Círculo Azteca’s Executive Director, Founder, and Cultural Bearer, Gabriela Yaocihuatl Armenta, said that the recent grant from Inland Empire Community Foundation through the CIELO Fund helped the organization kickstart its work for 2026 and beyond.

“Given that we are known as both a cultural center and a community space, we were able to focus on keeping the doors open for the community and other local community groups and organizations that maybe don’t have a space,” she said. “These groups can come and share our resources.”

Yaocihuatl Armenta Launched the organization more than 15 years ago. Its roots stem back to 1942 in Salamanca, Guanajuato, Mexico. For nearly 20 years now, the nonprofit has participated in ceremonies and cultural events that span the spectrum from museums, city-hosted events, and nonprofit outings to intertribal gatherings throughout region.

“We’re always looking for ways to partner and to uplift the community and other organizations,” Yaocihuatl Armenta added, noting that as a traditional ceremonial group and Indigenous culture center, the nonprofit strives to always preserve and promote Mexican heritage through a variety of ancestral ceremonial practices.

In that way, anybody who is eager to learn about the native customs of the Anahuac people, including traditions rooted in natural medicine, are welcome at the center.

“I share my Indigenous culture and traditions, and that’s very much a part of who I am,” Yaocihuatl Armenta stressed. “For me, it’s not a hobby. It’s a way of life. And on many levels, it’s about creating safe spaces for the community and for individuals who want to connect with their roots and cultural traditions. There’s a lot of resilience in the work that we do, and of course, we live in a time where we need a lot of that.

“We need a space where people can come together and learn and uplift each other,” she added.

Ceremonial “danzas,” Indigenous talking circles, and other practices, which have been passed down through generations, filter into the mix here. This allows participants an opportunity to explore their identity, perhaps bring balance into their daily routines, and create meaningful connections within community.

The gatherings have grown over the years, in fact. The community events have offered spaces for locals to participate and learn—everything from understanding a new language and pondering the deeper meaning of the cultural poetry and meaning within the songs to exploring the medicinal effects of everyday herbs.

Being part of a ceremonial circle also creates a rare opportunity to embrace a new structure, discipline, and responsibility.

Another standout within the organization, beyond its diverse mix of resources and events, is a scholarship fund.

“We open up our scholarship fund once a year and direct it towards high school seniors and undergrads,” Yaocihuatl Armenta said. “Anybody can apply that falls under those guidelines. They don’t have to be registered with any tribe or group. In that way, students can utilize it the best way that they want to.”

The scholarship is fueled from fundraising efforts, whether it’s through the organization’s small bookstore or even yard sales and basic donations. Two scholarships were distributed this year.

It may take a village, however, to effectively maintain culture and tradition. And that’s where volunteers and allies come in.

“We always welcome volunteers,” Yaocihuatl Armenta said. “And it’s not just the volunteers that can come in and help with all the heavy lifting. It’s very hands-on training. We always look for folks who are interested in leadership roles and facilitator roles, and anybody who’s interested in learning.”

Learn more at azteccirclecitlaltonac.org.

This story originally appeared in the Desert Sun, 2026.

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“Our focus as a Rotary Club is to strengthen education and workforce pathways for students in the Eastern Coachella Valley and the grant will be a great asset for that,” added Lorena Gomez, treasurer of the non-profit organization. “A lot of the students are first-generation graduates, and our goal is to try and fill some gaps. We want to offer support to young adults to further their education and then they can consider returning to the Valley and give back to the community.”

Gomez noted that The Rotary Club of Coachella East has long been active and dedicated to assisting underserved community members through a number of measures—from supporting youth development to improving neighborhoods in the East Coachella Valley.

Club members often collaborate with local businesses and educators to fund student scholarships, organize community cleanups, and host career programs.

“I’m originally from the Eastern Coachella Valley,” she said. “My father was a farm worker. I was a farm worker. So, this kind of hits home—raising funds to support and further education for first-time graduates, like myself and my sister, and just seeing parents and students not have to worry about where they’re going to get the money to either buy a computer for school or how to put gas in their car.”

