundationTM (RCF) is dedicated to sustainable solutions across all areas we serve. Over the years, RCF’s funding has evolved to serve North Texas education and family economic security, medical research focused on neurodegenerative diseases, and initiatives in East Africa.
Founded by Richard E. Rainwater in 1991, RCF began funding with a strong commitment to education and the belief that it has the power to transform lives. Through both school-based work and systems, RCF recognized that schools are a crucial lever of change for neighborhoods and society as a whole.
In 2009, founder Richard Rainwater was diagnosed with a rare neurodegenerative disease called Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). As a result, Rainwater Charitable Foundation created a funding program called the Tau Consortium to accelerate treatments for a class of neurodegenerative diseases called tauopathies. Since then, RCF has developed other medical research initiatives, including the Rainwater Prize, all focused on finding a cure for tauopathies.
At RCF, we are guided by our values of innovation, accountability, and collaboration. We believe in using innovative solutions to tackle complex problems and that our grant-making should be held accountable for making a positive difference in people’s lives. We strive to collaborate with like-minded organizations to achieve shared goals and create lasting change.
In all areas of giving, RCF seeks to employ the same strategies and values that Mr. Rainwater used for business investments. We seek out programs with measurable success, strong leadership, and the ability to scale for greater impact.
We support visionary solutions in the areas where we work by:
- Approaching our relationships with respect, gratitude, and humility
- Prioritizing visionary and transformative solutions to improve lives
- Striving to be both pragmatic and learning-oriented
- Championing meaningful and impactful collaboration
- Seeking to maintain a sense of urgency in our work
- Adhering to high moral and ethical principles
- Valuing equity, empathy, and compassion for all
- Embracing teamwork
