CIELO Fund committee members at 2025 celebration event

The Cultivating Inland Empire Latino Opportunity (CIELO) Fund has launched a region-strengthening collaboration made possible with generous support from The James Irvine Foundation and the Latino Community Foundation (LCF).

The James Irvine Foundation, an early and longtime champion and funder of the CIELO Fund, is investing $150k as part of this partnership. The Latino Community Foundation, a deeply rooted partner in the region, is adding $20k to the CIELO Fund’s work, which the CIELO Fund will match, bringing the total nonpartisan civic engagement investment this summer to nearly $200k. The grantmaking aims to build civic power and generate greater impact across Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

This impact and further advancing locally driven, nonpartisan civic engagement initiatives across the region is important, say the funds’ leaders. The result will directly support nonprofit organizations working to increase nonpartisan civic participation, civic information, strengthen community leadership, and ensure Inland Empire residents have a greater, perhaps louder, voice in shaping the important decisions that affect their communities.

“The Inland Empire is home to one of the largest and fastest-growing Latino populations in California, yet too often our communities remain underrepresented in civic life and public decision-making,” said Jesse Melgar, Board Chair of IECF and founder of the CIELO Fund.

“This partnership with The James Irvine Foundation and the Latino Community Foundation is an investment in local leadership and lasting civic infrastructure,” he added. “Together, we’re helping ensure that Inland Empire residents not only have a seat at the table, but the opportunity to help decide the future of our region.”

“The Inland Empire is one of the fastest growing and most diverse regions in California, and its residents deserve access to clear, nonpartisan information,” said Don Howard, President and CEO of The James Irvine Foundation. “We’re proud to partner with the Latino Community Foundation and the CIELO Fund to put resources directly into the hands of community organizations, both new and established, that know how to reach people where they are. When residents have good, trustworthy information, they have more power to shape the future of their own communities.”

LCF CEO Julián Castro added that when Latinos can fully participate in democracy, the outcome is “a stronger future for everyone.”

“As a funder in the region since 2020, we’re proud today to deepen our investment in the Inland Empire, building the next generation of leaders, organizers, and changemakers,” he said. “This partnership with the CIELO Fund and the Inland Empire Community Foundation will help build a future where civic power is in the hands of the people.”

The unique partnership illuminates a shared commitment to strengthening civic health and invest in the long-term leadership of Latino communities in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. To that end, funding will help support nonpartisan voter information guides on KVCR’s website, a community forum focused on the education around the ballot measures, community outreach, nonpartisan civic education, leadership development, and capacity-building efforts that enable local organizations to engage residents year-round.

“We’re grateful to Irvine and LCF for their investments,” said Michelle Decker, President and CEO of the IECF. “The organizations leading this work understand their communities, have earned trust, and know how to connect residents to the issues that matter most to them. This funding will help strengthen civic participation across the Inland Empire and support local leadership that reflects the people and communities it serves.”

The efforts mark yet another milestone for the CIELO Fund. Since its launch in 2022, the fund has supported more than 150 local nonprofits. By employing strategic grantmaking, research, scholarships, and narrative change initiatives, the CIELO Fund has invested more than $2.5 million directly into Riverside and San Bernardino county-based organizations with a goal of helping make the region thrive.

Irvine has continued to focus on the region through its Priority Communities initiative, making millions of investments in the region for years.

Meanwhile, LCF has grown into one of the nation’s leading Latino philanthropies, continuously investing in organizations that build civic and economic power in California and beyond. The partnership represents a shared vision—that lasting change begins with strong local leadership and sustained community investment.

Coming up: the CIELO Fund invites supporters to attend its annual brunch in celebration of scholars and grantees. The 2026 event will be held on Saturday, October 3 at the RCOE Conference Center, 4280 Brockton Drive in Riverside. Tickets are $50 per person. Learn more and RSVP at iegives.org/cielofund.

