Photo of Prado Dam/Prado Basin with various Inland Empire communities upstream, and the snow capped peaks of the San Gabriel Mountains in the background. Prado Dam also sits near the confluence of three county lines adjoining – Riverside, San Bernardino and Orange.

IECF is proud to announce the establishment of the Arrowhead Environmental Stewardship Fund, a new donor-advised fund created through a partnership with Primo Brands to support local nonprofits working on water and land conservation across our region.

More than two-thirds of the Inland Empire’s water comes from outside our region. The California State Water Project, a 700-mile network of aqueducts that moves water from Northern California to the south, and the Colorado River, both under increasing pressure from drought and competing demands across seven states, supply most of what residents here depend on. The Santa Ana River Watershed is one of the IE’s only significant local water sources in a region that imports most of what it uses. Protecting it is of primary importance.

That’s the context behind the Arrowhead Environmental Stewardship Fund, established through a partnership with Primo Brands, maker of Arrowhead Mountain Spring Water. As noted in a March 2026 press release, The fund will provide grants to local nonprofits working to conserve, restore, and strengthen the Santa Ana River Watershed, which spans more than 2,800 square miles across San Bernardino, Riverside, and Orange counties. Priority areas include water scarcity, watershed resilience, habitat restoration, and wildfire fuel reduction.

The fund launches with $250,000 in initial funding, with the intention to invest $1 million over four years. Grants will be awarded through an advisory committee that includes IECF representatives, scientific experts, community stakeholders, and Primo Brands.

“At Primo Brands, stewardship of natural resources is fundamental to our mission,” said Charles Fogg, Chief Sustainability Officer at Primo Brands. “Our regionally sourced water is the proud origin of our brands and the lifeblood of the communities we serve. We are excited to provide financial backing to help empower local non-profit groups doing incredible work in the communities where we live, work and play.”

IECF Staff with Primo Brands Team Members, LtoR: Paula Myles, Brie Griset Smith, Tam Pham, Trey Mixon, Celia Cudiamat

IECF’s involvement is part of a broader initiative by Primo Brands that includes a parallel fund for the San Jacinto Watershed in the Houston region, managed by Greater Houston Community Foundation. Together, the two watersheds cover more than 8,000 square miles and serve more than 12 million residents.

“We are proud to work alongside Primo Brands as they launch this donor-advised fund dedicated to protecting the Santa Ana River Watershed,” said Brie Griset Smith, CSPG, Chief Development Officer at IECF. “Corporate partnerships like this one address the regional challenges our communities face, from water scarcity to wildfire resilience, in ways that grant funding alone rarely can. By directing their investment toward a thriving natural world, Primo Brands is putting local nonprofits in a stronger position to do the habitat restoration and watershed conservation work our region needs.”

“A thriving natural world is a vital condition for healthy, resilient communities, and that includes protecting the watersheds and forests the Inland Empire depends on,” added David Hernandez, Regional Forest and Fire Coordinator at IECF. “From wildfire recovery to water quality, this fund will support the local work that makes our region stronger. We’re glad to steward it alongside Primo Brands.”

Grant applications for the Arrowhead Environmental Stewardship Fund will be announced later this year. Nonprofits interested in applying can visit iegives.org/nonprofits/overview or email grant-info@iegives.org.

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The Brinker Family

As we celebrate Pat’s remarkable life, we invite you to leave a comment, a memory, a shared story below.

Pat Brinker was a devoted wife, mother, teacher, and volunteer who believed that education could change the course of a young person’s life. She once shared with us that, on paydays, as she was on her way home from teaching, she would stop at the bank and make a deposit into her daughters’ college fund. It was never a question of whether Shelly, Karen, and Kristen would go to college; it was just a question of when. Pat and her husband Chuck, also a teacher, knew not every student had that kind of head start. She never forgot that there were students with the potential to go far, but no clear path to get there.

Pat grew up in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, earned a degree in English from Gettysburg College, and then traveled to Japan and Germany, teaching overseas and building a life far from home.

