WELCOME

Nefertiti Long Board Chair, 2023-2024
Paulette Brown-Hinds, Ph.D. Board Chair, 2022-2023

The past year has been exceptional for IECF. We celebrated our 80th anniversary by establishing and growing field-of-interest funds through our Eight for the 80th campaign. Donors propelled us beyond our fundraising goal of $640,000, contributing in excess of $1,200,000. The campaign made an immediate and meaningful impact, providing grants to a diverse range of organizations whose programs help achieve the outcomes we seek. In the process, we learned that people want to give and appreciate the opportunities to do so through IECF.

The IECF team has accomplished so much by collaborating with the region’s vast tapestry of stakeholders to address key issues impacting our underserved communities.

It is truly special being a part of a board of directors that leads with integrity, empathy, and compassion. Our board members grow together by learning about the issues, setting priorities, and awarding grants through an equity lens. Driven by our passion for policy change and meeting the critical needs of our communities, the IECF board and staff are committed to leading in the expansion of educational and economic opportunities throughout our region

R. Michelle Decker President and CEO

The Inland Empire has been a busy place since life started to return to normal. People and organizations are determined to make a difference and make life better for the those who live, study, work, and play here. IECF has been in the thick of it, building a “culture of philanthropy” through partnerships, new funding, and the incubation of programs with significant re-granting to our nonprofit partners. We celebrate our progress in this annual report.

This pace of activity will continue. While the IE grows, our statistics tell a story of dramatic gaps in access in everything from basic needs to higher-wage jobs that would retain our young people. Our donors and nonprofits are asking tough questions about how we can build more housing, improve health outcomes, and better connect our students to good jobs. IECF welcomes these questions and the challenge to work smarter and focus on real system change.

Guided by a clear vision of equity — racial, gender, and economic — IECF will continue to push for change with your support and partnership. Thank you for the open and honest conversations that are guiding our vision of a better future.

I hope you enjoy the stories in this annual report and are inspired by what is possible when we work together!

Photo by Albert Angelo