Inland Empire Community Foundation works to strengthen Inland Southern California through philanthropy. Now celebrating its 85^th Anniversary, the Foundation serves both Riverside and San Bernardino counties with a mission to create a region where everyone thrives – no exceptions. Visit iegives.org or email giving@iegives.org for more information on how you can create a fund to support the causes you care about.

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This year, the CIELO Fund awarded more than $500,000 to 22 organizations across Riverside and San Bernardino counties. At our annual celebration, we’ll recognize those grantees alongside CIELO Fund scholarship recipients and the community of supporters who continue to grow this work across the region.

Come spend the afternoon with us, meet this year’s honorees, and celebrate what we’ve accomplished and what’s ahead for the CIELO Fund and our Latino community!

📅 Saturday, October 3, 2026
⏰ 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
📍 RCOE Conference Center, Riverside | 4280 Brockton Ave, Riverside, CA 92501
🎟️$50.00 per person
RSVP Today
Sponsorships Welcome!

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Grant recipient The Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs is using resources distributed by IECF to fuel its extensive summer programming.

“The timing of the grant was so perfect,” said Margaret Keung, CEO and executive director of the organization. “Summer is very busy for us, and every penny is helpful.”

The grant immediately supports the organization’s Triple Play Initiative, thereby fueling its extensive summer camp program.

“Summer is one of the most extensive times of the year for us, because young people attend the club full-time when school was out,” Keung said. “But our summer classes increase costs—everything from gas, utilities, program supplies, and transportation for things like field trips. You name it. It triples.”

She added the grant also helps the organization strengthen its programming and make it possible to support the kids it serves—kids who typically spend more time at the club in summer.

“The resources even help us deal with meal insecurity,” Keung said, “because even though schools are closed, children still need to eat, and we feed them. This place also acts a cooling center. Many of these kids might stay home during the summer, when it’s hot, but at home, the AC might not always work.”

Keung also noted that during summer, the organization serves up to 300 or more young people.

Between the summer programs, and childrens, teen, and health and wellness centers, the organization’s reach and impact continue to stretch far and wide. Other programs stand out, too, of course, such as the Arts Programs, which helps foster creativity in young people, providing unique outlets for self-expression.

Other core programs include the Keystone Club for ages 14 to 18 and the Torch Club (ages 11 to13). The leadership development activities offered here are cornerstones to broader personal developments.

Collectively, these programs enhance and stoke leadership abilities, and help build strong character and integrity for youth.

In terms of funding, Keung cited the importance of grants and other fundraising efforts that take place throughout the year.

“We are fully self-funded,” she said. “We do not rely on a single source of government funding or our national headquarters to keep our doors open. We’re community invested.”

So is the BCVF.

Launched in 2023, the fund supports what is considered to be the critically urgent social, environmental, and economic resilience of the Coachella Valley. Timely in that progress is needed on many fronts in the region, the hope is that lasting change will arrive from wisely investing collectively in effective, mission-driven organizations that uplift wellbeing and also build prosperity for all residents.

To be sure, The Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs also strives to serve the region the best way it can. It began as the Boys Club of Palm Springs, guiding and providing mentorship for boys in the Palm Springs Area. History buffs may appreciate the fact that beloved Palm Springs resident and entertainer Desi Arnaz once held a fundraising party at the Indian Wells Western Hills Hotel where the likes of Lucille Ball, Dean Martin and Walter Winchell cavorted among one another.

The funds raised at the event helped build the organization’s clubhouse, which is now known as the Children’s Center. It still serves as the main clubhouse today.

Keung’s love of the organization shines through. Every day, she says, offers something new to appreciate—and observe. Like the lingering aftereffects of the pandemic.

“COVID certainly changed things for all of us, but I can see it in the kids needing more help, and I don’t think the parents always know how to help them,” she said. “That’s why here at the club, we’re putting money aside to help with training for employees, which we’re very selective about—from lifeguards to staff—because mentorship comes into play for these kids.

“A lot of times these kids don’t talk to their parents,” she added, “but they will talk to the mentors here. Sometimes, they can connect with me better.”

