Through personal narratives, photography, archival materials, and community voices, the exhibition highlights the importance of visibility, inclusion, and empowerment throughout the Inland Empire.

As part of our partnership with CRIISC, the Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF) is proud to support awareness and engagement around this meaningful exhibition and the work of the Out in the IE LGBTQ+ Empowerment Fund, which helps strengthen and uplift LGBTQ+ organizations, initiatives, and community leadership throughout the region.

We encourage everyone to visit the exhibition and experience these important stories firsthand. For more information about the exhibition, visiting hours, and upcoming programs, please visit CRIISC’s website.

To learn more about the Out in the IE LGBTQ+ Empowerment Fund and ways to support LGBTQ+ empowerment across the Inland Empire, please visit Out in the IE LGBTQ+ Empowerment Fund.

 CRIISC OUT IN THE IE LGBTQ+ EMPOWERMENT FUND

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Michelle Decker, President & CEO, addresses the Regional Wildfire Resilience Task Force Convening

The Inland Empire deserves a foundation that is strong, steady, and always here for the region we serve.  We’re focused on leading the way in addressing the big issues that face our community – today and for generations to come. This is the vision behind our Here for Good Fund, and a commitment we renew every day.

Every dollar invested in this fund strengthens IECF’s role as a regional leader and trusted partner. This fund is vital to our work, enabling us to be a powerful force for lasting, positive change across our region. It’s what allows us to build nonprofit strength and spark innovation, raise awareness of local needs, and mobilize resources to meet them.

IECF’s leadership team celebrated our Professional Advisor Champion in Palm Springs

Our Role as a Regional Anchor

The work of a community foundation is unique and essential. Across the country, there are over 900 community foundations that act as permanent charitable engines for their regions, bringing people together to tackle long-term challenges and seize opportunities.

For the Inland Empire, this means IECF is deeply committed to community leadership and establishing a resilient regional presence. We wear many hats: we’re grantmakers, conveners, researchers, and advocates for our people. We name disparities where needed and highlight the voices and leadership already active in our neighborhoods. When you support the Here for Good Fund, you’re investing in the very infrastructure that allows us to show up, listen, and act with and for the people who call the Inland Empire home.

A Powerful Opportunity to Double Your Impact

This giving season, your generosity can go even further. Amazon will match contributions to the Here for Good Fund, dollar for dollar, up to $100,000.

The Amazon matching opportunity is designed to strengthen IECF for this critical work. By helping us reach this match goal, you are building the capacity we need to apply the Vital Conditions Framework, invest strategically in our local nonprofits, and ensure that our team can remain forward-thinking and responsive to regional needs. This is a powerful opportunity to double your impact and help build a stronger, more resilient Inland Empire for all.

Join us in standing Here for Good for our people, our nonprofits, and our shared future. Side by side, we can ensure that the Inland Empire remains a place where generosity thrives and every resident has the opportunity to succeed.

Stay up to date on all the good we’re doing through the power of philanthropy. Subscribe to our monthly eNewsletter, Philanthropy Matters.

The post Standing Strong and Here For Good: Investing in IECF for the future of the Inland Empire appeared first on IECF.

“We had to figure out how to provide telecare services,” said Kraig Johnson, Executive Director of the organization. “And at the time, we had lost a considerable amount of income through insurance reimbursement for those services. So, like many organizations, we were challenged.” 

A grant from Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF) through the Robert and Cheryl Fey Donor Advised Community Fund changed everything.  

“Those resources helped us find support for all the programs hugely impacted by pandemic,” Johnson said. 

The organization’s programs are extensive, in fact, particularly counseling services, which assist individuals, adults, couples, families, children, adolescents, and seniors.  

Telecare was a great addition, but “people want to come back to the office now,” Johnson said. “And I find that kind of a sign of the community’s health. So, these funds were integral into helping us convert our services into telecare, whether it be helping with purchasing of more appropriate telecommunication devices, computers, better phones, etc.  

“And then traveling phones,” he added. “A lot of our therapists are still working remotely.” 

Other Jewish Family Service of the Desert programs stand out. One, in particular, focuses on community outreach. 

“The goals of this program are to reduce/eliminate isolation, specifically among our local seniors,” Johnson said. “We have a program called Let’s Do Lunch. It’s usually twice a month, and it’s a two-hour program that includes some sort of education, which helps our seniors.” 

Various “games” are tossed into the mix, too. These are designed to cleverly enhance cognitive challenges. 