She met Chuck in Germany, where he was a fellow teacher with the Department of Defense overseas program. They came back to the States, married in 1972, and settled in Riverside. Chuck taught math at Ramona High School for 28 years. Pat raised their three daughters, became an active PTA parent, then returned to teaching after earning a master’s in special education, closing out her career leading a high school teen mom program. As teachers, the Brinkers fully understood what education can do for a young person who needs a door opened.

When Chuck faced a 30-year battle with Parkinson’s, Pat shouldered the weight of his care. He passed away in April 2020, but the pandemic made a traditional memorial impossible at that time. A few years later, Pat clipped and saved an article in the Press Enterprise that mentioned IECF as a resource for people looking to establish scholarships and funds in the community. Then, about six months later, she picked up the phone and spoke with Claudia Preza, CSPG, IECF’s Charitable Giving Officer for Riverside. Pat chose to honor Chuck’s life by creating something permanent: a scholarship fund at IECF.

In our early conversations with Pat about the fund, she told us about Chuck’s deep connection to his students. “Way deep down, he had this great love for Ramona and for the kids who went there,” she said. “He saw the potential. There were really great students there, and a lot just were unable to attend college. A scholarship seemed like a very appropriate memorial.”

Pat had spent years on the college-bound and scholarship committees at the Assistance League of Riverside, reading student applications and thinking carefully about what a scholarship should actually do for a student. “When I look at my grandson and what it’s probably going to cost for him to go to college, $1,000 is really not very much,” she said. “For somebody who really needs it, it’s just not enough.”

Working with Claudia, Pat designed the Charles “Chuck” Brinker Scholarship Fund to award up to $10,000 annually to Ramona High School and Riverside Unified graduates pursuing degrees in mathematics or math-related fields, with the possibility of renewal throughout a student’s undergraduate years. She funded it through a qualified charitable distribution from her IRA, and she appreciated that IECF worked with her to design a fund that reflected exactly what she had in mind.

Gavin McGowan, the first Charles “Chuck” Brinker Scholarship recipient

In 2025, the fund made its first award. Gavin McGowan, a Ramona graduate, is now studying Civil Engineering at UC Berkeley with help from the Charles “Chuck” Brinker Memorial Scholarship.

It’s worth noting that Chuck was also a skilled carpenter outside the classroom. He built furniture, bookcases, and a playhouse for his own kids. In a very special turn of events, we learned that Gavin is a woodworker, too. He serves as the construction quality control officer for Timber Strong, a Cal woodworking competition team that just finished building a playhouse for an Oakland elementary school.

Gavin wrote to the Brinker family after receiving his award. He said, in part: “I am so proud of where I’m from and the people from my area who do great work like this… I will not let you or our city down.”

Claudia had the opportunity to read that letter to Pat over the phone, connecting her to the immediate impact of the gift.

Pat passed away on March 27, 2026, at the age of 86. She is survived by her daughters Shelly, Karen, and Kristen; sons-in-law Matt and Jon; and three grandchildren, Nicholas, Kaitlyn, and Owen. It is our great honor to steward the Charles “Chuck” Brinker Scholarship Fund, ensuring that both Chuck and Pat are remembered for their enduring impact and the pathways they’ve created for Inland Empire students.

“Pat was an inspirational IECF donor and she became a friend,” says Claudia. “I take great pride in having worked with her to shape this scholarship. She cared deeply about Ramona High School and its students. Pat thoughtfully recognized the unique value of a renewable scholarship. She understood this scholarship could give students the stability to focus on their education. Carrying her vision forward, alongside her daughters, is a responsibility we hold with great care and gratitude.”

To make a donation in Pat’s memory, visit this link, where you may also leave a note for the family. To learn how to establish a scholarship or legacy fund of your own, contact our Charitable Giving team at 951.241.7778 or giving@iegives.org.

We invite you to share your fond memories of Pat. To ensure this space remains a supportive environment, all reflections are reviewed by an IECF administrator before they appear. This brief pause helps us protect the integrity of our community and the privacy of the family.