Looking ahead, the calendar is full. Save the date: On Oct. 25, the club is hosting a bash dubbed “Be a Hero for Kids.” The Halloween-themed event will celebrate the nonprofit’s 2026 honorees. It takes place from 4:30-7 p.m. at the Hilton Palm Springs. All proceeds will benefit the club’s youth.

Donations and volunteer opportunities abound. Keung encourages people to visit the organization’s website.

Learn more at bgcps.org.

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

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The academy, which recently received a grant via the CIELO Fund at Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF), has long been preserving mariachi heritage in the region through education, cultural pride, and community connections. Inspiring children to develop a set of musical skills and preserving a valued tradition for future generations also comes into play.

The IECF grant will further help HERENCIA with those efforts as it continues helping local children find a safe haven while also gaining deeper understandings and appreciation for mariachi music.

“We are always grateful when community partners can support us because it continues to help us keep our doors open to provide mariachi music lessons and inspiration at a very low cost,” said Teresa Serrano, HERENCIA co-founder and executive board member. “When you break it down into the amount of time that we give our kids, I think that every student here represents one less child that’s out there doing things that they shouldn’t be doing.”

“The impact is great,” she added, “and we’re happy to be able to continue providing services to these youth in so many ways.”

The nonprofit’s main mission is to offer a well-rounded education that helps children learn lifelong skills and reassure their value in local communities. By offering a diverse music programs, youth can be steered to a more promising future.

In addition to a series of level-based classes, students can get instruction on the traditional mariachi instruments, depending on enrollment and placement. These include everything from trumpet, violin, and guitar to guitarrón, vihuela, and voice.

Founded a decade ago by Eddie Nuñez and Serrano, Nuñez took on the role of president of the academy. Mariachi Legend Rafael Palomar is the intrepid musical director/maestro.

“When our children were younger, Eddie and I said, ‘Hey, we’re driving all the way to Orange County for lessons. Why don’t we start looking into possibly opening the doors here,’” Serrano said of those early days, noting that overall, the experiences children receive goes “beyond music.”

“It’s the sense that we’re impacting the ability for children to connect and discover themselves,” she said. “There’s a lot that revolves around academic impact, social skills, confident development, and self-confidence.

“Then there’s the music, which does something to you more than many folks can imagine,” she added. “And with the way technology has been, we’re losing that element of social skills. So, just seeing youth interact amongst themselves and really empower each other here is priceless.”

Mark the calendars: Sept. 12 is HERENCIA’s “Summer Concert at Dos Lagos” in Corona. Dubbed a night of “music, pride, and heritage,” it’s an opportunity to see how students have advanced and appreciate their talents.

“Every ticket that is sold to the summer concert means that people support the academy,” Serrano said. “Which helps us continue providing these services and keeping our doors open.”

Overall, Serrano feels a sense of pride and accomplishment having been with the organization since its inception. There have been challenges (learning how to fundraise) and victories (watching her own children thrive in the program and seeing the nonprofit take off).

Mostly, she’s thrilled to have witnessed many of the youth “bloom.”

“So many students grew into their confidence,” she said. “And it’s not an easy thing to go on stage so young and perform and sing. And even now… I was watching some of them being interviewed by Telemundo at an event in Sacramento. Just listening to them, and how they vocalized themselves and talked in front of the camera, is remarkable. We’re really watching them shine.”

Learn more at herenciamariachiacademy.com.

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

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The intrepid non-profit organization helps people connect with pets as much as it assists animals needing care from public, government, and private facilities. Through the years, the organization has greatly supported efforts to prevent the euthanasia of adoptable and treatable dogs and cats.

They even reunite lost pets and provide owner retention services.

“We’re expanding all of our programs right now, so the IECF grant has been a great asset,” said Michael Phipps-Russell, executive director of Loving All Animals. “Our animal sheltering program has expanded tremendously, so the funds we received will be applied towards the operational funds for our shelter at this time.”

Programs have expanded in anticipation of having a greater volume of animals to care for as the months unfold.