“We’re trying to keep our seniors’ cognition as fresh as possible,” Johnson said. “We also administer a quarterly geriatric depression scale to check in on their mood. It’s a very well-rounded program that, again, would not have been able to continue without IECF support.” 

Another unique component is Cafe Europa, which is very similar to Let’s Do Lunch, yet it’s specifically geared for local Holocaust survivors. 

Johnson also notes the Friendly Visitor program, which offers a unique one-on-one approach to help reduce isolation. This takes place between volunteers and clients, and includes a call tree, which was formed during the pandemic when programs were shuttered. These weekly calls can range from five to 15 minutes. 

“Our volunteers who run the program have gotten to know some of these clients, and oftentimes, we see that we’re the only outreach or outlet for them,” Johnson said. “Other parts of their lives have been watching TV or talking to the cat, and it can be, at times, an unhealthy existence.” 

Another case management program truly stands out.  

“We’re the only agency in the Valley for a number of years now, since the closing of the United Lift program, where they were providing support for overdue rent, utilities, food, and medications,” Johnson said.  

Individuals interested in learning more about the organization or perhaps becoming a patron, can visit the group’s website, which also list calendar events, tributes, information about food distribution for those in need, and other resources. 

“When it comes down to us, and really any other 501c3 programs down here, it’s the communities and the people who need us and depend on us, who suffer if we have to suspend or close programs,” Johnson said. “IECF and its donors are really generous with so many agencies, not just ours, obviously, but the support we received was significant.  

“It wasn’t 200 bucks,” he added. “It was significant support that allowed us to literally keep the lights on. Talk about meaningful and well-timed.” 

Learn more at jfsdesert.org. 

This story originally appeared in the Desert Sun, June 2025.

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A tall and attentive doodle helps a homeowner pick up a newspaper that’s just been delivered and landed on the lawn. A yellow lab patiently waits for its human owner to provide a directive. A standard poodle graciously eases into the role of a PTSD service dog for a military veteran.

These are but a few glimpses into the lives of support animals and their owners, which Canine Support Teams has matched up. The Murrieta-based nonprofit sprang to life in 1989 and has offered specially trained dogs to persons with disabilities to support their social, personal, and occupational independence.

A recent grant from Inland Empire Community Foundation through the Riverside County ARPA Fund will allow the organization to use those resources for a variety of initiatives.

“The grant is so beneficial to our mission,” said Darryl Howard, CEO of Canine Support Teams. “We’re all in a competency program. We start with puppies. We have the puppy raising program, which is 16 to 18 months.”

“After that, the program goes into advanced training, then the service animal is placed with the client,” he added. “The grants we receive help in all of those stages—anything from purchasing the puppy to the food to veterinarian bills to housing when they are on the facility in between the training aspects.”

To that end, the nonprofit’s work is both noble and empowering.

More than a half-dozen programs reach various individuals with varying needs. The organization’s Service Dog arm places service dogs with disabled clients who may be affected by any number of disabilities—from multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy to traumatic brain injury and military-related post-traumatic stress disorder.

Pawz For Wounded Vets also stands out. The program provides assistance dogs to men and women who serve or have served the country. 

Yet another unique offering is the Prison Pup Program. Its mission is to “positively impact the lives of select prison participants.” These individuals are chosen to serve as training partners. 

Other programs, such as the Facility Dog Program, which provides assistance dogs to various facilities that have a significant impact on vulnerable populations, showcase the nonprofit’s significant reach.

Howard has been CEO of the organization for about eight months after many years of involvement. He praises the volunteer program, which allows individuals to get become more deeply involved with the work at hand. 

Puppy Raisers, for instance, is a key program, linking dogs with people. The program is a 15- to 18 month-long commitment in which the puppy raiser takes their assigned pup nearly everywhere they might like to go: movies, restaurants, stores.

Even vacations, in fact. The idea is to expose the animal to all the things they could encounter as a working service dog. This instills confidence.

“It’s an incredible experience because what happens is the puppy raisers and sponsors often literally sign up immediately after they release their puppy,” Howard said. “They’re just right in line for the next puppy. And it changes their life because they know the outcome. They know the impact, the end result, and what that’s going to be.

“It’s a full circle reward,” he added. “We have puppy raisers and sponsors who are on their 10th or 12th or 14th puppy for our organization. It’s just incredible that they give themselves and they give their time to be a part of the program.”

Howard invites those interested in the program, or in volunteering in some way, to visit the nonprofit’s website.

Learn more at caninesupportteams.org.

