For some people, philanthropy means supporting a favorite nonprofit year after year. For others, it means volunteering time, responding to urgent needs, or thinking carefully about how to create lasting change. However it shows up, philanthropy is not one-size-fits-all. It’s as unique as the people behind it.

That’s where IECF comes in.

At IECF, we believe that everyone has a philanthropic instinct—it just looks different from person to person. Our role is to help you discover, shape, and act on that instinct in a way that reflects your values, your experiences, and your goals. Whether you already have a clear vision or are just beginning to explore what matters most, we’re here to help you connect the dots.

But how, exactly, does this work? What does it look like in real life to get started with IECF?

Often, the starting point is simply a conversation. Here’s what you can expect during your first meeting with a member of the IECF team.

We’ll review your favorite charities.

Together, we’ll take a look at a list of the charities you already support and review each organization to uncover the reasons you love and support each one. This is a crucial starting point because IECF is here to help you make the most of what you are already doing, and then build on that to discover how you can get even more involved.

We’ll chat about your story.

We enjoy hearing from our donors about the experiences that have shaped their lives. As we begin this part of our conversation, we’ll explore questions that help unlock where your charitable passions may lie and why. What challenges have you or your loved ones faced? What opportunities made a difference for you? Often, the causes we care about most are connected to our own journeys. Reflecting on these moments can help clarify where you feel most motivated to give.

We’ll talk about what’s going on in our community.

Which local issues capture your attention or spark a strong emotional response? It might be something you read in the news, a local initiative you hear about, or a cause a friend supports. These moments are often clues pointing toward what matters most to you. IECF can help provide context for these issues and share information about which organizations are directly addressing the local challenges that top your list.  

We’ll connect with your advisors about structure.

As your charitable purposes come into focus, we would welcome the opportunity to join you for a meeting with your estate planning and tax advisors, or even provide articles you can share with your advisors about charitable giving structures that might help you achieve your goals. Whether your charitable goals are best served via a donor-advised fund, unrestricted fund, legacy gift, IRA beneficiary designation, or anything in between, IECF can help implement your charitable intentions in ways that your advisors recommend are best aligned with the rest of your financial plan. 

As we take these steps together, remember that you don’t have to have all the answers right away. Philanthropy is a journey, not a destination. It’s okay to start small, to ask questions, and to adjust your approach along the way. Whether you’re ready to establish a fund, looking to deepen your involvement, or simply beginning to think about how you want to give back, IECF is here to help. Together, we can turn your love of humanity into meaningful, lasting impact—right here in the community we share.

Please reach out to our Charitable Giving Team anytime. Stay up to date on all the good work we’re doing through the power of philanthropy – sign up for our eNewsletter, Philanthropy Matters, today.

The team at the community foundation is honored to serve as a resource and sounding board as you build your charitable plans and pursue your philanthropic objectives for making a difference in the community. This newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, accounting, or financial planning advice. Please consult your tax or legal advisor to learn how this information might apply to your own situation.

The post Step by step, it starts with “love of humanity” appeared first on IECF.

That’s where IECF comes in. No matter where you are on your charitable journey—just getting started, giving consistently, or thinking about long-term legacy—we’re here to help you shape a plan that fits.

Consider a few examples that may feel familiar.

Here, there, and everywhere

Some donors find themselves giving generously but without a clear structure. They support a wide range of causes, say “yes” when needs arise, and genuinely want to make a difference, but may not have a coordinated approach. If that sounds like you, a fund at IECF can help bring everything together. Many donors use a donor-advised fund to organize their giving in one place, making it easier to support favorite organizations while also stepping back to think more strategically about long-term impact. Over time, some donors expand their approach to include additional tools, such as field-of-interest funds or legacy plans, creating a more intentional and lasting charitable “portfolio.”

Results matter

Other donors are highly motivated to give but want to be sure their contributions are making a real difference. If you’ve ever paused before making a gift because you weren’t certain how funds would be used—or wondered how to identify the most effective organizations—you’re not alone. IECF can serve as a trusted partner in these moments, helping you evaluate opportunities, understand community needs, and connect with organizations that are delivering meaningful results. For many donors, this added layer of insight turns hesitation into confidence and leads to deeper engagement over time.

