IECF’s annual report is an important compilation of our work to date, and should, over time, give you, our fundholders, donors, and partners, a strong sense of forward momentum at the Foundation. Because that is our goal — moving the IE forward with you, harnessing all the passion and intelligence we can bring to creating solutions that will promote more fairness for all IE residents.

Creating solutions requires something that I hope you see expressed in this annual report — a sense of community. Where people know and trust each other, they can advance big ideas. That is why we have focused the last couple of years on the Vital Conditions Framework, which expresses that at the center of doing things like housing, education, and workforce — we need to build a sense of Belonging and Civic Muscle for all members of the community, no exceptions, to thrive.

I hope in this annual report you walk away seeing yourself in IECF. While we are a nonprofit organization, we must be a community, as diverse, messy, and interesting as any group of people who hold a shared purpose for a better world. Thank you for your partnership. Let’s keep moving forward!

JESSE MELGAR, MPP, BOARD CHAIR, 2024–2025
NEFERTITI LONG, MBA, BOARD CHAIR, 2023–2024

Showing up. It’s a simple gesture that can make a profound difference, especially in uncertain times. This is at the core of how we think about our work at IECF — listening with intention, giving with purpose, and building stronger, more connected communities.

We don’t do this alone.

The dedication of our donors, staff, and partners across nonprofit, business, academic, and government sectors makes our work possible. Together, we show up in bold, innovative, and impactful ways. Collaboration allows us to convene government and civic leaders to tackle our region’s biggest challenges by securing resources, leveraging data to drive solutions, and creating funds that reflect the dynamic experiences of our neighbors.

We are proud to separately chair two such funds — Women’s Giving and CIELO — part of a growing family of IECF Signature Funds, which also include the Veterans, Coachella Valley, Black Equity, Here for Good, Journalism, and Creative IE funds. This year, we’re excited to add the Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) Fund to this list.

With every fund, and every partnership, we are moving closer toward a region that is thriving and prospering. So, keep showing up — for each other and for our future — to build an even stronger foundation for our community.

Photo by Albert Angelo