Overview
Since our founding, the Inland Empire Community Foundation has awarded more than $127 million to nonprofit organizations that are doing vital work in health and human services, support to children and families, arts and culture, education – and for civic and environment benefit. In 2021, the Foundation gave more than $19 million in grants, of which nearly $4 million were for scholarships and education.
The grantmaking we do achieves meaningful, measurable results and leverages significant investments from other foundations, donors and government sources.
At IECF we accept competitive grant proposals from nonprofit organizations who serve the residents of Riverside and San Bernardino County during specific grant cycles.
Our Grants Committee reviews all information and makes recommendations to the full Board of Directors, who then make the final decisions on all competitive grants.
Grant Opportunities
Each of the competitive grants available to nonprofit agencies are listed along with a link to an online or downloadable application.
CIELO Fund 2024 Grant Application - Nov. 1, 2023 - Jan. 8, 2024
Launched in 2022 at the Inland Empire Community Foundation, the Cultivating Inland Empire Latino Opportunity Fund (CIELO Fund) is dedicated to uplifting and investing in the Inland Empire’s Latino community. The CIELO Fund supports organizations, initiatives, and innovations that are led by–and serve–Latinos in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The CIELO Fund also invests in the next generation of leaders through the CIELO Fund Scholarship Program, commissions original research, and works on efforts that promote positive narratives for Latinos in the IE. We are excited to open applications to apply for the CIELO Fund’s second annual call for grant applications for 2023-2024.
Opening Date: November 1, 2023
Closing Date: January 8, 2024
Grant range: up to $15,000
Grant Guidelines
Grant Guidelines (in Spanish)
Online Application Link
Online Application Link (in Spanish)
Technical assistance workshop: November 16, 2023, 4:00pm – 5:30 pm
Sign up for the webinar, here.
Riverside County Nonprofit Assistance Fund (Programmatic Funding) | Closed
Opening Date: July 10, 2023
Closing Date: August 10, 2023
Project Budget and Narrative
Organization Data Form
Riverside County by District HPI (Healthy Place Index)
Grant Guidelines
Online Application Link
Training Registration: July 19th Information Webinar
Office Hours – Click to Register
July 20: 4:00p – 5:00p
July 27: 4:00p – 5:00p
August 3: 4:00p -5:00p
Black Equity Initiative IE Technical Assistance Grant | Closed
The Black Equity Initiative Inland Empire (BEI), in partnership with the IE Funders Alliance and IECF, has announced a new Technical Assistance Grant Opportunity for Black-led organizations seeking support with grantwriting to secure funding for systems change and power-building initiatives.
The grant opportunity will consist of three grant writing instructional sessions in addition to a $10,000 one-time award. These sessions will focus on equipping eligible organizations with the knowledge and tools necessary to effectively articulate their vision, mission, and goals in grant proposals. Participants can expect to learn grant writing fundamentals and how to highlight key elements of their organization’s work to successfully align projects with systems change and power-building goals.
Opening Date: June 1, 2023
Closing Date: June 16, 2023
Amount Range: Three grant writing instructional sessions in addition to a $10,000 one-time award
Creative Corps Inland SoCal | Closed
Creative Corps Inland SoCal is pleased to announce a request for proposals to fund artists and organizations to envision and co-create public projects, messaging campaigns, media, and events that wrestle with environmental, public health, social justice, and civic engagement issues.
The program serves high priority communities, putting artists to work in order to build healthier and more vibrant communities, working on local issues where their contributions traditionally have been excluded. Together, Creative Corps Inland SoCal is designing a program to distribute more than $3.8 million in grants for artists to offer their unique perspectives and talents.
Creative Corps Inland SoCal is a collaboration between the California Arts Council, the Inland Empire Community Foundation, Arts Connection (The Arts Council of San Bernardino County), Riverside Arts Council, and the California Desert Arts Council to facilitate the California Creative Corps for Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
Opening Date: March 16, 2023
Closing Date: May 1, 2023
Amount Range: Up to $150,000
Field of Interest Funds | Closed
Opening Date: Monday, March 6, 2023, 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time
Closing Date: Monday, April 10, 2023, 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time
Online Portal Guide
Grant Guidelines
Field of Interest Fund Grant Evaluation Questions
Technical Assistance | Please click here for the online applicant tutorial.
Irene S. Rockwell Fund
The Irene S. Rockwell Fund benefits the residents of the city of Perris.
