A recent CNBC article about year-end tax strategies offers a timely reminder to review your financial picture before December 31. Charitable giving can be an important part of that process, particularly when you match your philanthropic goals with the right assets and giving strategies.

Here are five examples of how a simple change in approach might help you accomplish more with your charitable dollars.

If you’re thinking, “I want to give to charity, but I usually take the standard deduction,” consider making a qualifying cash gift.

Beginning in 2026, taxpayers who don’t itemize deductions may be eligible to deduct up to $1,000 in qualifying cash contributions, or $2,000 for married couples filing jointly. This creates a new opportunity to receive a federal income tax benefit for gifts to eligible charities, even without itemizing. Contributions to donor-advised funds do not qualify for this particular deduction, but IECF can help you identify eligible charitable organizations and giving opportunities that align with your interests.

If you’re thinking, “I’d like to make a significant charitable gift, but I’m not sure which organizations to support yet,” consider a donor-advised fund.

Perhaps you’ve experienced an unusually high-income year or simply want to set aside a meaningful amount for charity. A donor-advised fund at IECF lets you make an irrevocable charitable contribution now, potentially receive a tax deduction in the year of the gift, and recommend grants to qualified charities over time. This approach can be especially useful if you’re considering combining several years of charitable giving into one year for tax planning purposes, particularly in light of the new rule limiting itemized charitable deductions to contributions exceeding 0.5% of adjusted gross income. Meanwhile, you can take more time to decide which causes to support.

If you’re thinking, “I want to make a gift, but I don’t want to sell my investments,” consider giving appreciated stock.

Suppose you’ve owned shares of a publicly traded company for several years and they’ve increased substantially in value. Rather than selling the shares and donating the proceeds, you might consider transferring the stock directly to a charitable fund at IECF. Depending on your circumstances, donating long-term appreciated securities directly to charity may allow you to avoid recognizing capital gains on the appreciation, potentially avoid other tax consequences associated with selling the securities, and qualify for a charitable income tax deduction. IECF can work with you and your advisors to coordinate the transfer and help you support your favorite charitable causes.

If you’re thinking, “I have to take money out of my IRA anyway,” consider a qualified charitable distribution.

If you’re age 70½ or older, you may be eligible to make a qualified charitable distribution, or QCD, directly from your IRA to an eligible charity. A QCD is generally excluded from taxable income and can count toward your required minimum distribution if you have one. Although QCDs cannot be made to donor-advised funds, IECF can help you explore other eligible funds and charitable giving options. This strategy may be particularly attractive if you want to support charity without increasing your adjusted gross income through an IRA withdrawal.

If you’re thinking, “I want my charitable giving to continue long after I’m gone,” consider a gift through your estate plan.

You don’t necessarily have to make a substantial gift during your lifetime to establish a lasting charitable legacy. For example, you might name IECF as a beneficiary of a retirement account and direct the gift to a particular charitable fund, include a charitable bequest in your will or trust, or establish an endowment to support a favorite cause over time. IECF can help you explore arrangements that reflect your charitable priorities while working with your legal and financial advisors to ensure your plans are properly documented.

Of course, these are just a few examples. Your personal financial circumstances, charitable interests, and long-term goals will determine which approaches make the most sense.

The important thing is to recognize that charitable giving doesn’t have to follow a one-size-fits-all formula. Whether you’re making a modest annual contribution, considering a gift of appreciated assets, or planning a charitable legacy, there may be opportunities to structure your giving in ways that support both your financial goals and the causes you care about.

IECF is always happy to help you explore the possibilities. Before the year comes to a close, consider reaching out to discuss what you’re thinking about accomplishing through charitable giving. Together with your tax, legal, and financial advisors, we can help you turn those intentions into a thoughtful plan.

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 If you’re thinking that, consider this: Five charitable giving ideas for year-end appeared first on IECF.

Consider the founders of Anthropic, the artificial intelligence company. In an essay earlier this year, CEO Dario Amodei confirmed that the company’s co-founders have pledged to donate 80% of their personal wealth from the company to charitable causes. As Inc. reported, that pledge covers all seven co-founders. With the company’s potential valuation reaching extraordinary heights, the commitment could eventually translate into substantial charitable resources. The founders’ approach reflects a desire to use business success to address significant societal challenges.

But this spirit of generosity isn’t limited to the founders of multibillion-dollar companies.