This article originally appeared in the Press-Enterprise, April 2025.

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If you’ve not yet wrapped charitable giving provisions into your will, trust, and financial plans, it’s never too late (or too early) to do so. IECF is happy to work with you and your legal, tax, and wealth advisors to set up charitable giving structures and processes that align with your intentions to support favorite charities and causes, as well as reinforce the tax and estate planning objectives you’ve set in motion.  

Indeed, formalizing your charitable intentions can bring a deep sense of purpose. By incorporating charitable giving into your estate plan, your values and philanthropic commitments can continue beyond your lifetime.   

What’s more, lifetime charitable giving can be part of a strategic wealth management plan, allowing you to optimize your financial resources while supporting causes you care about. For example, charitable income tax deductions for your donations may reduce your taxable income and lower your annual tax bill. Plus, donating appreciated assets, such as publicly-traded stock held for more than one year, can help you avoid capital gains taxes. In addition, dollars flowing to charities following your death can help minimize the burden of estate taxes. 

IECF team would be honored to help you develop a philanthropy plan, starting with lifetime giving and incorporating estate gifts as your legacy intentions take shape. As you consider whether the time might be right for you to formalize your charitable giving, here are three tips to consider–all of which IECF can help you achieve: 

Give to what you know. Most people experience the greatest joy from giving to causes that are personally familiar. Personal experience makes it easier to understand how the charity is using your dollars. So, for example, if you’ve had experience with helping foster children, you are likely to understand how the organization is using your donation to support training for foster parents. Please ask IECF team for insights! It’s our job to keep up with the good work of charities that are meeting local needs.  

Give where you are. Even with the increasing number of community challenges across the country and the globe, sometimes the greatest needs are right here at home. IECF team can help you identify opportunities to support local charities by gathering information about the overall need and how a particular charity addresses that need. When you give to local organizations, you are in a strong position to have confidence in your gift. 

Give to the causes you love. Donations to charities that are aligned with your own passions make you feel the best and ultimately make the most difference because you’re likely to continue giving. IECF team is here to help bring your community dreams to life through the power of philanthropy. And that feels great!  

If you’ve already established a donor-advised fund or other type of fund with IECF, or if you are considering getting started with IECF this year, we are here for you! IECF is honored to serve as your home for charitable giving. Our team looks forward to hearing from you. 

Please reach out to our Charitable Giving Team any time, and 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 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 Make a plan–and make your favorite charities part of it appeared first on IECF.

Even bigger than that, though, is the opportunity to educate your kids, starting at an early age, about charities and how every dollar can make a difference.

Here are a few pointers: 

Be intentional. Teaching children the value of charitable giving requires intentional strategies that blend financial education with empathy-building experiences. By including philanthropy as a regular part of your family routines and traditions, you can help your kids understand wealth as a tool for positive impact rather than just personal gain. Over time, you’ll see that this approach fosters both financial literacy and compassion for others. 

It starts with money–and more. It’s often helpful to start the conversation by talking about money management and community needs, side by side. For example, you can explain how $100 might feed a family for a week, or how $1,000 could fund educational supplies for an entire classroom. You could even help your kids create a “giving budget” so they can practice ways to make their intentions visual and concrete. If you have established a donor-advised fund or other type of fund at IECF, log in to your account and show your kids how it works.   

Offer choices. Most kids don’t like to be told what to do (!), so it’s important to empower children by showing them how to research and pick causes that are aligned with their interests. IECF’s website is a great place to start. This is where kids can see the big picture of how charitable giving connects to our region’s quality of life, as well as learn about IECF’s priority initiatives and the nonprofits doing important work on the ground every day.  

Get out and about. Children (and adults) learn by doing, so try to find opportunities for hands-on involvement. You and your kids could volunteer together at food banks, organize neighborhood donation drives, or create handmade items for those in need. IECF is always happy to offer resources that will help you and your family find volunteer opportunities that are a good fit for your areas of interest and the ages of your children.  

As always, IECF is happy to be your sounding board as you get your family involved in charitable giving. We are honored to work with all generations of community-minded people! The future of our region depends on it, and we are here to help. 

Please reach out to our Charitable Giving Team any time, and 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 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 Many happy returns: How to help your kids celebrate charitable giving appeared first on IECF.

Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF), which recently received $4.5 million from Hoff’s estate, the largest of its kind in the foundation’s history, will distribute the endowed gift, noting that it will have significant impact on the Coachella Valley community for generations. 