Start Irene S Rockwell Online Grant Application
Return to Application in Progress
Seraphim Fund
The Seraphim Fund aids women and children, including the economically disadvantaged, victims of domestic abuse, and those suffering from physical or mental illness or substance abuse.
Start Seraphim Online Grant Application
Return to Application in Progress
Fred Stebler & Eva V. Stebler Foundation Fund
The Fred Stebler & Eva V. Stebler Fund provides funds for the treatment and care of indigent children in Riverside County, with a strong emphasis on children with special needs.
Start Fred Stebler & Eva V Stebler Online Grant Application
Return to Application in Progress
James Bernard & Mildred Jordan Tucker Fund
The James Bernard & Mildred Jordan Tucker Fund was established in 1983 to benefit disabled persons who are dependent on the use of a wheelchair for mobility.
Start James Bernard & Mildred Jordan Tucker Online Grant Application
Return to Application in Progress
Idyllwild Community Fund | Closed
The Idyllwild Community Fund was established in 1996 to benefit the residents of Idyllwild and surrounding communities.
Opening Date: March 15, 2023
Closing Date: April 29, 2023, at 5:00 p.m.
Download Grant Guidelines
Download Online Portal Guide
Online Grant Application
Technical Assistance
Please click here for the online applicant tutorial.
The S.L. Gimbel Foundation Scholarship Fund | Closed
The S.L. Gimbel Foundation Scholarship Fund provides financial support for low-income students who will enroll or are currently enrolled at the California State University (CSU), San Bernardino (CSUSB), CSU Dominguez Hills (CSUDH), CSU Long Beach (CSULB), and CSU Los Angeles (CSULA). This scholarship is a one-time award. The scholarship awards are outright grant awards. No services will be required as a consequence of receiving the award. Scholarship awards are for tuition, books, education fees, on campus housing and other educational expenses. The intent is to provide scholarships equally to students studying liberal arts and the sciences.
Opening Date: June 28, 2022
Closing Date: July 25, 2022
Amount Range: $10,000
Youth Grantmakers Program | Closed
Inland Empire Youth Grantmakers Fund
Youth Philanthropy
The Inland Empire Community Foundation established the Youth Grantmakers Program in 2008 to encourage philanthropy among youth. Youth Grantmakers address issues important to them by being rigorously trained in grantmaking. Students age 15 to 18 apply to the Youth Grantmakers through their high school administrative or counseling offices. Through a rigorous 10-month, hands-on curriculum, YG students build leadership skills, participate in community service activities, conduct a needs assessment of issues relevant to youth, make site visits to nonprofit organizations, review and analyze grant proposals, and make grant recommendations based on local needs.
The Youth Grantmakers Fund
In the past, the Youth Grantmakers Fund provided financial support for projects, programs and/or activities that served youth in such areas as Health and Human Services, Arts and Culture, and Education. In September of 2022, as a collective grantmaking group representing Riverside, San Bernardino and Coachella, we decided we wanted to shift the program focus to a singular effort. The Inland Empire Youth Grantmakers have made Education Equity their focus area of support for the region.
Opening Date: April 4, 2023
Closing Date: May 1, 2023
Amount range: $1,000 – $2,500
Download Grant Guidelines and Application
Community Impact Fund | Closed
IECF is pleased to announce a request for proposals for the Community Impact Fund to support DEI learning and work in the IE. In the past, IECF has provided capacity building grants through its endowed fund. In March 2020, IECF adopted a focus on racial, gender, and economic equity. This means ensuring our staff and Board reflect the communities we serve and that our grantmaking builds the voice and power of our grantees to transform their communities. It also means listening to and incorporating the lived experiences of people who daily struggle to achieve safety, health, and prosperity in the Inland Empire. In doing this work, IECF will rely on data that shows where disparities exist to drive our grantmaking, programs, and partnerships. IECF is walking this journey with its Board, staff, and stakeholders to better use community philanthropy to create a fairer Inland Empire. IECF stands firmly against racism and all forms of oppression, prioritizing equity, inclusion, and diversity in our community work. In support of this commitment, our 2021 CIF grants will explicitly support groups in the IE to continue on and work towards these values and practices.
Opening Date: December 6, 2021
Closing Date: January 17, 2022
Amount Range: Up to $20,000
Download Grant Guidelines and Application Instructions
Online Grant Application
Community Impact Fund
The Community Impact Fund is comprised of unrestricted contributions that allow the Foundation to make grants to eligible nonprofits and strengthen organizational capacity, effectiveness, and sustainability to meet the most critical needs in our communities.