“We have more animals now, particularly more cats that we didn’t used to have,” Phipps-Russell shared, noting both the importance of sheltering services and veterinary care access.

These additional services will help accommodate “little, tiny bottle-baby kittens,” Phipps-Russell said, adding that, “the largest number of animals serviced, instead of being euthanized, are those animals under 120 days old.

“Those are the animals that are most at-risk of euthanasia in our county facility,” he added. “They need to have instant access to a veterinarian. And now that we have that for them, we can take on those cases and prevent them from going to the county. Then we could help them develop and get them ready for adoption.”

A greater focus on puppies and other animals has emerged recently.

“Sometimes you have to hold these animals for a longer period of time,” Phipps-Russell said. “Because they may be too young to be standard neutered or too young to get certain kinds of care. But they are not so young that they can’t contact certain diseases, like parasites or some sort of upper respiratory or skin problem.

“Holding animals longer than we used to is important because they need a little more care as they develop,” he added. “And if they’re here longer, we need funding to help keep them become adoptable.”

Veterinary care is key, of course.

One of the biggest developments recently has been the announcement of the nonprofit’s new veterinary clinic, which is opening in the Fall 2026. The organization will relocate the organization’s existing clinic from Cathedral City to 46920 Jefferson Street in Indio.

It comes off a miraculous donation from philanthropist Lindi Biggi’s multi-million-dollar investment in a 12,000-square-foot veterinary clinic. The result, and unique collaboration with Loving All Animals will make spay and neuter services more affordable and accessible for pet owners throughout the Valley.

The clinic will also provide low-cost vaccines and microchips, thereby assisting local families to better care for their pets before smaller problems become bigger ones.

“The great thing is that we can do high volume, spray and neutering services,” Phipps-Russell said. “From the practical perspective, having space is important. So, let’s say, you want to do 30, 40 animals in a day. You need to place them somewhere, and then you need to be able to provide them your services, vaccinations, and other things. Then you need to have a place for them to recover.

To that end, square footage and real estate is vital.

“So, being able to set up [the new clinic] to be a high-volume speed leader clinic, and make it work, is incredible,” Phipps-Russell said. “Because right now, we rely a lot on mobile vehicles in the Valley.”

In addition to the new clinic, Phipps-Russell encourages locals to explore the organization’s impressive list of programs and education services, which range from agility training and behavioral training to an extensive list of resource, which can be valuable when taking care of a pet.

Those resources include unique ties to other standout organizations like Animal Samaritans, Animal Action League and Palm Springs Animal Shelter.

Not to be overlooked: adoption. Head to the nonprofit’s website and click on the “Adopt” vertical to see a list of all animals that are ready for adoption.

Learn more at lovingallanimals.org.

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

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July 2026 IE Legislative Roundtable

Thank you as well to Dean Laura Alvarado of Barstow Community College for sharing how statewide workforce strategies are being translated into

Secretary Knox and Michelle Decker, IECF’s President & CEO

action in the High Desert. With BNSF’s transformational investment expected to generate a $4 billion economic impact and approximately 75,000 jobs, including 13,000 permanent positions once supporting infrastructure is complete, the opportunities ahead for Barstow are remarkable. For a community that has added only about 900 residents and seen no new development over the past two decades, this represents a generational opportunity.

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IECF staff, the Fund Committee, and guests tour CRIISC’s Out in the IE exhibit July 2026

The region’s LGBTQ+ community has found another ally with IECF’s  Out in the IE LGBTQ+ Empowerment Fund.

Founding Chairperson Scott Discount and the leadership committee are determined to make an impact with the fund, which is designed to advance equity, dignity, and opportunity for LGBTQ+ individuals and communities across the Inland Empire, including the Coachella Valley.

The fund’s founding leadership committee includes Discount, IECF Board Chair Jesse Melgar, IECF Board Member Jack Fitzsimmons, Walter Gendell, Sabrina Gonzalez, Angel Rodriguez, Ariel Savage, and Gabriel Maldonado.