Hoff, a trailblazing philanthropist, dedicated her life to charitable causes, including arts and culture, education, and environmental protection. Her legacy now lives on through The Jane Lykken Hoff Endowment Fund, which will support four organizations the philanthropists deeply cared about: the Palm Springs Historical Society, the Palm Springs Public Library Foundation, PBS SoCal, and the College of the Desert Foundation.

“Jane probably didn’t know that, at the time that we are receiving her funding, there is a critical nursing shortage, not just in the state of California, not just locally, but across the nation,” says Catherine Abbott, College of the Desert Foundation Executive Director. “This investment will ensure that students who are enrolled in our nursing program will have the financial resources that they need to reach that finish line, which is graduation.”

“Jane’s contribution couldn’t have come at a more impactful time,” she adds.

Abbott is quick to note that within the veterans’ population, veteran students come to College of the Desert, often navigating a brand new world.

“Finances are their biggest hurdle to success,” she stresses. “Some of them are working full-time, but it’s hard for them to do school full-time. This is another wonderful gift and investment that will hopefully alleviate some of the working hours for our veteran students so that they can focus on their studies.”

In addition to providing scholarships to veterans and nursing students at the College of the Desert, the endowment will benefit programming offered by the Palm Springs Historical Society, the Palm Springs Public Library Foundation, and PBS SoCal.

In a statement from Katherine and Greg Hough, executors of Jane Lykken Hoff’s estate, the duo shared: “Jane believed in the power of community. This gift ensures that her passion for giving back will continue to inspire future generations. We are excited to see the positive impact this funding will bring to our region.”

Meanwhile, Abbott is eager to keep things moving forward at the ever-expanding College of the Desert. 

“I think that the Foundation really has a rich history with this community and with this college,” she says. “And we have, in my opinion, a really solid reputation in promising to do with our donor funding what they have directed us to do.”

When asked what she felt most people might not realize about the College of the Desert Foundation, Abbott noted that the Foundation was formed 40 years ago to support students at College of the Desert.

“We now have nearly $65 million in assets, and we’ve grown exponentially in the past four years since I have been here,” she says. “I think that really goes to show the level of confidence that our donors have in this Foundation, with the leadership, and knowing that our reputation is strong and that we serve a diverse population of students who mainly stay here in the Valley. They are first-generation, so they’re navigating a brand new world, something that their parents are not necessarily familiar with.”

“We’re trying our level best to do what we can to help strengthen the economic infrastructure of the Coachella Valley for years and generations to come,” she adds.

Learn more at codfoundation.org.

This article originally appeared in the Desert Sun, November 2024

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Seiden-Juku’s CFO Maxwell Lifschutz and CEO Sensei Tamara Canedo-Lifschutz

Inland Empire Community Foundation grant empowers innovative nonprofit

Sensei Tamara Canedo-Lifschutz of Seiden-Juku in La Quinta receives a lot of bows from her students. That bow, known as “rei,” indicates a sign of respect and reverence for the teacher or the area in which karate takes place, the dojo.

But the founder of the successful nonprofit that provides adaptive karate instruction for individuals with disabilities cannot deny the deep respect and awe she holds for the students she’s instructing.

“Ninety percent of the parents in our organization have come to me and told me, ‘I had a doctor that told me my son will be in a wheelchair the rest of his life,’ or I have a daughter that’s in a walker and wears braces and they said that this will be my child’s life,’” Canedo-Lifschutz says. “I’ve had students who come into my dojo who were autistic, nonverbal, and they’ve gone to speech therapy their whole life. But through our doors, miracles happen by building confidence in these individuals.

“They learn they have the power to achieve what they set their mind to,” she adds.

It’s all part of the stellar upward success of Seiden-Juku, which went from having a handful of students when it launched several years ago to welcoming more than 120 today. The nonprofit is also benefitting from a recent grant from Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF) through the Fred Stebler and Eva V. Stebler Foundation Fund, which Canedo-Lifschutz admits has been somewhat of a miracle itself.

“For us, it’s mind-blowing to even receive grant approval because we’ve been a nonprofit for the last four years and we have had a 99 percent grant denial rate,” Canedo-Lifschutz says. “It helps us with getting uniforms, so that the individuals don’t have to be in just shorts and a shirt when they’re doing karate.”

Canedo-Lifschutz’s backstory is compelling. By all accounts, it’s rich material for a documentary filled with mission-driven accomplishments and serendipitous twists. Her father, who was the former the technical director for Team USA with the Olympic Committee, became an early source of inspiration.