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RUSD student, Christian, inaugural Tom Hunt Scholarship recipient, with counselor Steven Fuller II. Christian is pursuing a career as an EMT or Firefighter

That premise brought her to the Inland Empire Community Foundation, where Knea met with our Director of Donor Services, Paula Myles. Three endowed scholarship funds now carry forward the legacies of the educators and community members who helped shape Riverside students’ educational experiences. “I want to keep growing this list of funds so that finances are never a barrier to a student seeking their goals,” Hawley said.

Three Funds, Three Stories

The Glenn Allen King Endowed Scholarship Fund was established in 2023 to honor a beloved RUSD employee. King worked through every rank in the district as teacher, coach, principal and, ultimately, Assistant Superintendent over Human Resources. He tutored students and adults alike and promoted math as a path forward. When he passed, the community raised funds to ensure his legacy would continue. The scholarship in his name now supports RUSD graduates pursuing math-related fields. As an endowed fund, scholarships will be awarded in perpetuity, ensuring that Mr. King’s love for his students and passion for math will live on for generations to come.

The Tom Hunt Memorial Scholarship Fund honors a beloved Riverside local who served on the RUSD Board of Education until his death in June 2024. Hunt was a persistent advocate for career and technical education, the AVID program and the Dual Language Immersion program. He worked to connect students to local businesses through internships and job shadowing, and believed every student deserved the same starting point regardless of financial background. A fellow board member, Brent Lee, stepped forward after Hunt’s passing to help establish the fund, and the wider community followed. The endowed scholarship recognizes graduating seniors pursuing a trade-focused degree or vocational certification. Nine awards have already been made, with more planned for this spring – and for decades down the road.

The Athena of Riverside “Ignite Her Mind” Fund was established by the Athena of Riverside organization, which has long supported the award-winning Ignite Her Mind program, a hands-on STEM experience for 8th and 9th grade girls. The program brings students together to build robots, write code and hear from women who have built careers in science and technology. High school senior ambassadors guide younger students through the experience, a peer-to-peer model Hawley finds particularly effective. “Who do young girls listen to?” she said. “They look up to someone who’s a few years older.” This year, Athena established an endowed fund at IECF to ensure the program and its college scholarships have a permanent financial foundation.

A Champion at Every School

With a fourth fund, the Spirit of Poly High Class of ’74 Scholarship, nearly ready to endow, Hawley has a larger goal: a dedicated scholarship fund at every RUSD high school.

The Class of ’74 fund offers a model. It started when one Poly alumna came back for a reunion, was inspired by a tour at the school, and took up the charge to raise funds for Poly scholarships. Hawley is looking for that same enthusiastic person at every other high school in the district. “If I could find those champions out there who want to support their alma mater, that would be the best of every world,” she said.

If you are a Riverside-area high school graduate interested in helping establish a scholarship fund at your former high school, reach out to Knea at khawley@riversideunified.org.

Hawley also wants students to know that the search for scholarships does not have to feel like a long shot. Her goal is to aggregate every available opportunity, including those sponsored by other organizations, in one place on the RUSD Foundation website. This also offers reassurance to students and their families that the links they’re clicking on are safe and valid. 

Wendy, a Tom Hunt Scholarship awardee, is attending nursing school at Riverside City College (RCC)

“There’s no competition between those of us offering scholarships. I would love, more than anything, for organizations that have scholarships to let me know. I’ll post them on our website,” she said, “so that students can go one right after the other and really build toward their college future.” On that note, don’t miss IECF’s Common Application, where students fill out one form and can be matched with up to 30 available scholarships across the region. 

More Than Scholarships

While the endowments anchor the RUSD Foundation’s scholarship work, they are part of a broader effort. The Foundation’s Student Resilience program removes the everyday barriers that keep vulnerable students from staying in school: gas money, food and basic supplies. Students experiencing homelessness, those in foster care and others without consistent support are among those the program serves. The Foundation also funds a separate effort to cover costs families often don’t anticipate until they become a problem, things like a laptop or transportation to campus. “It’s the barriers, the unseen cost,” Hawley said. “We want to make sure students have what they need so they can keep going, not get discouraged.”

