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 Inland Empire through philanthropy. Here are two individuals who are leading the way for giving in the Inland Empire.
Judy Takano and Teresa Taylor are both educators with a big heart for IE students. They previously taught at Chaffey College, where they decided to start an institution to help students through vocational and certificate programs. Through their vision and hard work, they co-founded Career Institute, a for-profit organization that specializes in career, education, and life planning for young adults. 
With their vision of helping others, in 1999 and in 2016, Teresa and Judy opened two funds at IECF. The first fund was the Career Educational and Advancement Donor Advised Fund, created to provide scholarships to students attending the Success Institute in Rancho Cucamonga, a non-profit organization that the two women started in 2007.
The Institute provides programming that prepares young adults, ages 18- 24, in San Bernardino County for success in stable and rewarding careers. The second fund they established was The Education, Careers, and Life Planning Donor Advised Fund (DAF) to help pay for programs and services benefitting young adults in the region. Under the Foundation’s stewardship, more than $14,000 in scholarships were awarded in 2019.
No strangers to philanthropy, Judy and Teresa branched out recently to create their own family funds at IECF. Judy opened the Takano Family Fund because she finds “great joy in collaborating and dreaming with others to find a path of contentment” and desires to model philanthropy for her family to carry on. Teresa established the Taylor Family Foundation Fund, which supports transportation needs of refugees who arrive in the community with limited resources. Through the fund, they’ve donated 20 used cars to refugees and their families. Both women continue to be passionate supporters of education and have directed their giving in ways that help young adults in San Bernardino County pursue opportunities for learning and growth, leading to enriching and meaningful careers.
Learn more about how we can make your philanthropic goals a reality – contact our Charitable Giving Department today!
This story originally appeared in our 2018 Annual Report
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