“I was born and raised in a dojo,” she admits. “I was working at a financial institution before my dad passed, and a local priest by the name of Father John came into my dojo with a suggestion to work with people with disabilities. I was like, ‘Are you crazy? I’ve never worked a day in my life with individuals with disabilities. I don’t know how to do that. He’s like, ‘Yes, you do, you were born with a disability. “

Canedo-Lifschutz’s was born with deformed feet, quickly noting, “My dad never treated me like a para-athlete. “I competed my whole life as a neurotypical athlete.”

DJ Paul Villalobos, Steven Benito, & Sensei Tamara Canedo-Lifschutz

Soon enough, Father John introduced Canedo-Lifschutz to two athletes with disabilities. Things blossomed from there.

Savannah Torres

“We’ve had students who have gone from nonverbal to verbal. We have blind students who could get lost in a room to learning awareness and knowing where they are by realizing they have somebody who’s 10 feet away. We’ve also been able to get our athletes in competitions.”

One of them was the recent Coachella Valley Para Karate Tournament, held at Rancho Mirage High School, which garnered attention and attracted more students.

Donations help cover fees

Canedo-Lifschutz says the organization does not charge a fee to its athletes. “Uniforms, exams, and everything they need, we cover,” she says, “but we could have never gotten all that covered if it wasn’t for the grant to community.”

Individuals interested in donating can visit the nonprofit’s website, or IECF donors including those with Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) are invited to contribute to the organization. Contact giving@iegives.org to get started.

In the meantime, the exercise component of martial arts and the mental stress release itself provides multiple health benefits for students. Seiden-Juku’s instructors include special breathing techniques along with activities that boost the heart rate. Emerging from these participations, Canedo-Lifschutz says, is an improvement in the self-esteem of students, regardless of age.

She also adds that the combination of mental and physical components of karate give students an opportunity to sharpen their focus, control, and simply release energy and emotions.

“I’m almost on eight years now specializing working with individuals with disabilities,” Canedo-Lifschutz shares. “I have blind athletes, athletes with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, those who are in a wheelchair, and students with epilepsy. I love seeing what can be achieved through building true confidence.”

Learn more at seidenjuku.org.

This story originally appeared in the Desert Sun, October 2024.

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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Brian and Lori, The Matterhorn

From trekking through the surreal landscape of Joshua Tree National Park to hiking 100 exhilarating miles in the Swiss Alps, Brian and Lori Rennie have spent 25 years with a shared appreciation for the majestic outdoors. Together, they’ve run a successful business, explored the world, and kicked off retirement by establishing a nonprofit that invites others to understand and steward the magnificent desert they now call home.

While Brian’s adventures began at a young age as part of a backpacking Boy Scout troop, Lori’s Chicago upbringing offered mostly city views, cloudy skies, and snowy days until she moved to California in 1987. When she met Brian, he was an avid and accomplished rock climber who had honed his skills in Joshua Tree. In this remote and otherworldly terrain with its unusual, spiky trees and mighty boulders, Lori learned to view the desert through Brian’s eyes. Unlike snowcapped mountains and sparkling beaches, the desert “has a subtle beauty,” Lori says.  “But once you’ve discovered it you see it everywhere.”

Brian studied marine biology at Cal State Fullerton, but his career path took a surprising turn at the end of his graduate studies. “I decided I didn’t want to do marine biology, I wanted to open my own business,” Brian says. “My education provided me with the ability to think logically and do research, so even though I didn’t have any previous experience I taught myself everything I needed to know.” Brian founded Benchmark Studios, a successful commercial design company in Anaheim.  The couple married in 2003, ran the business together, and retired in 2013. They now live full-time on their 20-acre property at the entrance of Joshua Tree National Park, where Brian built an expansive Santa Fe-style home in 1994.

Soon after relocating to Joshua Tree, the Rennies hosted a party to get to know members of their community. A conversation with one of the guests, then-superintendent of Joshua Tree National Park, Mark Butler, served as the launch pad for Lori’s passion project, Joshua Tree Residential Education Experience (JTREE). Butler asked Lori what she intended to do during retirement. She replied, “Well, I’m not sure, but I love kids and I love this park.”

That connection was the impetus to establish a nonprofit offering outdoor education within the park. Today, JTREE provides field trips, overnight camping experiences and other programming for elementary students. Lori’s earlier background in corporate business has served her well in establishing a partnership with the National Park Service, building the infrastructure of the nonprofit, and obtaining significant initial grants needed to offer programming. Future plans include establishing a campus within the park, but JTREE’s board is careful to consider the impact a permanent location might have on the precious land and its inhabitants, which range from desert tortoises to bighorn sheep.