Some of the organization’s key initiatives and activities include Youth Leadership and Development, which can involve sponsoring local high school students to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards and participate in high school mock interview programs that in turn establish some career readiness.

Community improvement is also part of the mix. Here, members help organize neighborhood yard and debris cleanups for elderly residents. Enhancing local public spaces falls into these efforts, too.

Educational support has become a significant measure. To that end, The Rotary Club provides financial assistance and scholarships for select students pursuing higher education.

Community alliances are vital, Gomez noted, touching on the importance of partnering with regional leaders, and other organizations like the Boys and Girls Club and local districts to launch service projects.

“We’re a volunteer-based organization—we belong to Rotary International,” she added. “It’s a global non-profit service organization, and it’s made up of a lot of local community clubs, whose members volunteer their time, their leadership, and their resources, to help improve communities, locally and around the world.

“We focus a lot on community service, leadership and scholarships, and supporting education and literacy,” she went on. “There are other rotaries that also fight hunger and poverty, disease prevention, and health initiatives. Basically, our motto is just ‘service above selves.’ Which means that we put others and the needs and the community first through volunteering, leadership and giving back.”

Looking ahead, this summer the nonprofit wants to partner with local businesses to try to end hunger.

“A lot of kids, when they don’t go to school, don’t have any or enough food,” Gomez said. “We want to partner with local nonprofits to help fill the gap, giving them resources to find regional food banks and distribution centers so that they have food, fresh vegetables and fruits.”

These are great strides, and yet another way The CIELO Fund helps make an impact to uplift and invest in Latino-led and Latino-serving organizations across Riverside and San Bernardino counties. To date, the fund has successfully raised more than $3 million to support the area’s Latino majority.

Learn more at coachellaeastrotary.com.

This story originally appeared in the Desert Sun, 2026.

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Domestic Violence and Abuse Protection Inc. (DVAP), a non-profit organization providing key solutions for victims and families of victims, and the elderly and those affected by child abuse, has used a recent grant from Inland Empire Community Foundation to expand its work.

“The grant was helpful right away,” said Jeffrey Lee, DVAP’s CEO. “The resources acted as a direct response to the DEI restrictions that the government placed. We were pretty limited because of that. The grant opened things up for us because we couldn’t get access to other grants that hire people, and we needed to get things done.”

To that end, the nonprofit was able to hire more people to strengthen its impact. But Lee remains a shrewd observer of the changing times and over the last year, was surprised about an alarming rise in domestic violence incidents.

“I have noticed a serious uptick, and a lot more gun violence,” he said. “Recently, we had a case where a man blew up his girlfriend’s car in Riverside. That brings in a lot of organizations, including the fire marshal and the police department.

“Overall, I’ve seen more killing, more deputies, and more police officers,” he added. “And certainly, statistically, with our organization, we’ve been getting more calls for home protection than we ever did before.”

DVAP works with victims of restraining order violations. It also teams up with other domestic violence advocacy groups, offering an alternative resource for safety for individuals whose protection has been violated.

In addition, DVAP also offers myriad services—from child abuse protection and child visitation overwatch to elder abuse protection, court accompaniment, process serving, and security consultation.

Lee said that DVAP partners with security contractors that provide professional physical security at no cost to victims of violence, abuse, and stalking. In this way, victims and families of victims can feel protected in their own homes.

Protection orders are enforced by DVAP’s trained yet uniformed professionals. These individuals can alert local law enforcement of violators and also provide physical security to prevent further further incidents, such as injury or death.

“There’s nothing else like us out there,” Lee said. “We’re the only organization that does what we do. And when someone gets a restraining order, that’s just a piece of paper and these offenders have learned that. It takes a while for police to get there. So, they’re not afraid. They can go do whatever harm they feel like doing, knowing they can get out of there before the police arrive.”