Starting small

Some donors feel strongly about giving but worry that their financial situation limits what they can do. They may already be supporting causes they care about, even in small ways, but assume that more structured or impactful philanthropy is out of reach. In reality, many donors begin with modest contributions and build from there. Establishing a fund at IECF—even with a relatively small initial gift—can provide a simple, organized way to give. And if you are thinking about the future, incorporating a legacy gift into a will, trust, or beneficiary designation can create a lasting impact without affecting current finances.

Already rolling!

Of course, many donors are already deeply engaged. You may be actively involved with nonprofits, serving on boards, or exploring more sophisticated ways to align your charitable giving with your financial and estate plans. In these cases, IECF can help you expand your impact even further—whether through gifts of appreciated assets, multi-generational giving strategies, or long-term endowment planning that supports the community for years to come.

The common thread across all of these examples is that there’s no single starting point—and no single destination. Charitable giving evolves over time, often alongside changes in your life, your family, and your priorities. What matters most is having the flexibility and support to adapt your approach as those changes occur.

That’s exactly what IECF is designed to provide. Whether you’re organizing your giving, exploring new opportunities, or planning for the future, our team is here to help you make the most of your philanthropy in a way that reflects your values and goals.

We’re honored to work with donors at every stage of the journey—and we look forward to continuing the conversation.

Please reach out to our Charitable Giving Team anytime. Stay up to date on all the good work we’re doing through the power of philanthropy – sign up for our eNewsletter, Philanthropy Matters, today.

The team at the community foundation is honored to serve as a resource and sounding board as you build your charitable plans and pursue your philanthropic objectives for making a difference in the community. This newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, accounting, or financial planning advice. Please consult your tax or legal advisor to learn how this information might apply to your own situation.

The post What type of donor are you—scattered, results-focused, or deep into it already? appeared first on IECF.

than ever.

Here are three interesting emerging themes:

They don’t need it—or want it.

Sometimes it makes good financial sense for heirs to disclaim inheritances from their parents. This Wall Street Journal article (subscription required) is instructive, noting that heirs can sometimes benefit from refusing an inheritance, allowing assets—especially tax-heavy ones like traditional IRAs—to pass to contingent beneficiaries in a more tax-efficient way. Legal disclaimers provide post-death flexibility for families to adjust estate plans in response to current circumstances, though they must be executed carefully to comply with strict rules.

Strategic giving leads to local giving.

High net worth donors are becoming more intentional and strategic in their charitable giving, focusing on outcomes, alignment with personal values, and long-term impact rather than making purely reactive or broad-based donations. Alongside these changes is a growing preference for supporting local organizations, as donors increasingly want to see the direct effects of their contributions within their own communities.

Hands-on local involvement and proactive planning go hand in hand.

Donors using donor-advised funds are particularly locally focused, as evidenced by volunteering statistics. These donors are significantly more likely to volunteer their time—especially within their own communities—demonstrating deeper, hands-on engagement with the organizations they support. This combination of higher volunteerism and frequent giving suggests that donor-advised fund donors are not only more active philanthropically but also more personally connected to local causes and community impact.

To learn how these trends might apply to your situation, please reach out to IECF! Our team is happy to work with you and your advisors to structure a charitable giving plan—including a donor-advised fund, cause-specific fund, legacy fund, and more—that meets your overall financial and estate planning goals while also ensuring that your wealth can help improve the quality of life in our region for years to come. 

Please reach out to our Charitable Giving Team anytime. Stay up to date on all the good work we’re doing through the power of philanthropy – sign up for our eNewsletter, Philanthropy Matters, today.

The team at the community foundation is honored to serve as a resource and sounding board as you build your charitable plans and pursue your philanthropic objectives for making a difference in the community. This newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, accounting, or financial planning advice. Please consult your tax or legal advisor to learn how this information might apply to your own situation.

The post Rethinking legacy: Balancing gifts to heirs with the community’s future appeared first on IECF.

dozens of articles and evaluating how the changes will impact your clients, many of your clients are just now learning about the changes, especially as issues came to the forefront for them during tax season. Even if you’ve been talking with clients about the changes for months, don’t stop. For many clients, now is the first time they’ll really be listening.

Here are three things to know:

—Mainstream media is picking up the pace in its coverage of charitable planning techniques. For example, the Wall Street Journal recently published an article about donor-advised funds as a tool for tax savings and community impact. Many clients may not realize that IECF offers donor-advised funds, along with other options for structuring a charitable giving plan to support their favorite causes and address critical community issues. Be sure to reach out to IECF whenever a client asks you about setting up a donor-advised fund. 