The Rennie home

“We’re honored to be a part of exposing youth to the beauty of the desert and its importance in our world,” says Lori. “Joshua Tree is an underserved community, and as surprising as it might seem, some of these children who live here have never even been into the park.” She cites the innate value of getting kids involved in outdoor activities like hiking. “It brings them confidence, it helps them achieve things they never thought they could. They’re challenging themselves physically and mentally, and they learn to see their backyard as more than dirt and rocks.”

Lori tells the story of elementary students who were part of a JTREE pollinators program. Kids raised ladybugs, butterflies and praying mantis, but when it came time to let them go some of the children wanted to keep their insects, housed in little plastic cups, as pets. “The teacher asked them to think about what it would be like to be in one small place, with nowhere else to go. Or what it would be like to set their little friends free to roam from flower to flower, pollinating and making the world more beautiful. It was the perfect lesson about our role in the ecosystem and how we can make things better by caring well for the creatures who share our planet.”

While Joshua Tree National Park is a tourist destination for millions or a second home for part-time residents, Brian and Lori have planted roots in the community and are committed to helping their neighbors prosper. After pledging a planned gift to Brian’s alma mater, the Rennies wanted to explore other opportunities to leave a legacy that supports the park and the academic pursuits of local residents.

Lori was acquainted with IECF because of her nonprofit work. “I liked what the Foundation was doing and the broad reach we could have through a fund with IECF,” she tells us. In 2023, the couple established the Brian and Lori Rennie Legacy Fund to offer outdoor education for local students and provide scholarships for Morongo Basin residents who are focused on STEM studies.

Through their philanthropy, Brian and Lori hope to enlighten others about the desert’s fragile but incredible splendor while encouraging like-minded people to give back locally. “By partnering with a regional foundation like IECF,” Lori says, “we’re protecting something valuable, supporting the community that has given us so much joy, and making it possible for future generations to enjoy and be stewards of this desert treasure.”

Lori and Brian Rennie with IECF staff, Brie Griset Smith, CSPG (L), Chief Development Officer, and Celia Cudiamat (R), Chief Impact Officer

Brian adds, “Many people leave their estate to their family. For us, it makes sense to help the people who need it most. We like the idea of giving someone a stepping stone toward a better future.”

Brie Griset Smith, CSPG, Chief Development Officer for IECF, applauds the Rennie’s generosity and the example they’re setting. “Brian and Lori are an inspiration,” she says. “They’re inviting people to go out and see the world around them, to be in awe, and to participate in a meaningful way. It’s a privilege to be a part of their story as they pave the way for new citizen scientists and help preserve the incredible land around us.”

If you would like to learn how you can leave a legacy and support causes close to your heart – today and beyond your lifetime – contact our Charitable Giving Department at giving@iegives.org.

The post Desert Inspiration: The Brian and Lori Rennie Legacy Fund appeared first on IECF.

Why Powerbuilding and Systems Change?

Powerbuilding is about creating and sustaining movements that empower communities to influence and reshape the systems that impact their lives. Systems change involves addressing the root causes of systemic inequities and working toward solutions that foster long-term justice and equality. The Black Equity Fund recognizes that real progress happens when communities have the tools, resources, and support needed to drive these changes from within.

Grants of up to $100,000 are available through the Black Equity Fund for Black-led and Black-serving organizations in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Applications are being accepted through September 13, 2024.

The Black Equity Initiative – Inland Empire (BEI-IE) and the Inland Empire Funders Alliance (IEFA) have established a Black Equity Fund, an effort to raise and grant $5 million over 2 years to Black led/Black empowering organizations in the Inland Empire region.

The Fund assists nonprofits that are focused on systems change and power-building work in the Fund’s priority areas of civic engagement, criminal justice transformation, housing justice, health equity, education equity and economic liberation.

Interested organizations can review grant guidelines, determine eligibility and submit their application here. All interested applicants should submit through the online portal as emailed applications will not be accepted.

Applicants with questions regarding their grant requests should send an email with the subject titled “Questions” here.

Together, we can build a more equitable and just region. Apply today and join us in shaping the future!

Stay up-to-date on the good work IECF is doing through the power of philanthropy. Sign up for our monthly eNewsletter, Philanthropy Matters.

The post New Powerbuilding & Systems Change Grant Opportunity Opens! appeared first on IECF.