Donor Stories

Jack Fitzsimmons and Walter Gendell: Their donor advised fund allows them to steer support to meaningful causes
Jack Fitzsimmons and Walter Gendell have long championed causes and organizations they believe in but felt their efforts were a bit scattershot. When the Sonoma County couple retired from corporate...

Phil Savage IV: Championing IECF for its Time-tested Stewardship
Phil Savage IV has been named IECF's Professional Advisor Champion for 2023! Phil joins 39 other Professional Advisors who have received this distinction for their expertise in supporting the region...

Building an Equitable IE: Dr. Robert K. Ross is “all in” for the IE Black Equity Fund
This story originally appeared in our 2022-23 Annual Report. When it comes to building healthy communities, Robert K. Ross, M.D., understands the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion. As...

Graduation Day and They’re on Their Way! Scholarships Help Local Students Achieve Their Dreams
For more than 80 years, scholarships have been a vibrant part of IECF's mission to support equitable education. IECF’s founder, Charles E. Brouse, held a profound belief in the transformative power...

Phil and Karen Hudis: Hope and Healing Through Philanthropy
All philanthropy starts with a story. We're honored that our donors entrust IECF with their funds so lives can be changed for the better, and it's a distinct privilege to learn about the events that...

Gloria Macias Harrison: Leading by Example
For over 50 years, Gloria Macias Harrison has dedicated her life’s work to the betterment of her community through communication, activism and education. As co-founder of El Chicano newspaper and...

Jane Lykken Hoff: The Coachella Valley’s Legendary Trailblazer
Jane Lykken Hoff is one example of a true legacy. This Palm Springs pioneer, who celebrated her 103rd birthday in February 2023, is considered a bit of a legend. Jane is known as a gifted horsewoman...

Nefertiti Long and a Gift to Remember: The Laverne Jones Legacy Fund
As the daughter of a single mom, Nefertiti "Nef" Long grew up in humble circumstances. Her family moved frequently when she was a child. Although Nef faced adversity, she was fortunate to have...

Peggy Fouke Wortz: The Embodiment of Grace, Elegance and Generosity
Peggy Fouke Wortz was an extraordinary woman who transformed a life of privilege into a legacy of generosity. She gave of her wealth, her personal resources and her untiring spirit to those in our...

Victress Bower: A Teacher and Her Legacy
Born in Minnesota in 1874, Victress Bower was the youngest of four children. She began teaching in Minnesota and then moved to Escondido, California before coming to Riverside in 1908. She...

Satisfaction Through Service to Others: A Conversation with Rose Mayes
A Riverside icon shares how tough times taught her to give to others. In honor of January's Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and February's Black History Month, we're pleased to share the story of one of...

Phil and Lynda Savage – Philanthropists for Today and Tomorrow
Philanthropy can take many forms, including volunteerism, community service and charitable giving. These are just some of the outward-focused practices that enrich our communities and promote the...

George and Vici Nagel: Their Love of Community Includes a Plan for the Future
At IECF, we’re privileged to serve as the link between hardworking nonprofits and generous donors in our united efforts to create a vibrant region. We’d like to introduce you to George and Vici...

Remembering Aaron Norris
With heavy hearts, the Foundation mourns the recent passing of friend and community philanthropist, Aaron Michael Norris. Aaron was a beloved member of the community, an expert in real estate...

Dr. Judy White’s MOSAIC: Building Unity, Inspired by Humanity
IECF is proud to manage the MOSAIC fund, which was established to promote the education of multicultural enrichment; advocate for unity among races; provide a curriculum that teaches empathy; and...

Randall Lewis Invests $80K in IECF’s Here for Good Fund
Randall Lewis, renowned regional homebuilder, developer and longtime philanthropist, has made a generous gift of $80,000 to IECF’s Here for Good Fund in honor of the Foundation’s 80th Anniversary....

In Honor of Gracie: Giving Begins at Home
May is National Pet Month, and we’re privileged to share this story about a wonderful donor whose beloved pet, Gracie, inspired a philanthropic legacy of which we can all be proud. “If I can put...

A Conversation on the Arts: IECF Board Member Ann Sheffer Paints the Picture of a Vibrant Region
Our series of Conversations with Board Members continues in celebration of IECF’s 80th Anniversary and new Signature Funds, each of which will raise $80,000 in their inaugural year. Each of our...

Carol Newkirk and Beverly Rashidd: Champions for Women’s Rights and Racial and Social Justice
As part of Women’s History month, IECF is highlighting two of our donors, Carol Newkirk and Beverly Rashidd. Both women spent their careers championing women's rights and fostering opportunities for...

On Community, Legacy, and Saving the Salton Sea: A Conversation with Board Member Jeremy Hobbs
At IECF, our board members are instrumental in helping us achieve our mission of strengthening the Inland Empire through philanthropy. They’re our ambassadors, advocates, strategists, and...

The Margot Fund Opens to Support Women’s Programming and More in the Coachella Valley
IECF is proud to announce that three Coachella Valley nonprofit organizations received a total of $60,000 from the Margot Fund in its inaugural year of giving! Established in 2021, the Margot Fund...

$1M Scholarship Fund Honors Shield Packaging’s Past Employees by Supporting Education for Their Family Members
A $1M scholarship fund was recently opened at IECF to honor the legacy of George P. Bates, founder of Shield Packaging in California. George, his wife Nancy, and their partners established the...

Jay Allen is Turning 65 and You’re Invited to the Fun(d)!
Palm Springs philanthropist Jay Allen wanted to celebrate his 65th birthday by raising $65K for nonprofit organizations including the LGBTQ Center of the Desert. He opened the Jay Allen 65th...

A Donor Advised Fund and a Library: The Chris and Molly Carpenter Family Fund
“My late wife and I developed an interest in supporting the library many years ago,” said Chris Carpenter. “Molly found her calling as a first-grade teacher. She absolutely loved the thrill of...

A Son’s Tribute to His Mother: I CARE ALZ Fund
Bernard “BerniE” Edmonds is a prominent African American visual artist whose work includes sculpting the bust of Booker T. Washington, which is on permanent display at the Historic Mission Inn in...

Rosalie Silverglate – A Donor with Heart and Passion for Giving
Mrs. Rosalie Silverglate is a woman with a big heart and passion for her community. She has been a long time donor with Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF) since 1993. Rosalie was born and...