—Thoughtful planning is especially important in light of the new floor on itemized charitable deductions. Starting in 2026, to be eligible for a deduction, a client’s qualified deductions must exceed 0.5% of adjusted gross income, essentially raising the threshold at which charitable giving produces a tax benefit. This could make it advantageous for some of your clients to “bunch” charitable contributions through a donor-advised fund, allowing the client to front-load donations into a single tax year to cross the threshold. 

—At the same time, under a “cap” provision in the new law, if a client is in the 37% federal income tax bracket, itemized charitable deductions are now capped at the 35% tax rate. In simplified terms, depending on other factors, this means that if a client donates $10,000, the tax break would be $3,500 instead of $3,700. In short, the floor and the cap add extra complexity to helping clients plan their charitable contributions. 

—The new tax laws have changed the landscape for not only your clients who itemize deductions but also for those who do not itemize. Non-itemizers are now eligible for an “above the line” deduction of $1,000 for single filers and $2,000 for joint filers. Be aware, however, that the new deduction for non-itemizers does not apply to noncash gifts or gifts to donor-advised funds. Because both noncash gifts and gifts to donor-advised funds are important tax planning tools for many clients, this limitation is worth noting in your discussions. 

—Finally, remember that donating appreciated stock held for more than one year is usually more tax-efficient than writing a check. That’s because it allows your client to avoid capital gains tax on the appreciation. What’s more, clients who itemize deductions will be eligible to claim a tax deduction for the full fair market value. 

Please reach out to IECF anytime. We know the new tax laws add a lot to your plate, and we are always happy to point you in the right direction as you conduct research and offer counsel to your clients. And remember, you don’t have to jump headfirst into the complexity during your client discussions. Even talking about philanthropy in the simplest terms can help strengthen your client relationships and grow your practice.

Please reach out to our Charitable Giving Team anytime. Stay up to date on all the good work we’re doing through the power of philanthropy – sign up for our eNewsletter, Philanthropy Matters, today.

The team at IECF is honored to serve as a resource and sounding board as you help your clients build their charitable plans and pursue their philanthropic objectives for making a difference in the community. This newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, accounting, or financial planning advice. Please consult your tax or legal advisor to learn how this information might apply to your own situation.

The post Wake up call: OBBA changes and client conversations appeared first on IECF.

It’s worth briefly reviewing the basics of a CLAT because they are having a moment! Here’s what’s going on:

–The Internal Revenue Service issued Private Letter Ruling 202614004 on April 3, 2026, addressing whether a CLAT can be terminated early by accelerating its remaining payments to charity. 

–The ruling involved a CLAT that so significantly outperformed expectations that the trustee proposed distributing all remaining annuity payments in a lump sum to a donor-advised fund, and then winding down the trust. 

–The IRS concluded that this early termination would not trigger self-dealing penalties, would not be treated as a taxable expenditure, and would not result in a termination tax—largely because the payment was made to a qualified public charity and fulfilled the trust’s charitable purpose.

Of course, as is the case with all private letter rulings, PLR 202614004 represents the IRS’s non-precedential interpretation of tax law and is binding only between the IRS and the specific taxpayer who requested the ruling. Still, private letter rulings are often cited to show the IRS’s probable position.

So why is this seemingly obscure private letter ruling relevant as an indicator of the IRS’s likely position in similar future situations? Here’s why:

–CLATs are generally subject to private foundation rules, including strict prohibitions on self-dealing with “disqualified persons.” In this instance, however, the IRS emphasized that a public charity (including a donor-advised fund sponsor) is not considered a disqualified person for these purposes, allowing the accelerated payment without adverse consequences.

–PLR 202614004 highlights that charitable planning vehicles like CLATs may offer more flexibility than previously assumed, particularly when circumstances change or when a trust significantly outperforms projections. What’s more, the ruling reinforces the importance of understanding how technical rules—such as self-dealing restrictions—apply differently depending on the type of charitable recipient involved.

Charitable lead trusts are extremely complex and can be structured in different ways to achieve a client’s specific tax objectives. Still, as you work with charitably inclined clients, keep an eye out for a scenario that may be well-suited for a charitable lead annuity trust:

–The client, whose net worth is likely to be subject to estate tax, owns rapidly appreciating assets (such as pre-IPO stock).

