Where Giving has Grown for Over 80 Years

The Inland Empire Community Foundation

In 1941, Charles Brouse established The Community Foundation to provide scholarships for local students attending Riverside City College. Eighty years later, it’s easy to imagine that Charles would be proud – and perhaps astounded – at the extraordinary commitment our communities have made to his vision of philanthropy. Today, the Inland Empire Community Foundation invests and administers more than $120 million in charitable assets entrusted to us by generous donors for the benefit of students, families, and the pressing needs of our times.

We are a Foundation of and for the community. 2022 marked a landmark celebration of our 80th Anniversary during which we honored the past and embraced the future. Together, we’re walking into the next 80 years emboldened by the history of our accomplishments. True to Charles Brouse’s vision, we will combine our passions and resources to make the Inland Empire even better than we found it.

Signature Funds in Celebration of IECF’s 80th Anniversary

IE Black Equity Fund

CIELO Fund

FRieNDS of Veterans Fund

Fund for a Creative IE

Here for Good Fund

Journalism Innovation Hub+ Fund

Salton Sea Fund

Women's Giving Fund

Signature Funds PDF

1941

Local civic leader and banker Charles Brouse establishes the Riverside Distribution Committee, the precursor to The Community Foundation.

1950

During this time, the Foundation’s primary focus was on providing scholarships to needy and deserving students to attend Riverside Community College and the University of California, Riverside.

1960

The Foundation contributes more than $1 million to University of California, Riverside from endowed scholarship funds and discretionary grants.

1965

Scholarship recipients of the Brouse Scholarship Program.

1970

UCR lounge named after founder Charles Brouse.

The Foundation receives its first gift from a private foundation, the Johnson Foundation, to benefit several causes important to the Johnson family.

1979

The Foundation changes to The Riverside Community Foundation, expanding its focus on funding a variety of causes such as arts and culture, health, human services, and civic benefit programs.

1980

The Disbursement Committee develops its first report, which highlights the gifts from prominent citizens.

1993

The first, full-time Executive Director is hired to oversee the work of the Foundation and to enhance philanthropy and giving in the region.

2000

2000’s

The Foundation serves larger geographic area and adopts The Community Foundation name with the tag line “Serving Riverside and San Bernardino Counties”.

2004

Mrs. Fouke-Wortz gives the Foundation $4 million, the largest gift to date.

2008

TCF distributes a record-breaking $4.1 million for scholarships and support of hundreds of nonprofits.

2009

The Youth Grantmakers program launches in Riverside to cultivate young philanthropists.

2011

The Foundation receives $500,000 grant from the Irvine Foundation for its Regional Leadership Initiatives.

2012

The S.L. Gimbel Foundation makes a gift of nearly $4 million, almost doubling their gift the year prior. With the two gifts combined, the S.L. Gimbel Foundation is the largest single fund in the history of the Foundation.

The Youth Grantmakers program expands into Coachella Valley, the city of San Bernardino and the High Desert.

2013

TCF opens an office in Palm Springs to increase its presence in the Coachella Valley.

2014

Give BIG San Bernardino County and Give BIG Riverside County collectively raises $953,000 from 426 nonprofits.

2015

The Foundation awards $7.3 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, of which $1.7 million was for scholarships and education.

The Foundation receives Foundation of the Year Awards from AFP Desert Communities and Inland Empire Chapters.

2016

The Foundation celebrates 75 years of philanthropy at Gala Event in Riverside. Since its founding, TCF has made $86 million in grants and scholarships.

Anniversary Gala raises $115,000 for Youth Grantmakers program. Since inception, 150 participants have awarded over $200,000 to nearly 100 nonprofits serving young people.

2017

The Foundation receives $595,000 from College Futures Foundation to increase college completion rates among low-income students in the region.

2018

The Foundation welcomes new President and CEO, R. Michelle Decker.

2019

The Foundation receives $2.4 million from the CA Census to fund and mobilize local organizations in hard-to-count communities in the Inland Empire.

The Youth Grantmakers Program turns 10!

The Foundation receives $1 million gift from City of Lake Elsinore to establish the Carl Graves Endowment Scholarship Fund, benefiting graduating seniors in the district.

The Foundation officially changes to Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF), refreshing its brand to grow local giving, amplify our story and inspire collaboration in the IE.

2020

IECF establishes the IE COVID-19 Resilience Fund, raising over $800,000. Over 63 grants were made to IE nonprofits for their operations and survival during the pandemic.

IECF helps administers $10 million in financial support through the Riverside County Nonprofit Assistance Fund and San Bernardino County Assistance Fund bringing aid to organizations significantly impacted by COVID-19 crisis.

IECF selects Julian Cuevas as new Director of Policy & Governmental Affairs.

The IE Black Equity Initiative establishes the IE Black Equity Fund to benefit and empower black-serving organizations in the Inland Empire.

2021

IECF names first African American Board Chair, Dr. Paulette Brown-Hinds.

IECF launches new Policy & Engagement Office to build policy capacity in the region.