Many people on DVAP’s staff are combat veterans who have become licensed and permitted to do the work.

“I call them stress inoculated,” Lee said. “They do not rattle and they know what they’re doing. They’re very good at de-escalation.

“Instead of an offender showing up and suddenly that victim is open to whatever they want to do, those offenders will run into the guys we provided for protection,” he added. “We fill in that gap between a restraining order being issued and when the police can arrive.”

The genesis of the organization is personal to Lee. More than a decade ago, he was overseas when he was contacted by his daughter in the states.

“She had problems with her boyfriend at the time and I advised her to get a restraining order, and she said, ‘I have one, and he’s not afraid. He doesn’t care,’” Lee shared. “That’s when DVAP was literally born because I started working on it right away. It took us six years to develop and to get all the permitting, licensing, and insurance required to provide the service.

“It took a long time,” he added, “but it’s worth it because I get to do the mission that we set out to do.”

Learn more at dvapriverside.org.

This story originally appeared in the Press Enterprise, June 2026.

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The non-profit organization wants to empower and uplift underserved communities in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Thanks to a recent grant from Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF) through its CIELO Fund, PNC can increase and equalize access to high-quality childcare services for minority populations.  

“Considering the decrease in funding to nonprofits over the last year, this grant is a miracle, and we are more than grateful,” said Yvonne Choyce, CEO and founder of PNC. “This funding represents an opportunity to continue investing in our children, families, and our communities. The support has allowed us to grow participation in our programs over the last year, leading to a successful increase in the Latino providers and the business owners.” 

“That, in turn, strengthens their sustainability and ability to expand access to their much-needed childcare issues within their own communities,” she added. “And I think that’s an important impact, and it’s especially meaningful right now.”  

She references the great challenges Spanish-speaking families and providers have and continue to face in light of funding losses and other barriers in recent years. 

“This is a major investment in childcare, and it changes lives,” Choyce shared.  

For starters, it allows parents to work with children so they can thrive in communities and make those communities grow. Grants like those distributed through IECF continue to help address the childcare shortage in the region, but also help create greater access and opportunities for working families. 

“It’s a huge impact,” Choyce said, who founded the organization three years ago. 

It’s also interesting to note Choyce’s deep commitment to the region as she’s at the helm of another key nonprofit in the region, Little Seeds Matter, which strives to empower families with young children in under-resourced communities throughout Riverside and San Bernardino counties. 

When asked why this work—in a way, her personal mission to make a difference—is so important to her, Choyce was candid. 

“First of all, I did childcare in my home for more than 20 years,” she said. “And I got called back into this environment by the Women’s Business Center four years ago. They asked me to train providers based on the grant that they had, and these were startups. In the middle of that second cohort, I started hearing a lot and saw a lot of red flags. I began looking at these women who I was training—women who wanted to take care of children—but they themselves needed help.” 

She noted that many of the woman we’re coming out of the pandemic and great losses—from jobs and familial shifts to other home issues.  

“A lot of them were starting a business just because they needed to start over,” Choyce said. “I didn’t feel right training them to take care of Little Johnny in the state that they were in. I had this overwhelming feeling that I need to do more than just train them on how to get a license, and it just came to me that… ‘providers need care.’” 

She formed PNC shortly after that revelation and the nonprofit has been thriving ever since. To be sure, Choyce has also been working perhaps the hardest she ever has in her life. 

“I love it though, and our biggest push is self-care,” she said. “We do a lot of self-care training because of all the challenges. We hold an annual retreat every year for our providers so that they can stop and allow us to take care of them for the day. That’s really important to me.”
 

Fortunately, she’s been able to maintain the same facilitators for three years. In the beginning, she didn’t have much to pay them at all. 

“I just started recruiting the facilitators from within the industry,” Choyce said, “and in that first year, I was like, ‘there is not going to be any money’—I just need you to buy into this dream. And they did.” 

Moving forward, Choyce says the nonprofit will continue to enhance its comprehensive training, business counseling, resource sharing, compliance assistance, and personal care services.  

