Last week, Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF) President & CEO Michelle Decker and Graciela Moran, Manager of the Office of Policy & Engagement, were in Washington, D.C. for Foundations on the Hill, joining philanthropic leaders from across the country to engage directly with federal policymakers.
In addition to participating in the conference, IECF carried out a focused advocacy effort on Capitol Hill. The goal was to elevate the Inland Empire’s inclusion in conversations shaping federal policy and funding decisions.
Organized by the United Philanthropy Forum, Foundations on the Hill is designed to strengthen relationships between philanthropy and lawmakers while elevating the role the sector plays in supporting communities. These conversations move beyond grantmaking and into how policy decisions shape long-term outcomes, ensuring the voice of the nonprofit sector is reflected in federal priorities.
IECF participated as part of the California delegation, partnering with The California Wellness Foundation and the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation to bring forward a coordinated perspective on what communities across the state are experiencing, while ensuring the Inland Empire was clearly represented. As part of that Senate engagement, SAC Health Foundation contributed direct healthcare system insight and Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants & Refugees elevated the experiences of immigrant communities, anchoring the conversation in what families and nonprofit partners are seeing on the ground.
IECF’s presence in D.C. reflects our commitment to regional leadership and the responsibility we hold for our communities. As a place-based community foundation now entering our 85th year, IECF is rooted in the Inland Empire and committed to the region for the long term. Federal decisions shape how resources flow into communities, and it is vital that the Inland Empire is not only included, but understood and prioritized. As one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, the Inland Empire continues to play a critical role in California’s economy, yet investment has not kept pace with that growth. IECF is championing the need for robust nonprofit partners, modern charitable giving tools, and sustained public investment that aligns with the Inland Empire’s true scale and potential.
Rep. Pete Aguilar with Michelle Decker
During the week, IECF met directly with members of the Inland Empire Congressional delegation, including Senator Alex Padilla and Senator Adam Schiff, along with several House offices, including Representative Pete Aguilar and Representative Jay Obernolte, representing Riverside and San Bernardino counties. These conversations with legislators allowed us to detail IECF’s role in the Inland Empire and the Vital Conditions framework, highlighting the value of a foundation rooted in the region and committed to long-term, multi-sector engagement.
Across meetings, IECF reviewed regional insights grounded in our work and partnerships across the Inland Empire. These included housing stability, community health, workforce pathways, regional economic development, wildfire resilience, local journalism, and the broader economic pressures facing families and nonprofit organizations. IECF also shared updates on the region’s economic development work, the importance of strengthening nonprofit sustainability, and the need to address the Inland Empire’s persistent giving and funding gaps. These conversations helped underscore that while philanthropy cannot fill every gap alone, it plays a critical role in organizing partners, aligning strategy, and helping the region compete for investment.
Michelle Decker with Rep. Jay Obernolte
Through its briefings and direct engagement, the IECF team was able to answer questions, provide context on the region’s opportunities and pressures, and elevate the work already being led by nonprofit and community partners. Whether discussing housing, community health, wildfire resilience, workforce and sector strategies, or charitable giving policy, IECF reinforced a consistent message: the Inland Empire has leadership, momentum, and solutions already underway, and stronger alignment can help those efforts grow and deliver impact at scale. The foundation’s role is not to replace government, but to help the region organize, align, and be ready for investment.
A consistent takeaway across the meetings was that the Inland Empire is being recognized for both its growth and its readiness. There is growing understanding that progress in the region requires coordination across sectors and that community foundations like IECF have an important role to play in carrying community voice, supporting nonprofit partners, and helping translate policy into impact.
This work continues beyond Washington. IECF will build on these relationships, continue advocating alongside partners, and keep bringing visibility to the opportunities and challenges shaping the Inland Empire.
Through important conversations like these, IECF will continue to ensure our region is represented, aligned, and moving forward together.
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