The Foundation supports the Civic Engagement program as well, where 400 to 500 students present year-long community projects at the Riverside Convention Center each spring. Community members attend, ask questions and award top projects with scholarships. Students gain direct experience presenting their ideas to adults, which Hawley considers one of the more practical outcomes of the program.

“IECF is grateful to Knea Hawley and the RUSD Foundation for entrusting us with the management of their scholarship funds,” said Paula Myles, Director of Donor Services. “Our organization was established 85 years ago as a scholarship fund, and today we award millions to students every year. It’s our great joy to continue this service in partnership with RUSD.”

To learn more about establishing a fund at IECF, contact our Charitable Giving Team at giving@iegives.org. 

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“We were inspired by our work with the San Diego Foundation’s down payment assistance program a few years ago,” says Rockette Ewell, Vice President, California Region Community Affairs Manager for U.S. Bank, when explaining her company’s decision to invest. “The Inland Empire DPA program brings together resources from both the public and private sectors to support access to homeownership for families who otherwise would not be able to make the dream of owning a home a reality.”

Ewell has spent most of her more than 30 years in banking in community affairs and corporate social responsibility. “At U.S. Bank, I’ve had the privilege of supporting our efforts to create stable jobs, better homes, and more vibrant communities,” she says.

Ewell is quick to recognize U.S. Bank’s long-term relationship with IECF and the fact that Humane Housing is a key element of the Vital Conditions Framework. “We know IECF shares our focus on supporting access to affordable housing and will collaborate with us to ensure that our contribution will have a meaningful impact in the region.”

Ewell applauds IECF’s partnership with NPHS to provide pre-purchase counseling to prospective home buyers as part of the down payment assistance program. “Engaging NPHS completes the circle of support for prospective home buyers,” she says, noting U.S. Bank’s long relationship with NPHS that includes philanthropic support, board service, and volunteer engagement by their bankers.

Additionally, U.S Bank will be the Housing Champion at this year’s IECF Policy and Philanthropy Summit. “While we’ll be one of the presenters, we’ll be surrounded by leaders speaking about topics that will help us keep U.S. Bank at the vanguard of critical issues affecting the Inland Empire and beyond,” Ewell says.

Learn more about how we can make your philanthropic goals a reality – contact our Charitable Giving Department today!

This story originally appeared in our 2024/2025 Annual Report.

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Beth and Ken Higbee

Beth Higbee wanted to do something to honor her parents, Mary Ellen and Thomas R. Brigante, Claremont-based psychologists who lived their lives to the fullest and inspired many others.

Learn more about how we can make your philanthropic goals a reality – contact our Charitable Giving Department today!

This story originally appeared in our 2024/2025 Annual Report.

Stay up-to-date on the good work IECF is doing through the power of philanthropy. Sign up for our monthly eNewsletter, Philanthropy Matters.

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Charles “Chuck” Brinker loved math, and he was the kind of teacher who made a lasting impression on his students. For over two decades, Chuck was dedicated to the enthusiastic instruction of his favorite subject at Ramona High School in Riverside. When he passed away from Parkinson’s disease in April 2020, pandemic restrictions made a memorial service impossible. The family wanted to design a fitting tribute to his memory and his commitment to education, which led them to conversations about establishing a scholarship fund at IECF.

Now, his passion for numbers will continue through the Charles “Chuck” Brinker Scholarship Fund established by his wife, Pat, at the Inland Empire Community Foundation.

For Chuck, teaching was more than a job; it was a calling. “He had this great love for Ramona and for the kids who went there,” says Pat, also a former teacher. “He saw the potential. There were really great students there, and a lot were just unable to attend college.”

A Family Rooted in Education

Chuck and Pat met while teaching children at the American military base in Mannheim, Germany. They were colleagues and friends before their relationship developed after returning to the United States.

The Brinkers raised three daughters—twins Shelly and Karen, and their younger sister Kristy—who looked to their dad for help with math classes. “If you asked a question, you got a lesson,” Shelly tells us with a laugh. That devotion to education bore fruit; Kristy became a special education teacher, Shelly works as a corporate attorney, and Karen is a patent attorney specializing in life sciences.