“We want to equip providers with all the right tools and knowledge they need for success,” she stressed. 

This story originally appeared in the Press Enterprise, June 2026.

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Recently, the community-based wellness and support organization received a grant from Inland Empire Community Foundation, which founder Fatima Baldelomar calls, “a blessing.”

“The grant will really help us continue what we have started several years ago,” Baldelomar said. “When I started the organization, I wanted to especially focus on emotional well-being and mental health, especially for immigrants who now find themselves in a new country. When I came to this country, it was a very challenging to navigate the system. It was a cultural shock. I was not able to find support. It was just me navigating every aspect.”

Once Baldelomar checked all the right boxes after arriving in the U.S., she felt called to help others, especially immigrants and families who might need assistance navigating the system.

To that end, the organization provided a variety of valued resources, such as an empowerment program and other support-type groups where people could feel nurtured and “in community.”

“Our mission is to provide safe space for others so they can feel supportive and validated and not judged,” she said.

One of the unique offerings the organization provides is healing circles for the community— women, families, and individuals.

“Last year, we had a lot of participants in the circles,” Baldelomar said. “People came to us because they were feeling overwhelmed and stressed about the situation with immigration, and the situation with I.C.E. And we were like, ‘how can we help?’ So, we became solution-focused. We said, ‘OK, we know there are problems, but let’s focus on the solutions, and let’s focus on ourselves.”

But something happened in those healing circles that Baldelomar didn’t expect.

“We noticed the ‘circle group’ was not enough,” she said. “Most of all the participants that came needed a follow-up; some kind of individual support.”

That sparked a decision to develop of a new program, which was launched last year and included yet another extra aspect that targets mental health.

“It’s been helpful,” Baldelomar said, “because if people, especially those in the Latino community, chose just to talk to someone, they can feel validated. It’s important to have somebody understand the culture who can talk to you in your own language.”

Individuals interested in more one-on-one support can meet with key members of the organization after a healing circle experience, then go on to experience four to five individual sessions that lean into a more holistic approach to addressing mental health.

This focus on healing, empowerment, and social support is threaded throughout the organization. Beyond these holistic services, the non-profit’s approach emphasizes cultural competency, education, and collaboration with the community and other organizations.

Leaning into the belief that there’s strength in “community power,” the nonprofit also organizes fundraisers, community-building events, and comprehensive workshops and training sessions for volunteers and partners.

Baldelomar said that recent grant will be funneled throughout the organization’s offerings, including linking individuals to key services such as food pantry distribution and other mental help resources.

Individuals interested in offering donations or volunteering, are welcome to visit the nonprofit’s website.

Learn more at loveandnurtureinitiative.org.

This story originally appeared in the Press Enterprise, May 2026.

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This June, IECF marked a bittersweet milestone as Celia Cudiamat announced her retirement after 21 remarkable years of service as our Chief Impact Officer. Under Celia’s dedicated guidance, IECF’s grantmaking grew from $2 million in 2004 to over $29 million, facilitating nearly a quarter of a billion dollars back into Riverside and San Bernardino counties. From launching the Youth Grantmakers Program to helping build critical signature funds and managing the Regional Fire and Forest Capacity Program, Celia perfected the science and art of community-driven philanthropy. She left an extraordinary legacy—one rooted in deep trust, equity, and a profound commitment to the people of the Inland Empire.

Stepping into a legacy that grand requires a leader with a unique combination of systems-level expertise, a passion for equity, and a proven track record of managing large-scale community resources. That’s why IECF is thrilled to welcome Abigail “Abby” Proff, MPH, as our new Chief Impact Officer.

Abby comes to the Foundation with more than 10 years of experience directing complex, multi-stakeholder funding portfolios. Most recently, she served as the Director of Funding, Procurement and Allocations at the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) , where she managed the strategic planning and stewardship of an $800M+ community investment portfolio. Her extensive background spans the intersection of public and philanthropic investments, including managing a $23M early childhood grant portfolio at First 5 LA and leading research and grant development teams that secured millions in federal and foundation awards.