–The client wants to transfer significant wealth to heirs in a tax-efficient way.

–The client wants to make immediate and meaningful charitable gifts while they are living.

A client like this could establish a CLAT and name a donor-advised fund at IECF as the income beneficiary. The CLAT would make fixed annual payments to the donor-advised fund for a term of years. The donor-advised fund, in turn, could support the client’s favorite charities via the client’s grant recommendations. 

At the end of the trust term, any remaining assets in the CLAT would pass to the client’s children or other heirs, often without triggering additional gift or estate tax, assuming the trust was structured properly and investment performance meets or exceeds IRS assumptions.

For clients who want to enjoy charitable giving during their lifetimes and reduce estate and gift taxes on highly appreciating assets, a CLAT is worth a look.

Remember that a CLAT is just one of hundreds of charitable giving vehicles through which IECF can help your clients achieve their charitable and estate planning goals. As always, please reach out to the IECF team when working with a charitable client, regardless of where that client is along the charitable giving journey. 

Please reach out to our Charitable Giving Team anytime. Stay up to date on all the good work we’re doing through the power of philanthropy – sign up for our eNewsletter, Philanthropy Matters, today.

The team at IECF is honored to serve as a resource and sounding board as you help your clients build their charitable plans and pursue their philanthropic objectives for making a difference in the community. This newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, accounting, or financial planning advice. Please consult your tax or legal advisor to learn how this information might apply to your own situation.

The post Rare but useful: Planning with charitable lead trusts appeared first on IECF.

But what happens to charitable assets in the event of divorce? Over the last few years, in the wake of high-profile divorces, more and more advisors have been pondering this question. It’s certainly worth considering so you can be prepared if–and likely when–you encounter such a situation. It’s especially important as women play an increasingly important role in a couple’s philanthropy. 

For many couples, philanthropy is deeply personal and closely tied to shared values developed over time. What’s more, advisors who engage both partners on all planning matters, including charitable giving, are more likely, according to research described in a recent white paper, to grow their practices and earn client referrals. 

But from a legal standpoint, charitable giving during marriage is not purely personal—it is often subject to the same rules that govern other marital assets. In community property states, for example, assets acquired during marriage are generally considered jointly owned, and spouses owe fiduciary duties to one another regarding the use of those assets. That framework can create complications when one spouse makes a significant charitable gift without the other’s knowledge or consent. Indeed, unilateral gifts of community property may be challenged, and in some cases, the full value of the gift may be attributed back to the donating spouse in a divorce proceeding. This may be a surprising outcome for clients who assume that charitable intent alone resolves any questions about ownership or control.

The implications extend beyond outright gifts. Philanthropic vehicles such as donor-advised funds, private foundations, and charitable trusts can also become points of negotiation in divorce. These structures may no longer be considered part of the marital estate once funded, but questions about control, governance, and ongoing advisory privileges can still create tension between spouses.

For attorneys, CPAs, and financial advisors, the takeaway is clear: charitable planning does not exist in a vacuum. Conversations about significant gifts—especially those made during marriage—should include coordination with legal counsel and, where appropriate, documentation of mutual intent. Encouraging clients to align on charitable decisions in advance can help avoid disputes later and preserve both financial and philanthropic goals.

As always, remember that IECF is here for you! Whether a client is considering a current gift, establishing a charitable vehicle, or navigating a complex life transition such as divorce, IECF can serve as a resource to help implement the recommendations of legal and tax counsel in a way that is both effective and durable. Anytime you are talking with a client about charitable giving, give us a call! Including IECF early in the conversation can help ensure that your clients’ charitable intentions are carried out smoothly, even when circumstances change. 

We look forward to working together! 

Please reach out to our Charitable Giving Team anytime. Stay up to date on all the good work we’re doing through the power of philanthropy – sign up for our eNewsletter, Philanthropy Matters, today.

The team at IECF is honored to serve as a resource and sounding board as you help your clients build their charitable plans and pursue their philanthropic objectives for making a difference in the community. This newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, accounting, or financial planning advice. Please consult your tax or legal advisor to learn how this information might apply to your own situation.

The post Calling it splits: What happens to charitable assets in a divorce? appeared first on IECF.