Jack Fitzsimmons said the IECF board members leaned into a challenge from IECF leaders to “put their money where the mission was,” which became instrumental in establishing the fund.

“IECF’s ten Signature Funds are permanent charitable funds created to strengthen the communities that make up the Inland Empire,” Fitzsimmons said. “Each one grew from conversations with local residents, donors, and community leaders about where long-term philanthropic investment can make the greatest difference. The Out in the IE LGBTQ+ Empowerment Fund gives donors an opportunity to invest in the sustained success, resilience, and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals and organizations throughout the Inland Empire.”

(L-R) Scott Discount, Fund chair; Michael Hinkle, IECF Charitable Giving Officer/CV; Jack Fitzsimmons; Fund committee member

The new fund uses a collective-impact approach to fundraising and grantmaking, bringing together community leaders, donors, and nonprofit partners to address critical LGBTQ+ issues and strengthen the region’s nonprofit ecosystem.

This is done primarily through research, data, and community-informed insights to better guide decision-making and maximize impact.

“What really inspired me here was my interest in the scholarship and advocacy, because it’s really critical, particularly within the gay community, that we’re providing opportunities for all queer and trans kids to continue their education and to advocate for them,” said Walter Gendell. “The board knew about our passion around that and thought that Jack and I might be a good fit.” Gendell and his husband Fitzsimmons are fundholders at IECF, where their charitable giving supports the causes they believe in.

The IE LGBTQ+ Empowerment Fund is supported by two unique endowed funds created to ensure sustainable, long-term investment in LGBTQ+ communities.

The Endowed General Fund supports ongoing grantmaking to LGBTQ+-serving organizations. It also invests in advocacy and research that “inform policy, elevate lived experiences, and drive systems-level change.”

Meanwhile, the Endowed Scholarship Fund stands out for its ongoing support for scholarships benefiting LGBTQ+ students and their allies attending colleges and universities in the Inland Empire and Coachella Valley.

Following the establishment of the fund, IECF partnered with the Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California (CRIISC) in Riverside, whose Out in the I.E. exhibition inspired the fund’s name and mission. Through the partnership, CRIISC gave IECF permission to use the “Out in the IE” name for the fund, creating a shared identity centered on celebrating and supporting LGBTQ+ communities throughout the Inland Empire. IECF recently provided grant funding to help bring the exhibition online later this year, expanding public access to this important collection of stories and preserving the region’s LGBTQ+ history for future generations. The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to education, visibility, and long-term community impact.

“I thought it was a wonderful collaboration because honestly, our government is trying to erase our stories in the gay community, and we can’t let that happen,” Fitzsimmons said. “The exhibition was an incredible opportunity to hear the stories coming out of the queer community, stories having to do with the impact that the queer community had on the Inland Empire. “It was so on point for people to hear those stories, remember those stories and retain those stories,” he added.

Gendell stressed that it wasn’t just an exhibit one merely “walks through.”

“It was also a digitization effort to bring the exhibition online,” he said. “CRIISC brought in trained archivists to digitize an immense number of records and objects, as well as perform many oral histories.”

“Those stories will live on forever,” he added, “and knowing that these are accessible and will offer educational opportunities for the next generation of queer kids and leaders is important. They can know where they came from and that’s critical.”

Gabe Maldonado gives a tour of TruEvolution

During the Fund’s recent launch event, supporters visited the CRISSC exhibit and later toured the campus of TruEvolution, a Riverside-based nonprofit that advances health, housing, and opportunity for LGBTQ+ people across the Inland Empire.

According to UCLA School of Law’s 2023 Williams Institute data, 13.9 million adults in the United States identify as LGBTQ+. In California, that comes to 1.5 million, the largest LGBTQ+ population of any state.

Data also reports that young people are identifying as LGBTQ+ at far higher rates than older generations—15.2 percent of adults ages 18–24 identifying as LGBTQ+ compared with 1.8 percent of adults age 65 and older.

LGBTQ+ communities also face significant economic and housing challenges. Data reveals that 23 percent earn less than $24,000 annually and up to 40 percent of homeless youth identifying as LGBTQ+.