Another recent Inc. article on a new generation of founders highlights entrepreneurs who are building charitable giving into their businesses from the start, following the example of Newman’s Own. Actor Paul Newman co-founded the company with author A.E. Hotchner, and 100% of its after-tax profits go to charitable purposes through nonprofit ownership.

One example is WellWithAll, a health and wellness company that commits 20% of its profits to initiatives addressing health equity. Another is Two Blind Brothers, an apparel company founded by brothers Bradford and Bryan Manning. For years, the company directed its profits to organizations supporting people affected by blindness, and this year, according to Inc., it became a 501(c)(3) public charity modeled on Newman’s Own. These businesses illustrate how entrepreneurs can make charitable giving a defining part of their companies’ missions, even without the financial resources of a technology giant.

Of course, you don’t have to own a business to make a difference. Nor do you need to commit a particular percentage of your wealth to charity. Whether your charitable resources come from a successful business, retirement savings, an inheritance, appreciated investments, or simply money set aside from your annual budget, there are opportunities to make an impact.

That’s where IECF can help.

For example, a business owner preparing to sell a company might explore contributing a portion of the business interest to a charitable fund well before a sale is agreed, subject to appropriate legal and tax planning. Business owners may also want to explore ways to build giving into the company itself, not just their personal finances. A donor-advised fund can provide a flexible way to support favorite charitable organizations over time while involving family members in giving decisions.

Meanwhile, a donor with more modest resources might establish a fund to support a favorite local cause, contribute to an existing community foundation fund, or make gifts over several years to help build lasting support for an organization or community need. Donors can also explore gifts through their estate plans, allowing them to make a meaningful charitable commitment while preserving financial resources during their lifetimes.

The common thread is that philanthropy is not defined by the size of a gift. What matters is the intention behind it and the difference it can make.

IECF works with individuals, families, and businesses with a wide range of charitable goals and financial circumstances. Whether you’re considering a significant gift following a business transaction or simply looking for a more intentional way to support the causes you care about, we’re here to help you explore the possibilities.

You don’t have to build a billion-dollar company to leave a lasting charitable legacy. IECF is honored to be your home for charitable giving, whether you are investing $250, $25,000, or $25 million to improve our region’s quality of life.

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 From billionaires to small business owners: Entrepreneurs are giving back appeared first on IECF.

National Philanthropy Day, observed November 15, has been recognized in the U.S. since 1986.

Community Foundation Week, an annual observance recognizing the work of community foundations across the country, is set for November 12 – 18 this year.

GivingTuesday, a global generosity movement, occurs on December 1 this year. (Americans gave $4.0 billion on GivingTuesday 2025, up 13% from the year before!)

Philanthropy takes many forms, and IECF is honored every single day to work with so many individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit organizations to improve quality of life in our region. Whatever your favorite cause, IECF is here to help you achieve your charitable goals.

Take a moment to reflect on all the ways you give back, from volunteering and serving on nonprofit boards to establishing a donor-advised fund or another type of fund at IECF to organize your charitable giving. You’re making a difference!

As you contemplate your “philanthropy portfolio” during this year’s giving season, you might consider expanding your community impact by making an unrestricted gift to IECF, or even establishing an unrestricted fund. An unrestricted fund lets you entrust charitable dollars to IECF’s board of directors and professional staff, who determine how best to use those resources to address the community’s changing needs. Depending on how the fund is structured, it can support the community today and for generations to come.

Consider a few frequently asked questions about unrestricted funds:

Why invest in IECF through an unrestricted fund?

• Major advantages of IECF include its perpetual structure, community-based governance, and commitment to addressing the community’s changing needs. An unrestricted fund allows you and your family to provide support that evolves over time as priorities in the region shift.
• IECF’s mission is to thoroughly understand the community and improve lives within it.
• IECF’s board and professional staff continually assess community needs and work with local organizations to identify opportunities for impact.
• Establishing an unrestricted fund means you are investing in IECF’s ability to address today’s most pressing needs and those we can’t yet anticipate.

What are the steps to establish an unrestricted fund?

IECF’s professional staff will work with you to create documentation that establishes your unrestricted fund. Notably:

• You may name the fund whatever you’d like.
• You may add assets to the fund during your lifetime. In the alternative, or in addition, you may wish to make arrangements in your estate plan for the fund to receive a bequest from your will, trust, or beneficiary designation following your death.
• As is the case with other contributions to community foundation funds, lifetime gifts to your unrestricted fund generally qualify for an income tax charitable deduction, subject to applicable tax rules and limitations. Qualifying charitable bequests to the fund may also be eligible for a federal estate tax charitable deduction.