When Chuck passed away from Parkinson’s disease in April 2020, his family wanted to honor his legacy in a lasting way. In 2024, his wife, Pat, established the Charles “Chuck” Brinker Scholarship Fund at IECF, using a qualified charitable distribution from her IRA. The fund is designed to award up to $10,000 annually to graduating Ramona High School or Riverside Unified School District students pursuing a degree in math or a math-related field.

“College was important in our house,” said Karen, one of Chuck’s daughters. “It wasn’t if you went to college, it was when you went to college. And knowing that was how my dad felt, it’s a huge factor in this scholarship because he wanted other kids to have that option as well.“

The Brinker family made their first award in 2025. The inaugural recipient is Gavin McGowan, a Ramona graduate now studying Civil Engineering at UC Berkeley.

Gavin is exactly the kind of student the Brinker family had in mind: driven, community-rooted, and ready to make the most of his education. And there is one more connection that simply could not be scripted. Chuck was not only a math teacher; he was also a skilled carpenter who built furniture, bookcases, and a playhouse for his own family. Gavin, too, is a woodworker and is using those talents to benefit his community.

In his thank-you letter to the Brinker family, Gavin wrote:

To the family of Mr. Chuck Brinker,

From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank you for this scholarship and the opportunities that it opens up for me. I am proud to be at UC Berkeley, representing Ramona and the entire Inland Empire. I am so proud of where I’m from and the people from my area who do great work like this. I know that Chuck was an amazing math teacher at Ramona, and I am excited to tackle the math in Civil Engineering at Berkeley and show these kids that Ramona math prepared me well. I also know that Chuck was quite the woodworker, as am I. I am currently the construction quality control officer for a woodworking competition team at Cal, Timber Strong, where we just finished building a playhouse for an elementary school in Oakland. Getting this scholarship took the burden of working off my shoulders for this year, and for that, I am eternally grateful to be able to take advantage of all these opportunities. This is all to say that I am so proud and grateful to have received this scholarship, and from such great people. I will not let you or our city down!

IECF is proud to administer the Chuck Brinker Scholarship Fund and honored to watch its first award go to a student who carries forward so much of what Chuck valued: a love of math, a talent for building things, and deep roots in the community he called home.

We are also saddened to share that Pat Brinker passed away on March 27, 2026. Pat was the driving force behind this scholarship, and her generosity will continue to open doors for Inland Empire students for years to come. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Brinker family and celebrate the enduring impact of everything she set in motion. The family welcomes donations in memory of Pat to the scholarship fund.

Students can apply for the Chuck Brinker Scholarship and other IECF scholarships through our Common Application Portal. If you are interested in establishing a scholarship fund of your own, contact the IECF Charitable Giving team at 951.241.7777 or giving@iegives.org.

Stay up to date on all the good work we’re doing through the power of philanthropy – sign up for our eNewsletter, Philanthropy Matters, today.

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The post A Teacher’s Legacy, a Student’s Future: Meet the First Chuck Brinker Scholar appeared first on IECF.

The Brinker Family

As we celebrate Pat’s remarkable life, we invite you to leave a comment, a memory, a shared story below.

Pat Brinker was a devoted wife, mother, teacher, and volunteer who believed that education could change the course of a young person’s life. She once shared with us that, on paydays, as she was on her way home from teaching, she would stop at the bank and make a deposit into her daughters’ college fund. It was never a question of whether Shelly, Karen, and Kristen would go to college; it was just a question of when. Pat and her husband Chuck, also a teacher, knew not every student had that kind of head start. She never forgot that there were students with the potential to go far, but no clear path to get there.

Pat grew up in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, earned a degree in English from Gettysburg College, and then traveled to Japan and Germany, teaching overseas and building a life far from home.

She met Chuck in Germany, where he was a fellow teacher with the Department of Defense overseas program. They came back to the States, married in 1972, and settled in Riverside. Chuck taught math at Ramona High School for 28 years. Pat raised their three daughters, became an active PTA parent, then returned to teaching after earning a master’s in special education, closing out her career leading a high school teen mom program. As teachers, the Brinkers fully understood what education can do for a young person who needs a door opened.