“The data is important and so is the impact we can make,” Fitzsimmons said. “It’s really important that we are communicating to the community that ‘we are here for you, we believe in you, we value you, and we want you to succeed.’”

Learn more at iegives.org/funds/out-in-the-ie-lgbtq-empowerment-fund/

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A recent grant from the CIELO Fund at Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF) is giving the nonprofit yet another opportunity to expand its impact and make a difference in the region.

That’s key for the local chapter—the national organization boasts more than local councils nationwide. Its mission is “to empower and advance” many economic conditions, educational goals, political influences, and the health and civil rights of the Latino community through community-based efforts.

“The grant was immediately beneficial to us because it takes a lot of money to organize the events we do,” said Sira Uribe, president of the Riverside chapter of LULAC. “Even though we are all volunteers, we obviously still have to pay for various venues, like when we do a candidate forum.”

“Resources like the one from IECF are a big help,” Uribe added. “If you think about what it takes to put on an event, like our free healthcare event, even though everybody participating is a volunteer, including the providers—from dentists and more—we still have to get the venue. We have to get a certain type of insurance. We have to rent equipment, and that would all not be possible without additional support.”

Obtaining a grant, and even acquiring additional sponsors, helps alleviate financial pressures so that the organization can focus on hosting.

Overall, the organization’s reach stretches far and wide in the region.

The Riverside council was founded in 2010. It is 100 percent volunteer and strongly advocates for the local community through conducting citizenship and voter registration drives, working towards the development of low-income housing units, and distributing scholarships to local students.

On that note, the LULAC National Scholarship Fund offers legal U.S. students—and individuals who qualify for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)—stellar opportunities to expand their education.

“We have always been very adamant about making sure that future generations have more of an education,” Uribe said, “because it helps them as an individual and their immediate family, and also because the majority of them want to give back to the community once they have achieved what they wanted.”

Uribe came on board the nonprofit in 2010.

“I was a general volunteer for a health fair event and that was my first exposure to the organization,” she said. “One of the main reasons the organization was founded at that time was because of health-related concerns.” Organizers, she says, recognized health concerns within the community and that having access to quality healthcare and preventative care is vital.

“It can make such difference,” she stressed. “We’re trying to empower a community that been marginalized and underserved for generations. That’s one of our main focuses.”

“A lot of our volunteers are people that they were first generation college students,” she added. “And they saw what big of a difference everything from scholarships to volunteering makes in opening up doors and opportunities. They want to be able to give that to the community still so they can continue to grow.”

Learn more at lulacofriverside.org.

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

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Riverside Children’s Theatre – a 2026 grantee

The Aaron Norris Creative Fund completed another robust round of grantmaking to arts organizations and individuals in the region. A recent grants celebration on July 1 found grantees expressing gratitude for the resources, which Joey Romero, who oversees the fund, says was downright inspiring and groundbreaking.

“We hold the event every year on the day that Aaron passed,” Romero said. “We did that collectively and on purpose so that we could turn a day of grief and sorrow into a day that we would celebrate Aaron and his legacy. This was our third year, and it was the most attended.”

Norris launched the fund before his death through the help of Inland Empire Community Foundation. It is yet another example of Norris’s generosity of spirit.

Norris rose to prominence in Riverside as a sharp businessman and passionate community philanthropist. His death in 2022 from Stage 4 Intimal Sarcoma sent shockwaves through the community, but his legacy lives on today through the fund.

IECF commended his leadership and dedication to the Give Big Riverside campaign, which once generated nearly $1 million for charities in Riverside County.

This year’s grantees include:

Ballet Folklórico de Riverside, which was awarded a 2026 annual grant to fund dancer training and community cultural preservation.

Riverside Arts Academy received support for their ongoing community music and youth education drives.

Riverside Children’s Theatre garnered support for local youth theater productions.

Rockstars of Tomorrow accepted a grant for its distinctly unique creative community music programs.

