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 $127 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 317 funds.

Board of Directors

Inland Empire Community Foundation is governed by a volunteer board of directors who reflect the diversity of age, ethnicity, religion, geography, gender, and education in our region.

Nefertiti Long, MBA

Nefertiti Long, MBA

Chair of the Board

Chief Operating Officer, Alta Loma Enterprises

Jesse Melgar

Jesse Melgar

Vice Chair of the Board

Senior Advisor for Strategy & Public Affairs, UC Berkeley Possibility Lab

 

Kathy Johnson, CPA

Kathy Johnson, CPA

Treasurer of the Board

Vice President, J.S. Held

Joseph R. Williams

Joseph R. Williams

Secretary of the Board

Community Agent of Strategic Planning, Rialto Unified School District

Liliana Andriani

Liliana Andriani

Chief Executive Officer, Angel Jewelers

Dora Barilla, DrPH

Dora Barilla, DrPH

President of HC2 Strategies

Paulette Brown-Hinds, PhD

Paulette Brown-Hinds, PhD

Immediate Past Board Chair

President & Publisher
Voice Media Ventures

Robert Field

Robert Field

Public Sector Administrator

Jeremy Hobbs

Jeremy Hobbs

President,
Western Wind Foundation

Brian McDonald

Brian McDonald

Vice Chairman of the Tribe, Chemehuevi Indian Reservation

Jacob Mejia

Jacob Mejia

Vice President of Public and External Affairs, Pechanga Development Corporation 

Tomás D. Morales, PhD

Tomás D. Morales, PhD

President of California State University, San Bernardino

Marco Robles

Marco Robles

(Retired) Public Affairs Director, Cardenas Markets

Neal Waner

Neal Waner

CFP®, Partner, Stout Payne Waner

IECF Team

Our team of experts in finance, charitable giving, grantmaking and programs, and communications delivers quality service and support to our donors and nonprofit organizations. Meet our staff – we’re here to help.

R. Michelle Decker

R. Michelle Decker

President and CEO

Laurie Aldern

Laurie Aldern

Senior Communications Associate

Kelsey Bates

Kelsey Bates

Finance and Data Analyst

Alenny Cadag

Alenny Cadag

Accounting Supervisor

Celia Cudiamat

Celia Cudiamat

Senior Vice President, Grants and Community Impact

Yasmeen Dabbas

Yasmeen Dabbas

Program Associate, Grants and Community Impact

Charee Gillins

Charee Gillins

Marketing and Communications Director

Maite Gracian

Maite Gracian

Charitable Giving Associate

Brie Griset Smith

Brie Griset Smith

Senior Vice President, Charitable Giving

David Hernandez

David Hernandez

Forest & Fire Coordinator

Camille LaMaster

Camille LaMaster

Grants and Scholarships Assistant

John McGuirk

John McGuirk

Regional Charitable Giving Officer, Coachella Valley

Darcy McNaboe

Darcy McNaboe

Regional Charitable Giving Officer, San Bernardino

Graciela Moran

Graciela Moran

Associate Director of Policy & Community Engagement

Paula Myles

Paula Myles

Senior Vice President, Finance and Stewardship

Kim Potter

Kim Potter

Executive Assistant / Office Manager

Denisha Shackelford

Denisha Shackelford

Program Manager

What We Do

The Inland Empire Community Foundation is a nonprofit, public charity that helps individuals, families and businesses make a meaningful difference on the issues they care about in the community through permanent charitable funds.

Growing Giving

We partner with generous donors (individuals, families) to address the needs of residents in the Inland Empire by helping them meet their charitable goals and maximize the impact of their giving.

Asset Stewardship

IECF invests and administers $130 million in 317 separate charitable funds according to rigorous national standards to ensure gifts continue to grow and have an impact for generations to come.

Grantmaking

Through grantmaking, we support diverse nonprofit organizations in their important work with arts and culture, children and families, civic and environmental benefit, education and scholarships, health and human services, and more.

Community Leadership

In our capacity as a convener, we bring together nonprofits, business, government, academia, and other key stakeholders to identify community needs and develop collaborative solutions.

Investments

Prudent and strategic investment of assets is central to our ability to conserve capital, secure a positive return, and enhance the quality of life in the communities we serve.

Asset Allocation & Philosophy

The Foundation stewards a robust portfolio with a long-term time horizon that is invested in accordance with the core principle that a diversified portfolio across different asset classes should provide a sustainable rate of income while minimizing volatility. The portfolio is periodically rebalanced to target allocations, maintain portfolio equilibrium, increase value, and support donor’s spending over the long term.

Process & Governance

The Foundation’s Investment Committee and independent investment consultants continually review:

  • Strategic Investment Opportunities
  • Portfolio Allocations
  • Fund Manager Analysis
  • Investment Performance
  • Manager Searches (as needed)
  • Market Environment
  • Capital Market Assumptions

The Investment Committee is focused on best practices and a sound investment policy for the benefit of donors.