Chuck taught mathematics at Ramona High School until complications from Parkinson’s disease led to his early retirement in 1998. In addition, a strong work ethic propelled him to also teach night classes at Riverside Community College, run a tax preparation business, and launch the early adoption of computer education when personal computers were still uncommon.

More Than a Teacher

Chuck’s love for teaching and technology often blended in creative ways. His daughters remember a childhood birthday party where their dad brought home a computer—likely one of the Commodore 64s he used while teaching—and set it up so the kids could play the classic educational game Lemonade Stand. “All the kids were so excited because back then, hardly anyone had computers at home,” Kristy said. “It was a huge deal.”

“Everything was math,” Pat notes. “He started out in college thinking he might be an architect, but I think he just loved teaching math more.”

Chuck was also a skilled carpenter who built a playhouse, bookcases, and furniture for his family. “When we bought our home, the very first thing he did was build a shop,” Pat remembers. Kristy still has the train table he constructed for his grandchildren, one of the last pieces he made.

Carrying His Commitment Forward

“As a kid, I remember taking my dad’s math books and putting all my stuffed animals out on the grass. I would pretend I knew how to teach that math,” Kristy recalls. “That’s how even my parents knew that I was going to wind up being a teacher.”

Chuck was known for his dedication to students. Years after his retirement, former students would recognize the Brinker name and approach his daughters to share memories of their father. Though some found him strict, they appreciated that “he had high expectations and made them learn,” as Pat explains. Chuck would often stay late after school in order to offer tutoring; his hope was that students who needed help would seek him out for extra assistance. His expectation was that students would show their work in both homework and exams in order to demonstrate their understanding of the subject matter.

After Chuck’s passing, the idea of establishing a scholarship in his name seemed especially fitting.

“College was important in our house,” Karen explains. “It wasn’t if you went to college, it was when you went to college. And knowing that was how my dad felt, it’s a huge factor in this scholarship because he wanted other kids to have that option as well.”

Supporting Future Leaders

The Charles “Chuck” Brinker Scholarship Fund will award up to $10,000 annually to graduating Ramona High School or Riverside Unified School District students pursuing a degree and career in math or math-related fields. The Brinker family wanted the scholarship to make a meaningful impact, understanding from Pat’s experience on the scholarship committee at Assistance League of Riverside how expensive higher education has become.

The scholarship is structured to be renewable, supporting students throughout their undergraduate studies. The family will personally review applications, looking for students who have demonstrated perseverance, meaningful engagement in activities, and a passion for mathematics. Students are invited to apply for this and other scholarships through IECF’s Common Application Portal, which will match applicants with all scholarships for which they qualify.

Pat funded the scholarship using a qualified charitable distribution from her IRA. “If you don’t need the money, and it’s been sitting somewhere for many, many years, you’ll really never miss it,” she advises others considering similar gifts. “It’s a good way to donate.”

Establishing a scholarship at IECF with a contribution made through an IRA rollover is a tax savvy way to leverage your required minimum distribution. This is a unique way that you can partner with our community foundation, honor a loved one and avoid including your required minimum distribution as part of your AGI.

A Legacy That Lives On

Chuck battled Parkinson’s disease for 30 years before his death. His grandchildren still cherish the gifts he gave them during his later years in assisted living, particularly his granddaughter who maintains a special shelf in her room dedicated to “Pop-Pop.”

The IECF team extends our deepest gratitude to the Brinker family for choosing to honor Chuck’s legacy in a way that will transform young lives for generations. Their generosity ensures that his passion for education and mathematics will continue to provide opportunities and inspire students long into the future.

We were saddened to learn of Pat Brinker’s passing on March 27, 2026. IECF honors Pat’s life, legacy, and deep commitment to Riverside that left a lasting mark on the community she loved. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and celebrate the enduring impact of her generosity. 

***

If you’re considering establishing a scholarship fund, the IECF Charitable Giving team is here to help guide you through the process with care and understanding. Contact us at 951.241.7777 or email giving@iegives.org to learn how you can create a legacy that reflects your loved one’s values and passions.