The Sam and Alfreda Maloof Foundation for the Arts and Crafts was a grantee—the unique gardens and gallery supports the work of wood sculptor Sam Maloof.

Empower You Edutainment will use its grant for its mission: to empower, educate, and transform the lives of the voiceless via song, dance, and theatre.

San Bernardino Symphony Association, a stalwart creative force in the area, was another grantee.

Family Promise of Riverside, which is dedicated to helping families at risk of or experiencing homelessness, and artist Roberto Cervantes round out the recipients.

“The entire fund is designed to support the arts,” Romero said. “Aaron’s passion was the performing arts. But Aaron, as a philanthropist, gave where he lived, which was in Riverside. This is the first year that we’ve actually expanded that a little bit to include organizations in San Bernardino.”

He noted that one big focus of the fun is arts organizations that benefit children.

“Because that’s where Aaron grew up—in the Riverside Children’s Theatre,” Romero added, “and that’s where he truly found his voice and really became who he really was. It gave him the confidence to be truly Aaron.”

He is quick to note the evolution of the fund and its progress over the last few years.

“We’ve given about $75,000 at this point,” Romero said. “The first year we put the annual event together, we had about 40 people there, and we gave away some money. The following year, I said to our friends—Aaron’s and mine—’Hey, let’s all get together; be on the board with me and help me with the fund.

“That year, about 80 people attended the event,” he added. “This year, because we’ve been so diligent in planning and application processes, we actually had to turn some groups away, which is not something we wanted to do, but because of our steady diligence, about 200 people attended this year’s event.”

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

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The arts, in particular.

Thanks to a recent grant from Inland Empire Community Foundation through the CIELO Fund, Galan Cultural Center is making new strides to offer something unique to Inland Empire residents.

“The grant allows us to expand our programming and other initiatives,” said Goretty Ornelas, director of the center. “Especially our Safe to Be in Action project, which helps us deliver messages to the Latino community, especially to those in need.”

Safe to Be in Action (Seguridad en Acción) is a free bilingual, theater-based program designed to teach families about various topics and issues—from bullying and boundaries to domestic violence and immigrant rights.

It’s an eclectic mix, overall, and the results have proven to be positive.

“The grant truly helps us open doors and create dialogue between parents and our youth,” Ornelas added. “The theatrical performances are about five to 10 minutes long, and they touch on a variety of topics, even something like digital safety.

“The funding helps us to pay for theater professionals, artists, and actors, and the staff that will help us put this together,” he added.

Galan Cultural Center has long been making strides in terms of community connection.

Programs offered are diverse. There’s Ballet Folklorico for all ages, and Folklorico Pequeñitos, for instance, which features traditional folkloric dance classes for children ages 2 to 5, stands out.

Ballet, jazz, and hip hop are also offered for various age groups.

Meanwhile, La Care Programs offer a broad mix of opportunities for the community to learn everything from healthy cooking and Zumba to participating in circuit training and other cardio activities. Health is a significant focus here.

Singing and other theatrical programs have been woven into this creative mix.

Elsewhere, a variety of events keep the nonprofit’s calendar full throughout the year. Collectively, all this reflects the dedication Galan has maintained since it officially became a nonprofit in 2021.

“We’ve actually been in the community for 30 years, before becoming a nonprofit,” Ornelas noted. “Our mission has been always to give the community access to the performing arts at a low cost or even free whenever funding is available.”

He says the organization has been expanding its programming since reaching nonprofit status, noting how having access to theater has become a great tool to educate the community and keep people informed.

“We encourage our community to participate in even more programming,” Ornelas said. “Whether that’s in areas around language or culture.”

He was quick to point out that there are always volunteer opportunities.

“We’re grateful for the volunteers we’ve had—students and college students—and we’re especially interested in volunteers for the Safe to Be in Action program,” he said. “Some of the positions we have aren’t completely volunteer because they will get paid, and we see that people put in a lot of time.

“We encourage the community to volunteer,” he added.

Learn more at galanculturalcenter.org.

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

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