Community Impact Fund: Meeting the Moment

Our Grantmaking Focus

Girls on the Run IE

At IECF, we believe that true change is cultivated in a landscape of equity, belonging, and civic engagement. Through our Community Impact Fund, we support organizations striving to create a more just Inland Empire—one where every resident feels valued, has a voice in shaping their community, and has access to opportunities that foster both individual and collective success.

IECF’s Community Impact Fund (CIF) is its only unrestricted grantmaking. Two years ago, the Community Impact Fund, IECF’s competitive grant opportunity, funded efforts by IE nonprofits to embark on their own journey of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and to consider how those ideas could enhance their impact. In 2025, given the impact of executive orders, federal funding cuts, and threatened future financial support to our nonprofit sector, IECF is focusing the CIF grant opportunity to assist nonprofits through core support grants, to be expended in six months.

Strengthening Nonprofits and Leadership

IECF’s Community Impact Fund grants support organizations working to create more inclusive, connected, and opportunity-rich communities. We use data to identify disparities and direct resources to those most impacted, ensuring that our investments lead to long-term, systemic change

2025 Grant Opportunity: Meeting the Moment

In June 2025, we hosted focus groups in three (3) locations: Riverside, San Bernardino and Coachella Valley. Twenty-two organizations participated from the sectors of Arts & Culture, Veteran Services, Youth Mentoring, Capacity Builder, College Prep, Immigrant Services, After School Program, Foster Youth, Health, Housing, Child Advocates, Senior Services, and Food Insecurity. Participants provided context on the state of IE nonprofits and consequently identified, prioritized, and delineated the most impactful, relevant and simplest ways to distribute $500,000 in grant funding.

Although the initial goal was to give out $500,000, funds were bolstered when the James Irvine Foundation offered a $250,000 contribution and the IE Funders Alliance gave $100,000.

IECF received 132 applications, paving the way for 45 nonprofits to be funded, for a total of $850,000.

Join Us in Creating a More Inclusive Inland Empire

We invite organizations committed to belonging, civic engagement, and equitable opportunities to apply for Community Impact Fund grants. As partners, we can build a region where every voice matters, every person belongs, and every community thrives. Subscribe to our monthly eNewsletter to be notified about new grant opportunities.