When Chuck faced a 30-year battle with Parkinson’s, Pat shouldered the weight of his care. He passed away in April 2020, but the pandemic made a traditional memorial impossible at that time. A few years later, Pat clipped and saved an article in the Press Enterprise that mentioned IECF as a resource for people looking to establish scholarships and funds in the community. Then, about six months later, she picked up the phone and spoke with Claudia Preza, CSPG, IECF’s Charitable Giving Officer for Riverside. Pat chose to honor Chuck’s life by creating something permanent: a scholarship fund at IECF.

In our early conversations with Pat about the fund, she told us about Chuck’s deep connection to his students. “Way deep down, he had this great love for Ramona and for the kids who went there,” she said. “He saw the potential. There were really great students there, and a lot just were unable to attend college. A scholarship seemed like a very appropriate memorial.”

Pat had spent years on the college-bound and scholarship committees at the Assistance League of Riverside, reading student applications and thinking carefully about what a scholarship should actually do for a student. “When I look at my grandson and what it’s probably going to cost for him to go to college, $1,000 is really not very much,” she said. “For somebody who really needs it, it’s just not enough.”

Working with Claudia, Pat designed the Charles “Chuck” Brinker Scholarship Fund to award up to $10,000 annually to Ramona High School and Riverside Unified graduates pursuing degrees in mathematics or math-related fields, with the possibility of renewal throughout a student’s undergraduate years. She funded it through a qualified charitable distribution from her IRA, and she appreciated that IECF worked with her to design a fund that reflected exactly what she had in mind.

Gavin McGowan, the first Charles “Chuck” Brinker Scholarship recipient

In 2025, the fund made its first award. Gavin McGowan, a Ramona graduate, is now studying Civil Engineering at UC Berkeley with help from the Charles “Chuck” Brinker Memorial Scholarship.

It’s worth noting that Chuck was also a skilled carpenter outside the classroom. He built furniture, bookcases, and a playhouse for his own kids. In a very special turn of events, we learned that Gavin is a woodworker, too. He serves as the construction quality control officer for Timber Strong, a Cal woodworking competition team that just finished building a playhouse for an Oakland elementary school.

Gavin wrote to the Brinker family after receiving his award. He said, in part: “I am so proud of where I’m from and the people from my area who do great work like this… I will not let you or our city down.”

Claudia had the opportunity to read that letter to Pat over the phone, connecting her to the immediate impact of the gift.

Pat passed away on March 27, 2026, at the age of 86. She is survived by her daughters Shelly, Karen, and Kristen; sons-in-law Matt and Jon; and three grandchildren, Nicholas, Kaitlyn, and Owen. It is our great honor to steward the Charles “Chuck” Brinker Scholarship Fund, ensuring that both Chuck and Pat are remembered for their enduring impact and the pathways they’ve created for Inland Empire students.

“Pat was an inspirational IECF donor and she became a friend,” says Claudia. “I take great pride in having worked with her to shape this scholarship. She cared deeply about Ramona High School and its students. Pat thoughtfully recognized the unique value of a renewable scholarship. She understood this scholarship could give students the stability to focus on their education. Carrying her vision forward, alongside her daughters, is a responsibility we hold with great care and gratitude.”

To make a donation in Pat’s memory, visit this link, where you may also leave a note for the family. To learn how to establish a scholarship or legacy fund of your own, contact our Charitable Giving team at 951.241.7778 or giving@iegives.org.

We invite you to share your fond memories of Pat. To ensure this space remains a supportive environment, all reflections are reviewed by an IECF administrator before they appear. This brief pause helps us protect the integrity of our community and the privacy of the family.

The post Remembering Pat Brinker appeared first on IECF.

When Chuck passed away from Parkinson’s disease in April 2020, his family wanted to honor his legacy in a lasting way. In 2024, his wife, Pat, established the Charles “Chuck” Brinker Scholarship Fund at IECF, using a qualified charitable distribution from her IRA. The fund is designed to award up to $10,000 annually to graduating Ramona High School or Riverside Unified School District students pursuing a degree in math or a math-related field.

“College was important in our house,” said Karen, one of Chuck’s daughters. “It wasn’t if you went to college, it was when you went to college. And knowing that was how my dad felt, it’s a huge factor in this scholarship because he wanted other kids to have that option as well.“

The Brinker family made their first award in 2025. The inaugural recipient is Gavin McGowan, a Ramona graduate now studying Civil Engineering at UC Berkeley.

