News & Events
Inland Empire Community Foundation is committed to delivering clear, helpful information about the work we do to create a thriving Inland Empire region. As a vital link between the Foundation and the press, IECF welcomes requests from the media related to philanthropy, emerging issues, Foundation programs and the Foundation itself. Please also explore our blog for the latest IECF news and upcoming events.
Press Releases
Inland Empire Community Foundation often releases information to the media regarding our charitable funds, donors, grantmaking, and community leadership.
Please view press releases below.
2025
CIELO Fund Reaches $3 Million Milestone to Advance Opportunities for Latinos in the Inland Empire, Launches $500k CIELO Endowed Fund, October 7, 2025
Education Grants Awarded to 12 Inland Empire Organizations, September 10, 2025
Inland Leaders Gather for the Common Good at IECF’s Annual Policy & Philanthropy Summit, July 10, 2025
CIELO Fund announces $450,000 to 40 organizations in 2025 grants, April 30, 2025
$49,000 in Grants Awarded! Women’s Giving Fund Empowers Local Causes, March 27, 2025
Inland Empire Community Foundation and Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services Unite to Launch New IE Down Payment Assistance Program, February 5, 2025
IECF Announces New Board Chair and Three Members to its Board of Directors, January 14, 2025
2024
Inland Empire Community Foundation Receives Transformative $4.5 Million Gift, October 29, 2024
The CIELO Fund Celebrates Raising $2 Million for Inland Empire’s Latino Community, October 7, 2024
IECF Appoints New Charitable Giving Officer for Riverside, September 16, 2024
Investing to Thrive: IECF’s Annual Policy & Philanthropy Summit Returns to Riverside, July 23, 2024
CIELO Fund Announces $107k in Scholarships for Inland Empire Latino Students June 24, 2024
CIELO Fund Announces $360,000 to 31 Organizations in 2024 Round of Grants, April 10, 2024
IE Veterans Struggle to Find Existing Benefits and Services Across Vast Region, According to New Report, February 29, 2024
One Application, Many Opportunities: Inland Empire Community Foundation Scholarships are Open, February 19, 2024
IE’s Growing Black Population Shows Signs of Resilience, but Widening Disparities Remain, Jan. 25, 2024
2023
IE Black Equity Fund Announces Record $1.027 million in grants to 71 nonprofits
Few Latinos Leading Inland Empire Nonprofits: Briefing Tackles Lack of Diversity
The CIELO Fund raises $1 Million in its First Year
CIELO Fund at IECF Announces $125,000 in Scholarships for Inland Empire Latino Students
IECF Announces New Chair and Three Members to its Board of Directors
IECF Appoints New Regional Charitable Giving Officer for Coachella Valley
2022
CIELO Fund: Call for Applications Now Open
IE Black Equity Fund: Call for Applications Now Open
IECF Announces $589,500 to 40 Nonprofits from Community Impact Fund
IECF Announces Partnership with Amazon for Earth Day 2022
IE Black Equity Fund Announces $740,000 in Grants to 16 Nonprofits
In The News
Press throughout the region covers Inland Empire Community Foundation charitable funds, grantmaking, and community leadership.
View recent news coverage about IECF.
