Policy Principles & Priorities:
In the summer of 2021, the Inland Empire Community Foundation officially launched its Office of Policy & Engagement. The objective of the Office is to address inequities in the Inland Empire by creating greater policy capacity in the region through collaboration, uplifting community-based organizations and their ideas, and amplify a greater voice and influence on policymakers and the region’s major institutions. In an effort to be a global community partner, the Inland Empire Community Foundation’s policy priorities will include: Education Equity, Inclusive Economic Development, Housing, Health, and the Environment.
Save the date for our next Policy & Engagement Workshop Series
August 9-10, 2023
Riverside Convention Center
3637 5th Street, Riverside
Details coming soon
2023 Policy Agenda
2023-24 Policy Agenda Rollout
IECF was pleased to welcome local government officials and representatives of nonprofit organizations to our 2023-24 Policy Agenda Rollout on January 31, 2023. Julian Cuevas, IECF’s Director of Policy & Governmental Affairs, spoke about policy objectives for the 2023-24 legislative session. Those will include a focus on:
• Education Equity
• Inclusive Economic Development
• Housing
• Health
• Climate & Environment
We’re excited to use this moment to create a lasting tangible difference for people in the Inland Empire region. We hope that you will join with us in collaboration and partnership to advance our vision of a vibrant, generous and just region with unlimited opportunities. To learn more about this important work, please view our Policy Agenda in its entirety.
2022 Policy & Engagement Series:
In September 2022, IECF, along with the Inland Empire Community Collaborative, hosted regional Policy Capacity Building Workshops to help our community advocate and engage in the state legislative and budget processes. View the recorded sessions below.
Read more about the workshops in the blog here.
Inland Empire Public Affairs Table:
The Inland Empire Public Affairs Table is made up of regional “policy wonks”. This collective body identifies and amplifies the regional voice as a means of encouraging policymakers at all levels – local, state, and federal – to act in the interests of the Inland Empire. The goal is for this cross-sectoral body of policy experts in the region to help establish and build a strong relationship with policymakers in order help shape policy, influence the region’s policy priorities, and serve as a policy vetting source for the IE Caucus.
Inland Economic Growth & Opportunity Table:
The Inland Economic Growth & Opportunity Table focuses on inclusive economic development through collaboration on medium and long-term paths toward a resilient economy. It mobilizes a diverse set of community leaders from Riverside and San Bernardino counties and focuses on advancing inclusive economic growth and expanding middle class opportunity in the region. The goal is to take bold steps that generate more quality middle-skill jobs that earn family-sustaining wages, and make them accessible to all workers in the region, particularly those without a four-year degree.
Inland Empire Children’s Cabinet:
The Inland Empire Children’s Cabinet is a table bringing together service providers and policy experts to address the regional challenges around equitable access to quality early childhood education, child care, and youth support. The goal is to craft an attainable policy agenda and act on identified policy priorities.
Dual Enrollment Table:
The Inland Empire Community Foundation is partnering with Growing Inland Achievement in convening state and regional dual enrollment experts to identify implementation challenges and barriers – particularly for our students of color. The goal is to develop near-term attainable policy solutions that can successfully be implemented in the region and across California.
Legislation & Budget Priorities
Regional:
American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: Our nonprofits are delivering critical services and supplies to the region of nearly 5 million residents. Unfortunately, the second round of CARES Act funding limited the breadth and capacity of these services. A letter was submitted to the counties of Riverside and San Bernardino advocating for the inclusion of nonprofits in the relief package as partners in the dissemination of funds and services.
NPO Support Letter to the County of Riverside
NPO Support Letter to the County of San Bernardino
Children’s Cabinet Support Letter to the County of Riverside
Children’s Cabinet Support Letter to the County of San Bernardino
State:
Budget
Community Economic Resilience Fund (CERF): The Inland Economic Growth and Opportunity (IEGO) Executive Committee and its Members wrote a letter of support of fully appropriating the Community Economic Resilience Fund (CERF) at $750 million as proposed in the Governor’s May Budget Revision.
Support Letter
American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: Our nonprofits are delivering critical services and supplies to the region of nearly 5 million residents. Unfortunately, the second round of CARES Act funding limited the breadth and capacity of these services. A letter was submitted to the California State Legislature advocating for the inclusion of nonprofits in the relief package as partners in the dissemination of funds and services.
Support Letter
Legislation
Assembly Bill 14 (Aguiar-Curry)/Senate Bill 4 (Gonzalez): These bills will help close the digital divide and meet the connectivity needs of Californians.
Support Letter
Assembly Bill 106 (Salas): This bill requests an investment that will help support the creation or advancement of comprehensive strategies for the rebuilding of regional economies in a more equitable, inclusive and sustainable manner. The program seeks to ensure that disadvantaged communities and communities of color are fully included in decision-making processes around key issues impacting regional economic prosperity.
Support Letter
Assembly Bill 288 (Bonta): This bill would prohibit the displacement of student aid awards due to receipt of private scholarships for students who are eligible for the Pell Grant at institutions of higher education.
Support Letter (Link)
Assembly Bill 928 (Berman): This bill would to transform the transfer process for California’s community college students by simplifying the transfer maze and strengthening the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) pathway in order to improve racially equitable access to transfer attainment and ensuring that California establishes statewide coordination and goals to improve transfer rates.
Support Letter
Federal:
American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: Our nonprofits are delivering critical services and supplies to the region of nearly 5 million residents. Unfortunately, the second round of CARES Act funding limited the breadth and capacity of these services. A letter was submitted to the United States Congress advocating for the inclusion of nonprofits in the relief package as partners in the dissemination of funds and services.
Support Letter
Build Back Better Regional Challenge: The Build Back Better Regional Challenge is designed to assist communities nationwide in their efforts to build back better by accelerating the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and building local economies that will be resilient to future economic shocks. The Inland Economic Growth & Opportunity table is competing for a portion of the $1 Billion available in order to grow new regional industry clusters and scale existing ones through planning, infrastructure, innovation and entrepreneurship, workforce development, access to capital, and more.
Inland Empire Delegation
County Board of Supervisors
County of Riverside
Coming soon
County of San Bernardino
Coming soon
Inland Empire Caucus
Coming soon
Inland Empire Congressional Delegation
Coming soon
Julian Y. Cuevas
Director of Policy & Governmental Affairs
951-990-9877