Stay up to date on all the good we’re doing through the power of philanthropy. Subscribe to our monthly eNewsletter, Philanthropy Matters.

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Mojave Desert Land Trust, a previous S.L. Gimbel Advised Fund grantee

IECF is thrilled to announce a generous $16 million gift from the S.L. Gimbel Fund, a milestone investment that will support a diverse range of causes throughout the region, across the U.S., and internationally.

This significant funding will be directed toward organizations dedicated to advancing the arts, education, environmental sustainability, and human dignity issues. By addressing these critical areas, the gift will help enrich communities, expand opportunities, and foster meaningful change for countless individuals.

About the S.L. Gimbel Advised Fund

In 2010, the S.L. Gimbel Foundation opened a Donor Advised Fund (DAF), the S.L. Gimbel Advised Fund, with IECF in order to broadly disseminate financial resources to nonprofits in the Inland Empire, the U.S., and beyond. Since its inception, the fund has granted over $69 million to causes nationwide and international programs, supporting the food security, animal protection, arts, education, the environment, health and human dignity. The DAF honors the memory of S.L. Gimbel, an ultra-marathon runner, lover of the outdoors, and philanthropist who succumbed to ovarian cancer in 2006.

Local Impact

Since 2011, the S.L. Gimbel Advised Fund has awarded over $5.1 million to 100 nonprofits in the Inland Empire, with grants ranging from $6,000 to more than $500,000.

In partnership with IECF, the trustees will continue to seek out new organizations and learn about programs in the Inland Empire and beyond. We are committed to making 2025 a year filled with promise for communities in need.

“The generosity of the S.L. Gimbel Fund reflects a strong commitment to making a lasting impact,” said Celia Cudiamat, Chief Impact Officer at IECF. “It has been a privilege to collaborate with the Gimbel trustees, and we take great pride in continuing Susan’s legacy by supporting vulnerable populations and strengthening communities.”

Email our Charitable Giving Team or call 951-241-7777 to establish a fund supporting the causes you care about or donate to any one of over 400 funds.

Stay informed about all the good work we’re doing throughout the region. Sign up for our monthly eNewsletter, Philanthropy Matters.

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When Roz Taylor received a Brouse Scholarship in the mid-1970s, it was a crucial stepping stone toward the completion of her education and the launch of a successful career. Decades later she would pay it forward by creating her own scholarship fund – at the very foundation that helped her pursue her degree.

The Brouse Scholarship for $2000 was offered to women at Riverside Community College pursuing a degree in business.  With this financial support and a lot of tenacity, Roz became the first in her family of nine siblings and over 100 cousins to earn a college degree.

“I was working to support myself, and I don’t know what I would have done without the grants and scholarships I received,” Roz reflects. Coming from a family where neither parent had a high school diploma, the path to higher education wasn’t clearly marked. But her mother’s unwavering belief in education’s power pushed Roz forward.

It was at RCC where Roz’s life would change in unexpected ways. While taking a swim class, she caught the eye of Robert “Bob” Taylor, the pool’s lifeguard who would become her husband and partner in championing education. Like Roz, Robert understood education’s transformative power, and together they built a life centered on learning and giving back.

Perseverance: overcoming challenges together

Their journey was anything but easy. As a married student with a young child, Roz worked nights at a real estate school where she was allowed to bring her baby. Meanwhile, Robert attended law school in the evenings while working full-time during the day. Their schedules rarely overlapped, leaving little time together as they juggled multiple responsibilities.

Despite the challenges, they persevered, knowing education was their path to a better future. Roz transferred from RCC to UC Riverside, where she received a bachelor’s degree in Administrative Studies and went on to enjoy a successful 35-year career with the IRS.

Priorities: generosity and education

The Taylor Family

Robert Taylor became a highly respected attorney in Riverside, but his impact extended far beyond his legal practice. He served on school boards, including at St. Francis de Sales School, Notre Dame High School and the RCC Foundation, where he lived by his motto of “paying it forward.”