Abby excels at taking complex funding streams and transforming them into accessible, equitable frameworks that directly support community-based organizations. This makes her uniquely suited for the exciting work ahead at IECF. As Chief Impact Officer, Abby will be responsible for leading our regional vision for impact, ensuring our grantmaking practices remain centered on equity, data, and community voice.

In her new role, Abby will oversee the full lifecycle of IECF’s diverse distribution portfolios, including scholarships for local students and grants funded by public sources and private foundations. She will help guide our strategic regional priorities, such as climate and environmental resilience and education equity initiatives.

“Over the coming months, I’m excited to connect Abigail to our community,” said Michelle Decker, President and CEO of IECF. “She brings experience in housing, homelessness, and public health, but the magic happens when she is connected to our fundholders and nonprofits. Celia excelled in keeping our nonprofit partners at the center of our grantmaking, and we will continue that tradition with Abigail. We are deeply grateful for Celia’s years of leadership and service, and for the lasting legacy she leaves, grounded in trust, equity, and a steadfast commitment to the people of the Inland Empire.”

As IECF enters its 85^th year, this change brings a moment of gratitude for where we’ve been and excitement for where we’re headed. By bridging public systems with philanthropic strategy, Abby is ready to help IECF navigate its next chapter of growth, ensuring our resources continue to build a more just, resilient, and thriving Inland Empire. She shared, “What excites me most about joining IECF is that it’s deeply rooted in the community it serves. I’m inspired by the strength of its partnerships and the range of its grantmaking across the region, and look forward to the opportunity to contribute to meaningful systems change. Leveraging my experience in both the nonprofit and government sectors, I hope to help connect community voice with the resources and solutions that can create lasting impact. On a personal level, I am also excited to be part of strengthening the future of the Inland Empire, a place where my son, my nieces, and my nephews—together with individuals and families across the region—can grow, thrive, and find opportunity in the communities they call home.”

Please join President and CEO Michelle Decker and the entire IECF team in giving Abby a warm Inland Empire welcome! We look forward to witnessing the impact she’ll bring to our region.

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A recent grant from Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF) through the Walt Whitman Endowment Fund will further help the youth as they consider broader education goals. The fund was established with IECF in 1994 to benefit activities that promote mutual tolerance and respect between the community at large and the gay and lesbian communities. 

Eric J. Ornelas, President of Safe Schools Desert Cities, said the grant will go into the nonprofit’s scholarship program, offering students unique financial opportunities. 

“The grant is a great benefit to us because it’s not just a one-time thing,” Ornelas said. “It arrives every year and helps us with planning. We can count on it, which helps our scholarship program.”  

The program stands out, in fact, for how well it provides a financial lifeline for LGBTQI+ youth in the region.  

“And it’s not just because of the financial help,” Ornelas added of the program. “It’s the affirmation of who they are, and that helps boost their confidence.”  

To be sure, the financial part of the program is appreciated, too. With college costs continually rising, financial aid lightens the burden. About 20 scholarships are offered here, including the Financial Assistance Award, which can be requested throughout the school year.  

There’s also the Burton/May Pride Award, which is administered by IECF from selections made by Safe Schools Desert Cities. The Pride award provides support for educational expenses for enrollment in an educational program following a student’s graduation from high school, vocational school, or training program, community college, or another university. 

“LGBTQI+ youth in our community have additional challenges that the general student body does not have,” Ornelas said. “We step in and offer these students support. One example is by supporting gay/straight alliance clubs that exist within the schools, offering them resources.” 

The nonprofit also produces events like Pride Prom, which unfolded on May 15. 

“We also have the Rainbow Youth Summit,” Ornelas added. “And a couple hundred students came to the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast [on May 14], which isn’t produced by Safe Schools, but we are one of the beneficiaries, and we arrange to have students from across the Valley attend that event, which is huge because there’s well over a thousand people there.” 