How is an unrestricted fund administered?

• When you establish an unrestricted fund at IECF, you are engaging the foundation’s board of directors and professional staff to use the money in the fund to achieve the greatest impact for the community for the long term.
• Every day, the team at IECF works with members of our board of directors, civic leaders, and nonprofit organizations to deeply understand where people need help.
• Today, the most pressing needs might be for emergency assistance in response to a disaster. Tomorrow, the need could be for education, youth services, research to improve access to healthcare, or something else entirely.
• Your community foundation has its finger on the pulse of the community’s top priorities and works with local partners to identify the best ways to address them.

Ways to make an unrestricted gift

You can certainly give cash to establish your unrestricted fund or make an unrestricted gift to IECF. Here are other options that may be more tax-advantageous:

• Giving stock or other long-term appreciated assets directly to IECF can be more tax-efficient than selling them, incurring capital gains tax, and giving the proceeds.
• If you’re 70½ or older, you may be able to make an unrestricted gift to IECF or an eligible unrestricted fund through a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) made directly from your IRA.
• Naming IECF as a beneficiary in your will, trust, or IRA, and directing the gift to an unrestricted fund, is another way to create a lasting legacy.

As always, please consult your estate planning and tax advisors to learn how each type of gift may or may not apply in your own situation.

Whether you would like to move forward with an unrestricted gift in the near future, or simply would like to learn more, please reach out! Our team is always here for you. Most of all, thank you for all you do on National Philanthropy Day, during Community Foundation Week, on GivingTuesday, and every day to make our community a better place!

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 Expanding your impact: FAQs about unrestricted funds appeared first on IECF.

Fortunately, charitable giving doesn’t have to be a separate conversation. In fact, some of the most productive charitable planning discussions begin with a question you’re probably already asking:

“How did your life change in 2026?”

Listen carefully to a client’s answer to this question. Does the client mention retirement? Unexpectedly high income? A new grandchild? Joining a favorite nonprofit’s board of directors? These are just a few examples of developments that can create opportunities for charitable planning. Here’s how:

Retirement

If a client mentions retirement, you could ask: “Do you plan to get more involved with your favorite causes?” This opens the door to helping the client plan for their charitable giving over the next few years, and perhaps even updating an estate plan or beneficiary designation to include a charitable gift through their estate plan to a donor-advised fund at the community foundation or another charitable organization. What’s more, a discussion about retirement is a natural lead-in to helping clients age 70½ or older explore the benefits of Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from their IRAs. QCDs can’t go to donor-advised funds, but they can support other funds at the community foundation, such as field-of-interest or unrestricted funds. Reach out to the community foundation for more information about QCDs.

High income

If a client mentions that their income was higher this year than expected, it makes sense to ask: “Are you considering increasing your charitable giving?” If the client says yes, you can provide more detail on year-end planning techniques that could help your client achieve their philanthropic goals alongside financial goals. In many cases, the community foundation offers tools and resources to help achieve these goals, so please reach out to our team.

Growing family

If a client tells you about a new grandchild, you could ask: “As your family grows, have you thought about ways to pass along your values and philanthropic priorities to the next generation?” You can go even deeper by suggesting that a donor-advised fund at the community foundation can provide a structure for involving family members in giving decisions, supporting favorite causes together, and passing along philanthropic values. The team at the community foundation regularly works with families across generations to make a difference in the community. Please loop us in; we are here to support you as you serve your clients.

Expanding community involvement

If a client tells you about joining a nonprofit’s board of directors, you could ask: “Does this new role change how you think about your charitable giving plan?” If the client says yes, the easiest thing to do is suggest bringing the community foundation into the conversation. “The community foundation is a terrific resource and sounding board for anything related to philanthropy,” you can say. “I’ll reach out to my contact at the community foundation and suggest that the three of us jump on a 15-minute call or Zoom next week.”

As always, the community foundation is happy to help. Whether you’re looking for ideas to start a conversation, exploring a particular charitable planning strategy for a specific client, or anything in between, we’re here to serve as a resource for you and your clients.

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 A single question makes it easy to help clients with year-end charitable giving appeared first on IECF.

Women are playing an increasingly influential role in wealth management, and new research suggests that advisors have an opportunity to strengthen relationships by paying closer attention to what female clients want from financial advice. According to Vanguard’s 2026 Women & Wealth Study, 76% of women feel confident making financial decisions, and women rank educational and collaborative as their top two preferred communication styles from a financial professional.