2025 News Coverage
OCTOBER 2025
CIELO Fund Celebrates Growth, Scholarships and Immigrant Justice at Annual Brunch, Inland Valley News, October 7, 2025
CIELO Fund Raises $3 Million, Launches $500K Endowment to Strengthen Latino Communities via Education and Opportunity, IE Community News, Newsbreak, October 7, 2025
SEPTEMBER 2025
IECF announces $500k in Community Impact Fund grants, Desert Sun (SCNG Papers), September 19, 2025
AUGUST 2025
Annual summit attracts key change agents, Desert Sun, August 22, 2025
KVCR Midday News: IECF Policy Summit in Riverside focuses on housing and equity, KVCR News, August 15, 2025
Cumbre de Filantropía: Puntos en Común para el Bien Común, El Informador del Valle, August 13, 2025
Inland Empire Summit Reveals Majority of Rent-Burdened Households Spend Over 50% of Income on Housing, IE Community News, NewsBreak, August 13, 2025
IECF 2025 Summit: Building Thriving Communities Through Civic Engagement, Black Voice News, August 9, 2025
Inland Empire Community Foundation summit focuses on common ground, connections, Press-Enterprise, August 8, 2025
Keynote Speaker Urges ‘Transformative Solidarity’ at IECF Policy & Philanthropy Summit, Inland Valley News, NewsBreak, August 7, 2025
Generous Endowment Will Ensure Regional Jazz Concert, Inland Valley News, August 6, 2025
JULY 2025
Inland Empire veterans getting more support with recent grant, Daily Bulletin, July 31, 2025
KVCR’s Funding Crisis Revealed at Inland Film Festival Mixer, Creatives Rally Behind Public Media, IE Community News, July 28, 2025
BlackLash Part 1: Inland Empire Nonprofits at Risk of Funding Loss Amid DEIA Restrictions, Black Voice News, July 25, 2025
De Los turns 2. Here’s what we did over the last year, De Los, July 11, 2025
JUNE 2025
Giving back: How to support coverage of philanthropies in the Coachella Valley, Desert Sun, June 4, 2025
MAY 2025
IE’s Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders populations get support from new fund, Redlands Daily Facts, (SCNG Papers), May 24, 2025
One in Ten: A Call to Invest in AANHPI’s Future in the Inland Empire, The Los Angeles Post, May 22, 2025
CIELO Fund grants $450K to 40 organizations, Fontana Herald News, May 15, 2025
Revolving loan fund to assist San Bernardino County nonprofits, Needles Desert Star, May 12, 2025
APRIL 2025
Oak Hills resident awarded Woman of Achievement title over 80 competing nominees, Victorville Daily Press, April 16, 2025
IECF Awards $40K to Support Housing, Education, and Domestic Violence Services for Inland Empire Women, IE Community News, April 1, 2025
MARCH 2025
Women’s Giving Fund gives $49,000 in grants to Inland Empire organizations, San Bernardino County Sun, (SCNG Papers), March 28, 2025
IECF Idyllwild Community Fund Grant – California, FundsforNGOs, March 25, 2025
Time for Change Opens New Shelter, Hosts Gala, Precinct Reporter Group, March 20, 2025
Inland Empire Community Foundation invites applications for Idyllwild Community Fund, Philanthropy News Digest, March 14, 2025
Newly-enacted down payment aid for Inland Empire homebuyers, Calo News, March 12, 2025
FEBRUARY 2025
IECF and Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services partner to aid new homeowners, Desert Sun, February 28, 2025
Application process is open for 2025 Inland Empire Community Foundation scholarships, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, (SCNG Papers), February 28, 2025
These 12 Inland Empire media outlets get boost from IE Journalism Innovation Hub + Fund grants, Redlands Daily Facts, (SCNG Papers), February 21, 2025
$40k Down Payment Program Announced for Inland Empire, KNBC4, February 11, 2025
$1 Million Program to Help IE Families Overcome Barriers to Homeownership, IE Community News (IECN), February 11, 2025
IE Down Payment Assistance Program Aims to Close Wealth Gap, Community Forward Redlands, February 10, 2025
What’s new: Down-payment program offers up to $40,000 to homebuyers, Daily Bulletin, February 10, 2025
JANUARY 2025
The Inland Empire is a hotbed for Latino culture. De Los wants to tell its stories., Los Angeles Times, January 31, 2025
Inland Empire Community Foundation Boosts Local Nonprofits in Coachella Valley, NBC Palm Springs, January 21, 2025
What’s new: Dual-branded hotel breaks ground at Morongo resort, Press Enterprise, January 20, 2025
Civic Solutions: Homelessness in California Is Getting Worse—but Work Is Being Done to Turn the Tide, Coachella Valley Independent, January 16, 2025