This includes the general public and a variety of Valley leaders—from elected leaders and business owners to non-profit peers.  

Ornelas has been with the organization for more than 10 years, initially coming on as a volunteer. 

“I actually started as a DJ,” he said, noting how the organization needed a DJ to work its first Pride Prom at the time. He joined the board in 2017 and became president in 2020. 

The non-profit’s website is extensive, offering a valuable list of resources and updates on events and other opportunities for youth. 

One of them is the 2026 Safe Schools Leadership & Empowerment Camp, which runs June 11-14 at a camp in the San Bernardino Mountains within hiking distance of Jenks Lake. The event is free, runs four nights, and offers a significant intention: it’s designed for high school students to strengthen leadership skills, boost confidence and resilience, and offer a community space in a supportive and inclusive environment. 

Activities can include everything from hiking, swimming, and archery to canoeing, a talent show, and daily campfires. 

“Events like that allow these students to recognise that they are not alone, that they have a community that is there to support them,” Ornelas said. “And that’s super important during this time when they get a lot of messages that are not particularly positive. In fact, those messages can be extremely negative. 

“We help communicate that and to remind youth that there’s nothing wrong with them,” he added, “and that they are perfectly worthy. We help encourage and support them so that they can become successful leaders in their own right.” 

Learn more at safeschoolsdc.org.

This story originally appeared in the Desert Sun, 2026.

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A recent grant from Inland Empire Community Foundation became a valued lifeline as the nonprofit hopes to further enhance the college journey of African American students. 

“We want to bring them closer when they go to college—not just to get to college, but to become competitive when they’re in college,” said Jalani Bakari, President and Chair of GLG. “And the best way to do that is to prepare them with opportunities to understand or navigate their route.” 

To that end, one of the activities the nonprofit recently hosted was the Academic Bowl, a popular event specifically designed to illuminate pathways to success in college and beyond. 

“All but one or two people were male [at the event],” Bakari said. “We were literally trying to teach these young men to learn how to navigate not only education in itself, but to navigate and to share information of history and community activities with each other. 

“These are young men who work in project impact, who will become teachers in our local schools, young men who are undergraduates in our local schools, and young men who are citizens, all between the ages of 18 and 32,” he added. “We we were able to use some of the grant funding to help our students, training them and working with them.” 

Collectively, GLG’s members and board are seasoned servant leaders. One of the nonprofit’s main goals is to improve admissions competitiveness for majors in engineering, science, medicine, mathematics, and business administration.  

Improving parents’ abilities to interact productively with various staff, representatives, and teachers within schools and districts attended by their own children​ is key. 

Advocacy and equity also factor into the mix. 

To that end, communicating and promoting African-American educational issues at the state, federal, and local levels of government becomes not only necessary but vital. This is yet another way the nonprofit can gain cooperation and commitment from public and private representatives to participate and support various programs implemented in the Inland Empire. 

Ensuring vibrant and equitable participation in the area’s educational activities at all levels is yet another part of the nonprofit’s reach. This helps eliminate equity gaps that emerge on different levels in the African-American student experience. 

“We value our deep exploration of knowledge,” Bakari said. “What I love most about being here is being able to actively share in our community—of growing it and planting the seeds of the future for our students 

“It’s just incredible,” he added. “I appreciate doing activities that help students initiate things and help them begin to share in their skills or activities, whatever they are.” 

Bakari directs individuals to the nonprofit’s website to peruse upcoming events and consider getting involved.  

For instance, the nonprofit works in collaboration with the Pi Rho Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., in various events such as food drives, clothes drives, and other service-related events benefitting the community. 

And mark your calendars: The Sigma ETA Chapter 50th Anniversary Celebration takes place April 11 at the Grand Taj Event Center.  Supporting the event helps GLG honor past contributions, highlight current impact, and inspire future programs in science for students others in underserved communities. 

