Donor Stories
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 III – 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. “If I can put food on the table and take care...
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...
Giving and Investing with Peace of Mind: The Charitable Gift Annuity
Joyce Montgomery spent a full and rewarding career in nursing and healthcare management. When she retired, she knew she wanted to continue making a difference in the lives of young people,...
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...
Judy Takano and Teresa Taylor: Educators Turned Changemakers
With our ever-growing community of donors, IECF strives to make it possible for every contribution and every person driven by a passion for a cause or issue in their community to strengthen the...
David and Mary Hjorth: Family Donor Advised Funds
Dave and Mary Hjorth have always wanted to leave the world a little better than they found it by helping others. With a passion for supporting youth in their community, the Hjorths began making...
In Memory of Gerald ‘Bummy’ Burstein: A Legacy of Giving
Gerald “Bummy” Burstein was born deaf in 1926. In spite of a difficult start, Gerald pushed his way through school, eventually teaching at the Minnesota School for the Deaf for over 15 years. He...
Brouse Legacy Society Spotlight: Terry and Sharon Bridges
Terry and Sharon Bridges are committed philanthropists who are passionate about giving back to the Riverside community. “Giving back to our community both financially and of our time allows us to...
Commitment to Community: The Cuevas Family
The Cuevas family moved from the San Gabriel Valley to Inland Southern California 27 years ago and soon became committed community members. Looking for the most effective use of their philanthropy,...
Pride of Place: Leading by Example: Henry W. Coil
IECF was proud to recognize Henry W. Coil, Jr. as the honoree of the “Pride of Place: Leading by Example Award” on May 21, 2015. Our dear friend Henry has a long history of guiding IECF. Before our...
Designing the Future: Donor Bob Gurr
Bob Gurr never planned on becoming a legend. In fact, this man who became one of the original “Imagineers” for Walt Disney, who designed the Disneyland monorail, Autopia, flying saucers, animatronic...