He was known for quietly helping others pursue their education, often writing checks for students’ entry fees, computers, or whatever they needed to succeed.  Roz remembers, “He could see when someone needed help, and he would just write them a check and say, ‘Use it for whatever you need.'”

Robert and Roz created a home where education was a priority. That commitment bore fruit in their own family – all four children pursued higher education and went on to successful careers in fields ranging from aerospace engineering and epidemiology to automobile design and global marketing.

Paying it forward: the legacy

After her beloved husband’s passing in 2020, Roz knew she wanted to honor Robert’s memory and continue his legacy of helping others access education. Roz was referred to IECF by a family friend, Jim Cuevas, who is himself a donor and formerly served on the Foundation’s board of directors. To her surprise, Roz discovered that IECF provided her the scholarship she received decades before. Charles Brouse, IECF’s founder, established the Riverside Distribution Committee in 1941 to provide scholarships for local students at Riverside City College. This early initiative laid the groundwork for what would become IECF, and Roz was a direct beneficiary of Brouse’s vision and generosity.

This serendipitous connection convinced her that establishing a scholarship fund in Robert’s memory was the right path forward.

Today, the Robert B. Taylor Foundation Scholarship helps students at RCC pursue their educational dreams, continuing the cycle of giving that helped launch Roz’s own education. Since 2021, a scholarship has been provided to assist a low-income, underrepresented, or first generation student at RCC. Robert’s mission to pay it forward continues to live on.

In both 2017 and 2018, Robert completed the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage – a 500 mile walk from France to Spain. In a touching tribute to their father’s remarkable journey, the Taylor children will be participating in the Camino walk next month, covering 200 miles in his honor.

Friends, colleagues and family members have contributed to the fund through cash and stock donations, ensuring the Taylor’s commitment to education and paying it forward will impact generations to come. Roz looks forward to family conversations with her children as they become more involved in supporting and directing the fund.

“We were given opportunities,” Roz reflects, “and now it’s our turn to give those opportunities to others.” Through the scholarship fund, the Taylors’ legacy of education, perseverance, and generosity continues, creating pathways for future students to achieve their dreams just as Roz and Robert did.

For those considering their own legacy, Roz offers encouragement. “Starting a fund might seem overwhelming at first,” she says, “but IECF makes it achievable. They work with you to create something meaningful, something that reflects your values.”

We’re grateful for Roz and our generous family of donors who empower IECF’s work to create a region where everyone can thrive. To learn how you can create a lasting impact and help open doors for the next generation through a fund at IECF, contact our Charitable Giving Team at giving@iegives.org.

Stay up to date on all the good we’re doing through the power of philanthropy. Subscribe to our monthly eNewsletter, Philanthropy Matters.

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After receiving an inheritance, Joyce began looking for ways to support her philanthropy.

In talking with her sister Paula Kennedy, who had been the Charitable Giving Officer for the Coachella Valley for IECF, she learned about the different charitable giving tools available to her. In 2019, she decided to establish the Joyce A. Montgomery Donor Advised Fund (DAF) at IECF. She also decided to create a Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA).

The CGA offered her a number of benefits. She would receive a fixed income for life, gain a charitable tax deduction for the gift, and create a legacy to support her favorite cause or nonprofit through IECF.  

Like many retirees, Joyce was concerned about outliving her retirement funds. She saw the CGA as a way to benefit the charities she cared about while also augmenting her retirement income. Joyce felt at ease knowing that her lifetime income payments are guaranteed by IECF; she gained peace of mind without having to worry about the fluctuation in the stock market.

We caught up with Joyce recently and learned that she’s very pleased with her decision to create a CGA. She chose to receive monthly payments, which have arrived as scheduled. “It’s been a very transparent relationship,” she says. “I receive a timely direct deposit, an annual report, and there’s no involvement necessary from me.”

Most importantly, she knows that when she passes, the remainder of her CGA will be directed to IECF to support her DAF and the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine & Science, whose mission is to educate diverse health professionals dedicated to social justice and health equity for underserved populations. Joyce’s philanthropic goal is realized every time she attends a graduation ceremony at the university. She says she looks around the room and knows, “I’ve been a part of something important.”