Mid-year connections also await. GLG’s summer flagship program, the Fatherhood Initiative Camp Out (FICO), Fishing Fest, & Garrett Livingston Graham STEM Camp begins Friday, July 17, and runs through July 19 at Lake Hemet Campground. 

Learn more at glgscienceedu.org. 

This story originally appeared in the Desert Sun, 2026.

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It’s yet another milestone for the Foundation and the fund, whose financial support will buoy the efforts of 22 organizations across the region. The annual grants will further expand support for housing, education, civil rights, and well-being in Latino communities across the area. 

“This year’s grantmaking is focused on moving resources where they can make a real difference for the residents of the Inland Empire,” said Jesse Melgar, IECF Board Chair and CIELO Fund founder and chair. “Surpassing $1.7 million in total investments since the CIELO Fund launched in 2022 reflects an intentional strategy by our leadership committee to back organizations that are meeting urgent needs and building long-term power and opportunity in every corner of our region.” 

He added that the groups the fund supports are “doing the hard work daily to expand access to health care, education, legal support, and economic opportunity. This is critical work at a critical time.”  

Overall, this round, the CIELO Fund’s total investment in grantmaking, research, narrative‑change efforts, and scholarships has resulted in more than 120 grants to nonprofits in 

Riverside and San Bernardino counties have received more than 300 scholarship awards to local students since it launched.  

“This happened because donors of all kinds, big foundations and local families alike, believed in the vision our Board set,” said Michelle Decker, President & CEO of IECF. “Their combined support through IECF has strengthened Latino-led and Latino-serving organizations across the region, and the Fund shows how powerful it is when a community invests in its own future.” 

Behind the scenes, CIELO Fund commissioned several reports from leading California universities to better understand the challenges facing the region, including its Latino residents.  

The latest report, which was partnered with UCLA’s Latino Policy & Politics Institute, revealed the underlying realities behind the numbers: how Latino workers drive the region’s economy yet continue to face persistent structural barriers. 

Angel Rodriguez, co-founder of the CIELO Fund, says that many people in the leadership committee are either from the Inland Empire and/or have established their careers in the region.                                                                                                                       

“I grew up here, went to school here, and built my career here,” Rodriguez said. “I know what it feels like when someone opens a door for you. CIELO is our way of opening more doors for students, families, and organizations across the Inland Empire.” 

That is essential on this side of the mid-2020s, when everything from federal funding cuts and divisive politics continues to be key issues to confront and surf through. 

“People are doing their best, but the cost of housing, food, health care, and education keeps getting harder,” Rodriguez said. “These grants support the local organizations people turn to when they need help, hope, or a path forward.” 

The 2026 grantmaking also included media partnerships to elevate positive regional narratives through original and effective programming. The CIELO Fund will continue to support KVCR’s IE Latino Voices segment which it helped co-design and launch in 2023. 

Additionally, the fund will continue supporting an innovative partnership with the LA Times’ Latino vertical, DeLos, to maintain special coverage of the IE. 

The 2026 CIELO Fund grantees include a vast array of vital nonprofits in the area. From Codex Creation Committee, which empowers communities by fostering educational opportunities in art, culture, health, and wellness, to Corona Relief Organization, an intrepid charity serving underserved communities with essential resources, the fund’s impact stretches far and wide. 

Other grantees include: Ives Torres Foundation, The Microenterprise Collaborative of Inland Southern California, Coachella Valley Parents, Danza Azteca Citaltonac, Rotary Club of Coachella East, Highlanders Boxing Club, and Casa Blanca Home of Neighborly Service. (Check the CIELO Fund page for a full list of grantees.) 

“The Inland Empire is full of talent, heart, and ambition,” Rodriguez said. “CIELO helps put resources behind the people already doing the work to make this region stronger.” 

CIELO’s support also reaches students directly. In 2026, 33 students applied for a CIELO scholarship, and every one of them will receive $1,500 to help pursue their degree. This is the fourth year in a row CIELO has been able to support every student who applied. In recent years, CIELO has provided $300,000 in scholarships to more than 200 Inland Empire students. 

