IECF Overview
Founded in 1941, the Inland Empire Community Foundation is the oldest and largest community foundation serving the Inland region. We have deep roots here, and are committed to working with all who care passionately about improving our community. We come to the table with in-depth understanding of the IE and our nonprofit sector, extensive experience with our donors that can make a meaningful difference – now and in the future.
The Foundation operates in the largest geographic territory of any community foundation in the nation – more than 27,000 square miles, covering Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
While part of the Los Angeles media market, the Inland Empire has its own identity and is made up of 52 cities and towns and numerous unincorporated and rural areas. Combined, these counties have a population of 4.5 million residents. Within the region are sprawling suburbs, valleys, high-elevation and low-elevation deserts, and numerous mountain communities. Each place has its own distinct identity, demographics, strengths and challenges, and yet as a large region, the Inland Empire is an identity shared by most.
The Inland Empire is one of the fastest growing regions in California. Because of this, we face challenges to ensure shared prosperity, diverse and new leadership, and quality of life for all of its residents. But our opportunities are immense – new neighbors moving in each day; a wonderfully diverse and young population; new collaborations to solve big problems; the growth of sectors like IT, green tech, and advanced manufacturing; and growing arts and culture across both counties. We are excited by the possibilities of the Inland Empire, and understand that equity is an important part of our work. For us, equity means the application of an honest understanding of history and data to the issues we face.
The Inland Empire is at a juncture – balanced between the past and the future. Together, with you, we will push for that vibrant, prosperous, and shared future for all.
Our Vision
A vibrant, generous, and just region with unlimited opportunities.
Our Mission
Strengthening the Inland Empire through philanthropy.
Our Values
Integrity • Inclusion • Excellence • Collaboration • Knowledge
History
In 1941, Charles Brouse made a decision that would have a lasting impact on his community. A civic leader and banker, Brouse established The Riverside Foundation because he realized that the relationships he’d built throughout Riverside and its surrounding communities had filled his sails many times over during his career. He wanted to return that lifetime of support and a measure of his own success.
Brouse’s original bequest established an endowment to benefit students attending Riverside City College, and the foundation’s primary purpose became focused on scholarships. In the years that followed, the Foundation gradually broadened its focus – funding health and human services, civic benefit programs, arts and culture, and a variety of other causes. This broader focus led to expanded community impact and a name change in 1979 to The Riverside Community Foundation.
As change brought new challenges and opportunities to Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, the Foundation continued to adapt to serve a larger and more diverse population and service area. To reflect this expansion, The Foundation eventually became known as The Community Foundation – Serving the Counties of Riverside and San Bernardino.
Since inception, the Foundation has dispensed more than $100 million in grants and scholarships. Our scholarships have been given to every college and university within the two-county area, as well as to other institutions of higher learning across the country. Our donor-directed grantmaking funds arts and culture groups, youth and family agencies, environmental, animal, senior, vets and a variety of other causes and needs.
Now known as the Inland Empire Community Foundation, the Foundation manages assets of nearly $130 million from more than 395 funds.