The mission of the San Antonio River Foundation is to promote educational, cultural, and scientific projects and activities that enhance the conservation, stewardship, restoration, preservation, and enjoyment of the land and water resources of the San Antonio River Basin and its tributaries. Established in 2003 by the San Antonio River Authority, the San Antonio River Foundation was created to help raise funds for river improvements beyond those allocated through government funds.  Improving the San Antonio River is an ambitious project that is more than just changing the river's channel and reengineering the river to its natural state. The San Antonio River Foundation plays an integral part in the restoration and revitalization process by supporting educational and community awareness activities along the River as well as creating enhancements that complement the natural beauty of the river. Even with the range and scope of the governmental entities involved in the improvement project, the existing funding cannot accommodate everything and that's where the River Foundation comes in; raising private funds to enhance the river improvements and fully engage the community with the river. (from the organization’s website)