Investment Documents

Executive Summary for Long Term Pool
Investment Performance & Commentary
Executive Summary for Short/Medium Pool
Executive Summary for Medium Pool
Executive Summary for ESG Pool
Investment Policy Statement

Independent Investment Consultant

Inland Empire Community Foundation has utilized Verus as its independent investment manager for over 13 years.

Ms. Anne Westreich, CFA
Senior Consultant
Verus

Ms. Westreich provides a broad range of investment consulting services to clients to assist them in reaching their long-term investment goals. Prior to joining Verus in 2006, Ms. Westreich was a Portfolio Manager/Analyst at Provident Investment Counsel and an Analyst at Hughes Investment Management Company. Ms. Westreich’s 20 years of institutional investment management experience, analytical skills, and deep knowledge of financial markets help our clients meet the difficult challenges of developing and implementing an effective investment policy. Ms. Westreich’s background within a plan sponsor provides a level of understanding of our clients’ needs, while her portfolio management experience provides a unique perspective when analyzing investment managers. In addition to Ms. Westreich’s consulting responsibilities, she also serves as a member of the Research Advisory Committee.

Investment Committee:

IECF BOARD
Mr. Neal Waner, Committee Chair, CFP, Partner, Stout Payne Waner
Mr. Jeremy Hobbs, President, Western Wind Foundation
Ms. Kathy Johnson, Vice President, J.S. Held
Mr. Rob Field, City Manager, City of San Bernardino
Mr. Joseph R. Williams, Community Agent of Strategic Planning, Rialto Unified School District

COMMUNITY MEMBERS
Mr. J. Sergio Bohon, Senior Financial Advisor, Senior Vice President Wells Fargo
Mr. Gary Roth, First Vice President, UBS Wealth Management
Mr. J. Kirk Harns, President, Pacific Hydrotech Corporation
Mr. Dwight Tate

 

Paula Myles

Paula Myles

Senior Vice President, Finance and Stewardship

951.241.7777
extension 115
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Job Opportunities

Education Equity Officer

IECF is seeking a justice and equity-oriented Director of Education Equity to shape and guide our education funding programs and regional engagement to ensure all Inland Empire students have fair and just opportunities to maximize their educational success. Reporting to IECF’s Senior Vice President for Grants and Community Impact, with involvement by the CEO, the Director will lead a foundation strategy to reduce barriers and advance educational justice for underserved and under-resourced students of color, low-income students, English language learners, students with disabilities, and other marginalized groups.

Key duties include developing IECF’s strategic plan for education equity grantmaking, partnering with regional and statewide education stakeholders, designing targeted grant programs to expand opportunities for students of color and low-income students, and evaluating the impact of foundation investments in closing achievement gaps. We seek an experienced equity champion to drive meaningful change through our education-focused community investments and provide additional capacity to the Inland Empire’s shared goal of increasing educational attainment to spur the creation of high-road jobs. Qualifications include 5+ years in education or education policy, knowledge of research-based equity practices, project management skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively and convene diverse community partners.

Please review the Job Description here.

Please send a cover letter outlining your fit and passion for the job of Finance and Programs Assistant along with a resume to Kim Potter. The position will remain open until a successful candidate is found and hired.  Please check our website to determine if the posting is still open. For questions, contact Kim Potter, Executive Assistant.

EEO STATEMENT
Inland Empire Community Foundation is an equal-opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. The company will not discriminate on the basis of race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), color, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and/or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, national origin (including language use restrictions), ancestry, citizenship status, uniformed service member or veteran status, marital status, age, medical condition (genetic characteristics, cancer-related), physical or mental disability (including HIV and AIDS), gender, gender identity, or gender expression. It also includes a perception that anyone may have any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics. All such discrimination is unlawful.

 

 

 

Finance and Programs Assistant

Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF) has an immediate opening for a Finance and Programs Assistant to provide administrative and logistical support for IECF’s busy Finance and Programs Teams. In addition, this position is the primary receptionist for IECF, answering phones, greeting visitors and maintaining a professional appearance of the front desk and lobby area. Responsibilities include:

• Assisting with monthly accounts payable and accounts receivable processes by preparing paperwork, scanning, filing and mailing
• Editing, proofing and formatting grant documents in Excel and Word
• Coordination of meetings, both virtual and in-person
• Answering incoming calls and directing callers to appropriate staff

Please review the Job Description here.

HOW TO APPLY

Please send a cover letter outlining your fit and passion for the job of Finance and Programs Assistant along with a resume to Kim Potter. The position will remain open until a successful candidate is found and hired. The full Job Description for the position can be found here iegives.org/about/iecf-overview/#job-opportunities. Please check our website to determine if the posting is still open.  For questions, contact Kim Potter, Executive Assistant.

EEO STATEMENT
Inland Empire Community Foundation is an equal-opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. The company will not discriminate on the basis of race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), color, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and/or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, national origin (including language use restrictions), ancestry, citizenship status, uniformed service member or veteran status, marital status, age, medical condition (genetic characteristics, cancer-related), physical or mental disability (including HIV and AIDS), gender, gender identity, or gender expression. It also includes a perception that anyone may have any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics. All such discrimination is unlawful.

 

 

 

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