IECF’s Office of Policy & Engagement (OPE), launched in 2021 with support from the Gates Foundation, collaborates with community organizations to uplift their missions and drive meaningful policy change in a mercurial landscape.

OPE advances initiatives through state advocacy, alignment of public and private funding opportunities, and participation in forums such as the annual IECF Policy & Philanthropy Summits. This year, IECF leadership attended the 22nd Annual Foundations on the Hill Conference in Washington, D.C., where President and CEO Michelle Decker met with members of Congress and Senate officers from the IE, advocating for strong philanthropic infrastructure and stable federal funding.

The success of the annual IECF Policy and Philanthropy Summit, now in its fourth year, inspired OPE to launch the Inland Empire Legislator’s Roundtable in 2025. Thirty federal and state district directors representing the IE now meet quarterly to focus on strategic collaboration around housing, infrastructure, and workforce. The goal is to build continuity between philanthropic and public sectors.

Over the past year, OPE has elevated regional priorities, responded to urgent challenges, and positioned the Inland Empire as a hub for innovation and equitable investment. It advanced initiatives such as California Jobs First and helped to finalize the IE’s Jobs First roadmap. It also advocated for the Riverside

City Nonprofit Resilience Fund, managed by IECF, and recently established a similar fund for the County of San Bernardino.

The seven Vital Conditions for Health & Well-Being are always top of mind as OPE fosters partnerships with legislators, state agencies, and funders. IECF recently traveled to Austria to participate in the Vienna Social Housing Field Study, aligning with plans to position the Inland Empire as a priority region for affordable housing opportunities thus addressing the “Humane Housing” Vital Condition.

“Housing is one of several critical advocacy priorities we are advancing to support regional equity,” says Office of Policy and Engagement Manager Graciela Moran, noting that OPE works with partners, including the Inland SoCal Housing Collective, on strategy, capacity, and the creation of a regional housing plan.

Additional advocacy includes commissioning a Veteran’s Research Report to guide peer-assisted networks for returning veterans. OPE also released “Inland Empire Latino Experiences Accessing Basic Resources,” the first Latino quality-of-life report for the IE, equipping local, state, and philanthropic leaders with essential data to advance equity.

Monte Roulier, President and Co-Founder, Community Initiatives Network.

City Nonprofit Resilience Fund, managed by IECF, and recently established a similar fund for the County of San Bernardino.

The seven Vital Conditions for Health & Well-Being are always top of mind as OPE fosters partnerships with legislators, state agencies, and funders. IECF recently traveled to Austria to participate in the Vienna Social Housing Field Study, aligning with plans to position the Inland Empire as a priority region for affordable housing opportunities thus addressing the “Humane Housing” Vital Condition.

“Housing is one of several critical advocacy priorities we are advancing to support regional equity,” says Office of Policy and Engagement Manager Graciela Moran, noting that OPE works with partners, including the Inland SoCal Housing Collective, on strategy, capacity, and the creation of a regional housing plan.

Additional advocacy includes commissioning a Veteran’s Research Report to guide peer-assisted networks for returning veterans. OPE also released “Inland Empire Latino Experiences Accessing Basic Resources,” the first Latino quality-of-life report for the IE, equipping local, state, and philanthropic leaders with essential data to advance equity.

OPE has demonstrated an ability to rally amid political instability surrounding federal funding. When the White House Office of Management and Budget issued a temporary grant funding freeze in January of this year, IECF mobilized an emergency nonprofit call with more than 90 participants. It also convened a roundtable with U.S. Rep. Mark Takano at IECF to gather nonprofit testimony.

“I’m excited to see the IE harness its collective voice to advance an agenda that resonates with state lawmakers—and, ideally, eventually, with federal lawmakers as well,” says Jacob Mejia, Vice President of Public and External Affairs for Pechanga Development Corporation who sits on IECF’s Board of Directors and serves as Policy Committee Chair.

“The Office of Policy and Engagement engages state and federal policy makers so that the IE can start receiving its fair share of dollars,” Mejia says. “It boils down to looking at policy, building relationships, advocating when and where appropriate, and oftentimes advocating for communities whose voices have not always been heard.”

After shaping policy, scaling civic infrastructure, and expanding regional influence during the past year, OPE intends to keep building on this foundation to unlock opportunity, accelerate inclusive investment and elevate the voice of Inland communities in statewide and federal conversations.

Above center right: From left: Becky Payne, President and CEO, The Rippel Foundation; Cynthia Andrews, Innovation Initiatives Program Manager, North Sound Collaborative Action Network; Kevin Riley, NSACH Board, Lead Pastor of Presbyterian Church

Above right: Monte Roulier, President and Co-Founder, Community Initiatives Network; and Ulises Rodriguez, Associate Director, Arts Connection

OPE has demonstrated an ability to rally amid political instability surrounding federal funding. When the White House Office of Management and Budget issued a temporary grant funding freeze in January of this year, IECF mobilized an emergency nonprofit call with more than 90 participants. It also convened a roundtable with U.S. Rep. Mark Takano at IECF to gather nonprofit testimony.

“I’m excited to see the IE harness its collective voice to advance an agenda that resonates with state lawmakers—and, ideally, eventually, with federal lawmakers as well,” says Jacob Mejia, Vice President of Public and External Affairs for Pechanga Development Corporation who sits on IECF’s Board of Directors and serves as Policy Committee Chair.

“The Office of Policy and Engagement engages state and federal policy makers so that the IE can start receiving its fair share of dollars,” Mejia says. “It boils down to looking at policy, building relationships, advocating when and where appropriate, and oftentimes advocating for communities whose voices have not always been heard.”

After shaping policy, scaling civic infrastructure, and expanding regional influence during the past year, OPE intends to keep building on this foundation to unlock opportunity, accelerate inclusive investment and elevate the voice of Inland communities in statewide and federal conversations.