Joyce tells us, “The CGA meets all of my needs. Yes, I receive the tax deduction and regular payments, but beyond all that, I’m able to use my money to help a cause that’s dear to my heart. It’s very rewarding. All of my expectations are being fulfilled, and honestly, the benefit has been mine more than anyone else’s.”

Is a CGA right for you? Let’s review the benefits:

• Fixed payments for life at favorable rates for you, your spouse or partner
• A charitable income tax deduction which may lower your income or capital gains taxes
• Income received may be partially tax-free
• Capital gains tax benefits if you transfer stocks, bonds or other appreciated assets

Establishing a CGA is easy. You can fund it with cash, appreciated assets such as stocks, bonds or real estate. You can also exchange low-performing stocks or CDs to fund a CGA.

Our Charitable Giving Team is happy to provide you with an illustration showing the benefits of a CGA. For more information on this or other charitable giving tools, please contact us at giving@iegives.org.

The post Giving and Investing with Peace of Mind: The Charitable Gift Annuity appeared first on IECF.

Through church and the ICF, the Buchners connected with a youth group called “Los Amigos.” Impressed with the youth, Jim began to wonder if there might be a way he could help make a difference in their lives.

“Jim would often sit with them, and they would talk about their future, school, work, and finances,” said Dora.  “They always left Jim thinking about their future and the needs of Cathedral City High School students.”

Dora knows firsthand what a difference having the opportunity to get an education can make in a young person’s life.  So, the Buchners decided that establishing a scholarship program specifically for Cathedral High School students would be the best way to make this happen.

“When I was a little girl, we were migrant workers,” said Dora.  “At night my father would drill us on the multiplication tables in Spanish. My dad always said that you have to learn English and he always motivated us.”

Later, the family bought a farm and settled in San Diego, allowing Dora to pursue a college education. She graduated from Whittier College, the first in her family to get a degree. She went on to earn a Masters Degree in Education and spent 50 years in the field of education, both teaching and administration.

Creating a Scholarship Fund and a Legacy

When Jim passed away, Dora connected with IECF to make the scholarship fund they had envisioned a reality. Dora also became a member of the Brouse Legacy Society, ensuring that the scholarships will continue to serve youth.

“Jim was a very giving person, and much of our lives have been engaged in giving,” said Dora. “When we were young, it was about giving time. And we ultimately decided that this was what we wanted to do with the money that we had.”

Dora said that working with IECF  has made managing a scholarship fund possible for her.

“IECF runs everything for us, and we sit down and go through the applicants. They set up the interviews for us. I can’t say enough about that because it takes a big load off your mind,” she said.

Dora also says that connecting with the students who are awarded the scholarships and their parents is very meaningful to her. She sees some of them at her church and says they take the time to give her a hug and talk to her.

“The scholarship may not be that big, but they feel good about themselves,” she said. “I tell them that it’s only one scholarship and only one year, but there is a lot of money out there waiting for them if they keep looking and applying.”

A Catalyst for Achieving Dreams

Dora feels that the scholarships can be a catalyst that encourages these youth to take the leap to pursue higher education. The connection and responsibility they feel toward their families can make leaving to go to school difficult. Being awarded a scholarship can be motivating and help them believe that they can complete a degree and ultimately help their families more than they would without one.

“I hope it improves the quality of life for the students and that they come back into our community and serve the people here,” said Dora. “That’s what I’m hoping for. It’s their choice, but we are helping to give them more options.”

In 2013, Dora moved to the desert permanently, where she can continue to connect with the youth her scholarships support and encourage. She also invests her time volunteering at her church as a lector and facilitating a bereavement group. She said that becoming a permanent part of the community was a wonderful decision.

“I have a great circle of friends, terrific neighbors, and beautiful sunrises and sunsets,” said Dora. “At over 80 years old,it is still a wonderful world and with God’s blessings I am part of it. The Good Lord has given me many blessings and it is my responsibility to give back.”

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The post From Migrant Roots to Educational Impact: Dora Buchner honors her husband’s memory by supporting the next generation appeared first on IECF.