Meanwhile, a recent AdvisorHub article highlights the growing importance of planning that connects financial decisions with broader goals as women assume greater responsibility for family wealth.

For advisors, charitable giving offers a particularly effective way to build these relationships. Philanthropy can open conversations about personal priorities, family dynamics, and long-term goals that might not otherwise emerge during a traditional financial planning meeting.

Here are three suggestions for incorporating charitable giving into your approach to working with women clients.

Ask about charitable interests before introducing charitable planning tools.

Rather than beginning with tax deductions, donor-advised funds, or charitable trusts, consider asking what causes matter most to your client and what she hopes her giving will accomplish. Perhaps she has a longstanding relationship with a local nonprofit, wants to address an emerging community need, or is interested in supporting a cause that reflects her personal experiences. These conversations can help you better understand her priorities before recommending a particular strategy. The community foundation can be a valuable resource, offering insights into local charitable organizations, community needs, and giving opportunities that align with your client’s interests.

Make charitable planning a collaborative process.

Research suggests that women value financial expertise while also wanting to participate actively in decisions. Indeed, InvestmentNews reported on a Nationwide survey finding that although 95% of women investors believe their advisors treat them with the same respect as male clients, nearly one-third reported experiencing patronizing explanations of financial concepts. Charitable planning provides an opportunity to demonstrate a more collaborative approach. Consider presenting several giving options, explaining the advantages and limitations of each, and inviting your client to help shape the strategy. Whether she is evaluating a gift of appreciated stock, establishing a donor-advised fund, or considering a charitable provision in her estate plan, the community foundation can join the conversation to help explore options and answer questions.

Use philanthropy to engage the entire family.

A recent Fortune article highlights how younger members of billionaire families are pushing their parents and grandparents to accelerate charitable giving and embrace more innovative, impact-driven approaches to philanthropy, including addressing systemic problems, empowering communities, and making a difference during donors’ lifetimes rather than waiting to distribute wealth through their estates.

Charitable giving can also provide a natural opening for conversations about family relationships and the transfer of wealth and values across generations. For clients who want to involve children or grandchildren in philanthropy, a donor-advised fund or another charitable fund at the community foundation can offer a practical framework for making giving decisions together. These conversations may be especially valuable when a woman assumes greater responsibility for family financial decisions after retirement, an inheritance, or the loss of a spouse. Indeed, building relationships before major wealth transitions is essential. The community foundation can help families explore shared charitable interests, develop giving traditions, and create opportunities for multiple generations to participate.

Of course, every client is different, and charitable giving should always reflect an individual’s interests and goals rather than assumptions based on gender. The larger lesson from recent research is that women want advisors who listen, provide expertise, and recognize their role as informed financial decision-makers.

By incorporating philanthropy into these relationships, advisors can gain a deeper understanding of what matters to their clients while helping them translate their values into meaningful charitable action. The community foundation is always happy to serve as a resource, working alongside you and your clients to explore opportunities for charitable giving that support both financial and personal goals.

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 Women and wealth: Strengthening relationships through charitable planning appeared first on IECF.

What’s more, philanthropy is becoming central to wealth management, especially as $18 trillion is expected to flow to charitable causes over the next few decades of generational wealth transfer, according to Cerulli Associates, creating opportunities for advisors to connect financial planning with clients’ values, family relationships, and legacy goals.

So—are you bringing your “A game” to this opportunity? Here’s a quick three-part “start, stop, and continue” tune-up to help you enhance your work with charitable clients.

Start asking what clients want their giving to accomplish.

It can be tempting to begin a charitable planning conversation with tools like donor-advised funds, charitable trusts, QCDs, appreciated stock, and the tax benefits associated with each. But new research suggests that starting with the “why” may be more important.

The 2026 Study of the Philanthropic Conversation from The Philanthropic Initiative (TPI) found a few eye-opening gaps between what advisors think motivates high-net-worth clients and what clients themselves say. Advisors, for example, ranked “being an inspiration for others” as the most common motivation for giving, cited by 51%. Among clients, this factor ranked only 11th out of 12 motivations, at just 24%. In addition, advisors were nearly twice as likely as clients to identify reducing taxes as an important motivation—40% versus 21%. Clients instead put making an impact, feeling good about giving, and giving back at the top of the list.

If you aren’t already doing so, start your charitable conversations with a question: “What would you like your charitable giving to accomplish?”