“CIELO is about investing in people who are already doing the work,” Rodriguez said. “That includes local organizations serving our communities every day and students who are working hard to build a better future for themselves, their families, and our region.”

Learn more about the CIELO Fund at iegives.org/cielofund

This story originally appeared in the Press Enterprise, June 2026.

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As the founder of IAMGIFTED Foundation, he’s helped steer the non-profit organization to great heights, primarily with its mission to help young people recognize their strengths, build confidence, and develop the needed skills to succeed in school, the community, and in life.

Mental health advocacy factors strongly in the mix at IAMGIFTED—the inspiration for the organization came from Mattison’s own battles with mental health. Thanks to a recent grant from Inland Empire Community Foundation, IAMGIFTED will enhance its emphasis on mental health awareness, ranging from suicide prevention to offering emotional tools for young people.

“We’re excited to have received the grant,” said Dr. Angela Brantley, Executive Director of IAMGIFTED Foundation, noting that the resources have helped with one of the nonprofit’s signature offerings, the Youth Empowerment Program. Specifically, funding a five-week Saturday program that the organization runs twice a year.

“The most recent one brought in 170 students, and the grant helped us enhance that program,” Brantley said. “Another thing we’re using the grant for is to host events and invite our guest students and their families to various outings.”

A recent jaunt allowed students to attend a sports event in a collaborative event dubbed “Awareness Night.” Brantley believes that inviting students and families to such experiences generates positive ripple effects in the community.

“It gives students an opportunity not only to participate in our on-campus learning, but to get out and have an experience outside of the school campus,” she said. “It helps them engage with the larger community and have experiences they may not have had, and all with the focus on mental health and engaging in some fun way.”

Brantley cites one example that found staff guiding students through various activities between the innings of a baseball game. A breathing exercise was introduced, followed by cues and reminders about the benefits of regulating one’s emotions through breathing techniques.

“We had kids compete with balloon breathing, where they win prizes,” Brantley said, noting one example. “It comes down to: how do you teach third, fourth, and fifth graders about mental health and awareness? How do you get them to understand healthy ways to regulate their emotions and all those things?”

“We try to make it fun and engaging and exciting,” she added.

To be sure, the organization has made an impact since its inception.

More than 4,200 people, including youth, families, and those involved in community programs, have been positively impacted by the organization’s work. More than $60,000 scholarships have been awarded.

The foundation’s Rush 2 Give program also stands out. The year-round community outreach initiative that provides essential resources through such things as back-to-school drives, holiday givebacks, and community events, has helped approximately 3,500 families.

Brantley, who has been with the organization since it launched, said the organization focuses on four key pillars: Youth Sports and Life Skills Development; Mental Health and Wellness; Education and Opportunity Access; and Family and Community Support.

The nonprofit team is solid, comprised of mentors, educators, and advocates deeply committed to children and families through education, resources, and community-building programs.

As the need for mental health support grows, the organization is expanding its focus to offer comprehensive Mental health resources, workshops, and subsidized services to, “ensure that no one walks this journey alone.”

“We’ve seen an uptick in mental health concerns over the last six to seven years,” Brantley said. “We’ve all had a common experience of trauma with the pandemic and that creates a significant impact for our youth and adults.”

The staff’s deep appreciation for connectedness shines through.

“We all love doing the work—for the community and for the kids, and seeing the smiles on their faces,” Brantley said. “But that we’re doing it as a family is special. My husband, my kids—Alex’s cousins—his aunties, his uncles, his parents, his brothers… we’re all on staff. We’re all the ones showing up on Saturday for the programs.

“We are very passionate about giving back to the community,” she added.

Learn more at iamgiftedfoundation.org

This story originally appeared in the Press Enterprise, May 2026.

Stay up to date on all the good work we’re doing through the power of philanthropy. Sign up for our eNewsletter, Philanthropy Matters, today.

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