Gavin is exactly the kind of student the Brinker family had in mind: driven, community-rooted, and ready to make the most of his education. And there is one more connection that simply could not be scripted. Chuck was not only a math teacher; he was also a skilled carpenter who built furniture, bookcases, and a playhouse for his own family. Gavin, too, is a woodworker and is using those talents to benefit his community.

In his thank-you letter to the Brinker family, Gavin wrote:

To the family of Mr. Chuck Brinker,

From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank you for this scholarship and the opportunities that it opens up for me. I am proud to be at UC Berkeley, representing Ramona and the entire Inland Empire. I am so proud of where I’m from and the people from my area who do great work like this. I know that Chuck was an amazing math teacher at Ramona, and I am excited to tackle the math in Civil Engineering at Berkeley and show these kids that Ramona math prepared me well. I also know that Chuck was quite the woodworker, as am I. I am currently the construction quality control officer for a woodworking competition team at Cal, Timber Strong, where we just finished building a playhouse for an elementary school in Oakland. Getting this scholarship took the burden of working off my shoulders for this year, and for that, I am eternally grateful to be able to take advantage of all these opportunities. This is all to say that I am so proud and grateful to have received this scholarship, and from such great people. I will not let you or our city down!

IECF is proud to administer the Chuck Brinker Scholarship Fund and honored to watch its first award go to a student who carries forward so much of what Chuck valued: a love of math, a talent for building things, and deep roots in the community he called home.

We are also saddened to share that Pat Brinker passed away on March 27, 2026. Pat was the driving force behind this scholarship, and her generosity will continue to open doors for Inland Empire students for years to come. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Brinker family and celebrate the enduring impact of everything she set in motion. The family welcomes donations in memory of Pat to the scholarship fund.

Students can apply for the Chuck Brinker Scholarship and other IECF scholarships through our Common Application Portal. If you are interested in establishing a scholarship fund of your own, contact the IECF Charitable Giving team at 951.241.7777 or giving@iegives.org.

Stay up to date on all the good work we’re doing through the power of philanthropy – sign up for our eNewsletter, Philanthropy Matters, today.

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If you’ve ever found yourself wondering whether you’re giving to the “right” organizations, you are not alone. This is where IECF can help.

One of the most valuable roles IECF plays is serving as a trusted, knowledgeable partner in your philanthropy. Our team works closely with nonprofit organizations across the region and maintains a deep understanding of the issues shaping our community. This allows us to provide more than just options—we can offer context. For example, if you’re interested in supporting a particular cause, we can share insight into how that issue is affecting our community right now, which organizations are actively addressing it, and where additional support could make a meaningful difference.

In addition to offering perspective, IECF can also assist with due diligence. While many organizations are doing excellent work, it’s natural to want reassurance that your gifts are being used effectively and in alignment with your intentions. Our team can help review organizations’ missions, programs, and governance practices, and provide guidance based on our experience working with nonprofits of all sizes and focus areas. This can be especially helpful if you are considering supporting an organization that is new to you or responding to a timely or urgent need.

For many donors, this combination of insight and due diligence leads to greater confidence—not just in individual gifts, but in their overall approach to philanthropy.

Just as importantly, working with IECF can help you step back and think more strategically about your giving. Rather than approaching each donation as a separate decision, you may find it helpful to consider how your gifts fit together over time. Are there certain causes you’d like to prioritize? Would you like to balance immediate needs with long-term impact? Are there opportunities to involve your family in the process?

These are the types of conversations IECF is here to support. Whether you prefer to remain hands-on in selecting organizations or would like help narrowing your focus, our team can tailor our approach to fit your preferences and goals.

The result is not a rigid plan, but a more confident and informed path forward.

Philanthropy is personal, and there is no single “right” way to give. But having a trusted partner can make the process feel more manageable—and more meaningful. IECF is honored to work alongside you, helping ensure that your generosity is guided by both your values and a clear understanding of how to make the greatest impact.

Please reach out to our Charitable Giving Team anytime. Stay up to date on all the good work we’re doing through the power of philanthropy – sign up for our eNewsletter, Philanthropy Matters, today.

The team at the community foundation is honored to serve as a resource and sounding board as you build your charitable plans and pursue your philanthropic objectives for making a difference in the community. This newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, accounting, or financial planning advice. Please consult your tax or legal advisor to learn how this information might apply to your own situation.

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