This simple giving vehicle enables donors with broad charitable interests to pool their gifts with other donated funds to focus on high-priority needs identified by the Grants Review Committee and Board of Directors.
2019 Community Impact Grantees
Arts Connection
Bear Valley Community Healthcare District Foundation
Calicinto Ranch, Inc.
California Partnership
Canine Support Teams, Inc.
Child Advocates of San Bernardino County
Cove Communities Senior Association
Desert Blind Association, Inc.
Dezart Performs
The Empowerment Center
Growing Inland Achievement
HIV + Aging Research Project
The LGBT Sanctuary Palm Springs, Inc
Making Hope Happen Foundation
My Learning Studio Outreach
Rebuilding Together Mountain Communities
Samaritan Counseling Center
United States Adaptive Recreation Center
United Way of the Desert
Young Idyllwild, Inc
Youth Mentoring Action Network
Grantee Toolkit
Congratulations on your award!
IECF is proud to support your important work in the community. We encourage you share news of your grant award and its impact over time via digital, social, and print media.
To help you get started, we’ve provided the following guidelines on the best ways to promote your grant project.
Agency Endowment Funds
Nonprofit organizations may establish an Agency Fund at the Inland Empire Community Foundation that earn interest through pooled investments and offer a reliable source of financial support for the organization.
Agency Endowment
An endowment fund gives organizations the opportunity to create a fund that generates investment income, year after year, which can be drawn down in set annual payments to the organization or reinvested in the fund to grow over time.
The permanence of an endowment fund is both appealing and reassuring to donors and nonprofit boards of directors who seek the enduring value of a dedicated source of income for the organization.
A portion of the earned income can be drawn down in set annual payments or reinvested in the fund to grow over time, according to the organization’s needs, so help nonprofits build funds for a project or future operational needs.
Agency Endowment Funds
AFVW Foundation “In Need” Endowment Fund
AFVW Foundation Fund
Assistance League of San Bernardino Fund
Animal Samaritans Restricted Reserve Fund
Guhl Medical Scholarship Fund
Life Care Fund
Lewis Medical Scholarship Fund
Margaret B. Branchflower Endowment Fund
Baldy View ROP Endowment Fund
Crafton Hills College Foundation Fund
California Scottish Rite Foundation Fund
Dollars For Scholars Scholarship Fund
Neuro Vitality Foundation Fund
HIV/Housing/Homeless Fund
Red Ribbon Fund
Peggy Fouke Wortz Friends of the Family Fund to Benefit Family Services Association of Western Riverside County
Friends of My Family Fund
Fox Cultural Arts Fund
Lehmer Endowment Trust Fund
Guide Dogs of the Desert Securing Our Future
The High Desert Community Foundation Endowment Funds
Hemet Education Foundation Endowment Fund
Hemet Hospice Volunteers, Inc. Fund
Hemet Library Foundation Fund
Inland Futures Foundation of San Bernardino Community College District Fund
Idyllwild Help Center Burgess Fund
Idyllwild Pines Endowment Fund
JFS Legacy Fund
Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center Compensation Fund
Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center Maintenance Fund
Junior League of Riverside Agency Endowment
Kiwanis Club of Riverside Endowment Fund
Riverside Land Conservancy Fund
Riverside Public Library Foundation Fund
March Field Museum Fund
The Mizell Senior Center Endowment Fund
Mighty Oaks Legacy Endowment Fund
Mt. San Jacinto College Foundation Funds
Ontario-Montclair Promise Scholars Fund
Perris Valley Heritage Fund
Regional Access Project Foundation Fund
Redlands Bowl Performing Arts Fund
Riverside Education Enrichment Fund
Riverside Museum Associates Heritage House Fund
Riverside Museum Associates/Rible Education Fund
Riverside Museum Associates/General Support Fund
Operation Safe House Endowment Fund
San Bernardino Symphony Association Fund
San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital Foundation Fund
Santa Rosa Plateau Foundation – Ellis Fund
Santa Rosa Plateau Foundation Endowment Fund
Santa Rosa Plateau Foundation Unrestricted Endowment Fund
Temple Beth El Legacy Fund
The Joslyn Center Fund
Upland Community Foundation Endowment Fund
The Unforgettables Foundation Endowment
Victoria Avenue Forever
Celia Cudiamat
Senior Vice President, Grants and Community Impact
951.241.7777
extension 114