The answer may lead to a tax strategy, a particular giving vehicle, a family conversation, or something else entirely. As always, the team at the community foundation is honored to be your first call as a charitable giving resource. We can help you explore what matters to your client and then work with you to identify charitable strategies that fit.

Stop steering clients toward “too good to be true” charitable giving arrangements.

A few months ago, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and IRS issued final regulations identifying certain abusive charitable remainder annuity trust (CRAT) arrangements as “listed transactions,” triggering disclosure requirements for certain participants and their advisors.

The specific type of transactions targeted by these regulations generally involve transferring appreciated property to a purported CRAT, selling the property, using the proceeds to purchase a single premium immediate annuity, and then misapplying tax rules in an effort to avoid ordinary income or capital gains taxes. The IRS emphasized that it will continue to scrutinize these arrangements and that failure to comply with required disclosures may result in penalties.

“I doubt I’ll ever set up a CRAT in my entire career,” you may be thinking. Which may absolutely be the case! The point is that CRAT regulations are just one example in a long line of situations where the IRS has cracked down on abusive charitable giving arrangements. If you are ever tempted to implement trendy and aggressive techniques, stop. Pausing for a moment to call the community foundation for a gut check may be a wise move to protect your clients and protect yourself.

Continue bringing the family into the conversation.

Here’s something you may already be doing—and the latest research offers a compelling reason to keep doing it.

The same 2026 TPI study found that 95% of advisors believe discussing philanthropy is important for building relationships with clients’ extended families, up from 71% in 2018. Clients see the value, too: 78% of high-net-worth clients said including extended family members in philanthropic conversations is important. And there is a business-development benefit. Eighty-eight percent of advisors said philanthropic conversations deepen existing client relationships, while 92% said they help establish new relationships.

Meanwhile, ultra-high-net-worth Americans (those with a net worth of $30 million or more) donated approximately $107 billion to charity in 2025, according to Altrata’s High Net Worth Philanthropy 2026 report, as reported by InvestmentNews—reflecting the growing importance of philanthropy in wealth management and estate planning. The same TPI study also reveals a disconnect between clients and advisors: 75% of high-net-worth clients say they would be more likely to select an advisor who is knowledgeable about philanthropy, yet only 45% of advisors say they discuss philanthropy with most of their clients, according to InvestmentNews. As younger generations inherit significant wealth and embrace charitable giving, advisors who incorporate philanthropy into their practices may be better positioned to strengthen client relationships and retain families across generations.

So keep talking about philanthropy—and look for opportunities to widen the conversation. A discussion about the causes a client cares about can provide a natural, low-pressure way to bring children and grandchildren into the room, learn what matters to them, and begin building relationships across generations.

The community foundation can help here, too. Whether the goal is involving the next generation, establishing a family giving tradition, or simply helping clients articulate what they want their philanthropy to accomplish, we’re happy to join you in the conversation. We look forward to hearing from you!

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 “Start, stop, and continue”: Your charitable advising tune-up appeared first on IECF.

Dear Imperial Employee Scholarship donors,

I am writing to sincerely thank you for awarding me the Imperial Scholarship. I am incredibly grateful for your generosity and for the support you have shown toward my education and future goals.

Receiving this scholarship means a great deal to me. Pursuing higher education is an important step toward building the future I hope to have, and your support will help make that journey more manageable. This scholarship will allow me to focus more of my time and energy on my studies while reducing some of the financial challenges that come with attending college.

I am especially grateful to know that an organization like yours is willing to invest in students and encourage them to pursue their goals. Your generosity is more than financial assistance, it is a reminder that hard work, dedication, and education are valued and supported by the community. I will carry your support with me throughout my educational journey and beyond.

Thank you again for your belief in my potential. I am honored to be a recipient of this scholarship and truly appreciate the difference your organization is making in my life. With sincere gratitude,

Jocelyn Betancourt

Students can apply for IECF scholarships through our Common Application Portal. If you’re 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 Imperial Employee Scholarship Program Fund: Inspirational values and community support (Dear Donor Series) appeared first on IECF.

The Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF)

With $1.025 million in financial support from U.S. Bank, this program will provide critical financial assistance to first-time homebuyers, helping to close the region’s widening wealth gap and create opportunities for generational financial security.

Breaking Barriers to Homeownership

For many families, the biggest obstacle to purchasing a home is the down payment and closing costs. With home prices skyrocketing—rising from a median of $267,000 in 2014 to $580,000 in 2026— the dream of homeownership has become increasingly out of reach. A decade ago, 62% of Riverside County households and 73% of San Bernardino County households could afford an entry-level home. By early 2025, those figures had dropped to 40% and 49%, respectively.