Inland Empire Community Foundation Announces New Chair and Three Members to its Board of Directors, IE Community News, January 15, 2025
Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center in Riverside hopes to keep momentum heading into 2025, Press-Enterprise, January 3, 2025
2024 News Coverage
2024
Brothers of the Desert Launch Scholarship Fund for Black Men in the Inland Empire, NBC Palm Springs, December 30, 2024
Coachella Non-Profit Establishes Scholarship to Support Gay Black Men, My News LA, December 30, 2024
Brothers of the Desert launches new scholarship fund, Desert Sun, December 27, 2024
New CFO appointment for the IECF, The Press-Enterprise, December 23, 2024
Mehta named CFO of local foundation, IE Business Daily, December 22, 2024
Inland Empire Community Foundation announces new CFO, Desert Sun, December 20, 2024
Inland Empire Community Foundation Announces Khyati Mehta as New Chief Financial Officer, City News Group, December 19, 2024
Late Palm Springs philanthropist donates $4.5 million to local nonprofit organizations, Palm Springs Life, November 9, 2024
Inland Empire Community Foundation receives $4.5 million, Fontana Herald News, November 8, 2024
Inland Empire Community Foundation receives $4.5 million gift, Press Enterprise, (SCNG papers), November 7, 2024
Community Foundation Update, Philanthropy News Digest, November 2, 2024
$4.5 million donation will assist pair of city organizations, Palm Springs Post, October 31, 2024
$4.5 million from late Palm Springs philanthropist to three valley causes, Desert Sun, October 30, 2024
Four Coachella Valley organizations to share $4.5 million in donations, KESQ-TV, October 30, 2024
Four Coachella Valley organizations to share $4.5 million in donations, MyLANews.com, October 30, 2024
Poll reveals nearly 80% of IE Latinos struggle to find affordable housing, IECN, September 2024
CIELO Fund hits milestone with more than $2 million raised for Inland Empire’s Latino community, Press Enterprise (SCNG papers), October 10, 2024
CIELO Fund hits milestone, raising more than $2 million for the Latino community, Desert Sun, October 18, 2024
Empowering the IE: CIELO Fund marks two years of impact, Calo News, October 17, 2024
IECF Combatting Inland Empire News Deserts with Launch of Journalism Innovation Hub + Fund Collaborative, IECN, June 5, 2024
Inland Empire Community Foundation Fights to End Food Insecurity, Palm Springs Life, May 31, 2024
IECF Fund makes annual donations, IE Business Daily, April 26, 2026
Empowering Women: Women’s Giving Fund awards $50,000 in grants, IE Community News, April 26, 2024
CIELO Fund offers $360,000 to 31 organizations in new round of grants, Desert Sun, April 26, 2024
Women’s Giving Fund awards $50,000 in grants, Precinct Reporter, April 25, 2024
Empowering Women: Women’s Giving Fund awards $50,000 in grants, City News Group, April 25, 2024
IECF Empowers the Arts in the Coachella Valley, Palm Springs Life, April 22, 2024
Helping Inland Empire women in need is goal of Women’s Giving Fund, Press Enterprise (SCNG papers), April 21, 2024
CIELO Fund offers $360,000 to 31 organizations in new round of grants, Press Enterprise (SCNG papers), April 20, 2024
City of Riverside makes historic investment in nonprofits through revolving loan fund, Black Voice News, March 27, 2024
New report reveals Inland Empire vets struggle to find benefits, services, Desert Sun, March, 15, 2024
City of Riverside launches revolving loan fund for nonprofits, HeySoCal, March 14, 2024
New report reveals Inland Empire veterans struggle to find benefits and services, Press Enterprise (SCNG papers), March 14, 2024
Growing Black population in the Inland Empire faces many challenges, study says, Press Enterprise (SCNG papers), March 3, 2024
Black Equity Fund report reveals inequities in the Inland Empire, Black Voice News, February, 28, 2024
IE’s growing Black population shows signs of resilience, but widening disparities remain, Los Angeles Sentinel, Jan. 29, 2024
Events
2025 CIELO Fund Brunch & Celebration
Join us on October 4th for the annual celebration of CIELO Fund grantees and scholarship recipients!
Annual Reports
Learn about IECF’s work, programs and initiatives through our publications.
Logos
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For more information, contact Charee Gillins, Marketing and Communications Director at cgillins@iegives.org.
Charee Gillins
Marketing and Communications Director
951.241.7777
extension 123