To help bridge this affordability gap, the Inland Empire Down Payment Assistance Program will provide up to $40,000 in financial aid to qualifying first-time homebuyers. This assistance will come in the form of a deferred zero-percent loan for 30 years, meaning homeowners won’t have to make payments during that time, allowing them to focus on building equity and financial security.

A Collaborative Effort for Lasting Impact

IECF has partnered with NPHS and NHSIE to implement and manage the program, offering not just financial support, but also pre-purchase counseling, community outreach, and partnerships with local stakeholders.

“Homeownership helps families build stability and work toward long-term security,” said Rockette Ewell, community affairs manager at U.S. Bank. “That’s why we are continuing our work with the Inland Empire Community Foundation to provide down payment assistance that helps make homeownership more accessible and supports families as they take this important step.”

IECF President and CEO Michelle Decker echoed the importance of this initiative, emphasizing its potential to transform lives and strengthen the region’s economic health.

“For many families in the Inland Empire, the dream of owning a home feels increasingly out of reach,” said Decker. “Through our continued relationships with U.S. Bank and NPHS, we’re helping families overcome financial barriers and build a stronger future for themselves and their children. We’re proud to bring this program back and expand opportunities for homeownership in our region.”

NPHS President and CEO Clemente Mojica added, “Affordable homeownership can change a family’s future for generations. Through the Inland Empire Down Payment Assistance Program, in partnership with IECF, we’re helping first-time homebuyers overcome financial barriers, build lasting stability, and create generational wealth. Together, we’re making homeownership more attainable and strengthening communities across the Inland Empire.”

Kailin Scott, CEO & Executive Director, NHSIE, reflected on opportunities created at the intersection of philanthropy and the private sector. “This support from the Inland Empire Community Foundation and U.S. Bank turns the hope of homeownership into a real path for working families across San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Down payment assistance is often the last barrier between a family who has done everything right and the keys to their first home. For more than 40 years, NHSIE has walked alongside Inland Empire families through counseling, education, and financing. This partnership lets us open more doors, build lasting wealth in our neighborhoods, and show what’s possible when philanthropy and the private sector support their own region.”

How to Apply

The Inland Empire Down Payment Assistance Program is now accepting applications. First-time homebuyers who meet eligibility requirements can learn more and apply by visiting nphsinc.org/iedpa.

With strategic partnerships and innovative financial solutions, IECF, NHSIE, and NPHS are working to help more families in the Inland Empire achieve the dream of homeownership—a key step toward financial security and community prosperity.

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The post Homeownership Within Reach: Inland Empire Families Can Now Get Up to $40K in Down Payment Assistance appeared first on IECF.

Dear Donors of the Cultivating Inland Empire Latino Opportunity (CIELO) Scholars Fund,

I would like to sincerely thank you for your contribution to not just my academic journey but to the other scholarship recipients as well. Thank you for your kindness and generosity.

With your donations you are investing into the careers of our communities’ future Latino leaders and I applaud you for that.

As someone that comes from a low income household, receiving this scholarship will not only help lessen my financial stress but it also serves as a reminder that my hard work is recognized and supported.

I hope that you can continue to donate in order to support other students like me.

Once again from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Ivan Mendez-Perez

Students can apply for IECF scholarships through our Common Application Portal. If you’re 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 CIELO Scholars Program: Investing in the Future of Latino Leadership (Dear Donor Series) appeared first on IECF.

July 16, 2026

Dear Donors of The Safe Schools Scholarship Fund,

Thank you very much for your generosity in providing me with a Safe Desert Cities scholarship! This money will help me pay for housing at California State University Fullerton, where I will be studying Biology.

I am not only grateful for this scholarship it helps me financially, but also because of the moral support I feel from Safe Schools for students in the LGBT community. I received such positive feedback at the award ceremony and also at the Pride Prom. What a wonderful group of people.

I believe my wish to someday help the LGBT community in the scientific and/or medical field helped me get this scholarship, and it is people like you that inspire me to do this.

Sincerely Yours,

Francesco Konopka
Twentynine Palms High School Class of 2026

Students can apply for IECF scholarships through our Common Application Portal. If you’re 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 Safe Schools Scholarship Fund: Encouraging a Future in Science and Service (Dear Donor Series) appeared first on IECF.