A recent grant from Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF) through the Walt Whitman Endowment Fund will further help the youth as they consider broader education goals. The fund was established with IECF in 1994 to benefit activities that promote mutual tolerance and respect between the community at large and the gay and lesbian communities. 

Eric J. Ornelas, President of Safe Schools Desert Cities, said the grant will go into the nonprofit’s scholarship program, offering students unique financial opportunities. 

“The grant is a great benefit to us because it’s not just a one-time thing,” Ornelas said. “It arrives every year and helps us with planning. We can count on it, which helps our scholarship program.”  

The program stands out, in fact, for how well it provides a financial lifeline for LGBTQI+ youth in the region.  

“And it’s not just because of the financial help,” Ornelas added of the program. “It’s the affirmation of who they are, and that helps boost their confidence.”  

To be sure, the financial part of the program is appreciated, too. With college costs continually rising, financial aid lightens the burden. About 20 scholarships are offered here, including the Financial Assistance Award, which can be requested throughout the school year.  

There’s also the Burton/May Pride Award, which is administered by IECF from selections made by Safe Schools Desert Cities. The Pride award provides support for educational expenses for enrollment in an educational program following a student’s graduation from high school, vocational school, or training program, community college, or another university. 

“LGBTQI+ youth in our community have additional challenges that the general student body does not have,” Ornelas said. “We step in and offer these students support. One example is by supporting gay/straight alliance clubs that exist within the schools, offering them resources.” 

The nonprofit also produces events like Pride Prom, which unfolded on May 15. 

“We also have the Rainbow Youth Summit,” Ornelas added. “And a couple hundred students came to the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast [on May 14], which isn’t produced by Safe Schools, but we are one of the beneficiaries, and we arrange to have students from across the Valley attend that event, which is huge because there’s well over a thousand people there.” 

This includes the general public and a variety of Valley leaders—from elected leaders and business owners to non-profit peers.  

Ornelas has been with the organization for more than 10 years, initially coming on as a volunteer. 

“I actually started as a DJ,” he said, noting how the organization needed a DJ to work its first Pride Prom at the time. He joined the board in 2017 and became president in 2020. 

The non-profit’s website is extensive, offering a valuable list of resources and updates on events and other opportunities for youth. 

One of them is the 2026 Safe Schools Leadership & Empowerment Camp, which runs June 11-14 at a camp in the San Bernardino Mountains within hiking distance of Jenks Lake. The event is free, runs four nights, and offers a significant intention: it’s designed for high school students to strengthen leadership skills, boost confidence and resilience, and offer a community space in a supportive and inclusive environment. 

Activities can include everything from hiking, swimming, and archery to canoeing, a talent show, and daily campfires. 

“Events like that allow these students to recognise that they are not alone, that they have a community that is there to support them,” Ornelas said. “And that’s super important during this time when they get a lot of messages that are not particularly positive. In fact, those messages can be extremely negative. 

“We help communicate that and to remind youth that there’s nothing wrong with them,” he added, “and that they are perfectly worthy. We help encourage and support them so that they can become successful leaders in their own right.” 

Learn more at safeschoolsdc.org.

This story originally appeared in the Desert Sun, 2026.

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 post Grantee Spotlight: Safe Schools Desert Cities broadens opportunities for LGBTQI+ youth appeared first on IECF.

A recent grant from Inland Empire Community Foundation became a valued lifeline as the nonprofit hopes to further enhance the college journey of African American students. 

“We want to bring them closer when they go to college—not just to get to college, but to become competitive when they’re in college,” said Jalani Bakari, President and Chair of GLG. “And the best way to do that is to prepare them with opportunities to understand or navigate their route.” 

To that end, one of the activities the nonprofit recently hosted was the Academic Bowl, a popular event specifically designed to illuminate pathways to success in college and beyond. 

“All but one or two people were male [at the event],” Bakari said. “We were literally trying to teach these young men to learn how to navigate not only education in itself, but to navigate and to share information of history and community activities with each other. 

“These are young men who work in project impact, who will become teachers in our local schools, young men who are undergraduates in our local schools, and young men who are citizens, all between the ages of 18 and 32,” he added. “We we were able to use some of the grant funding to help our students, training them and working with them.” 

Collectively, GLG’s members and board are seasoned servant leaders. One of the nonprofit’s main goals is to improve admissions competitiveness for majors in engineering, science, medicine, mathematics, and business administration.  

Improving parents’ abilities to interact productively with various staff, representatives, and teachers within schools and districts attended by their own children​ is key. 

Advocacy and equity also factor into the mix. 

To that end, communicating and promoting African-American educational issues at the state, federal, and local levels of government becomes not only necessary but vital. This is yet another way the nonprofit can gain cooperation and commitment from public and private representatives to participate and support various programs implemented in the Inland Empire. 

Ensuring vibrant and equitable participation in the area’s educational activities at all levels is yet another part of the nonprofit’s reach. This helps eliminate equity gaps that emerge on different levels in the African-American student experience. 

“We value our deep exploration of knowledge,” Bakari said. “What I love most about being here is being able to actively share in our community—of growing it and planting the seeds of the future for our students 

“It’s just incredible,” he added. “I appreciate doing activities that help students initiate things and help them begin to share in their skills or activities, whatever they are.” 

Bakari directs individuals to the nonprofit’s website to peruse upcoming events and consider getting involved.  

For instance, the nonprofit works in collaboration with the Pi Rho Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., in various events such as food drives, clothes drives, and other service-related events benefitting the community. 

And mark your calendars: The Sigma ETA Chapter 50th Anniversary Celebration takes place April 11 at the Grand Taj Event Center.  Supporting the event helps GLG honor past contributions, highlight current impact, and inspire future programs in science for students others in underserved communities. 

Mid-year connections also await. GLG’s summer flagship program, the Fatherhood Initiative Camp Out (FICO), Fishing Fest, & Garrett Livingston Graham STEM Camp begins Friday, July 17, and runs through July 19 at Lake Hemet Campground. 

Learn more at glgscienceedu.org. 

This story originally appeared in the Desert Sun, 2026.

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 post Grantee Spotlight: IECF grant broadens opportunities for African-American students appeared first on IECF.

It’s yet another milestone for the Foundation and the fund, whose financial support will buoy the efforts of 22 organizations across the region. The annual grants will further expand support for housing, education, civil rights, and well-being in Latino communities across the area. 

“This year’s grantmaking is focused on moving resources where they can make a real difference for the residents of the Inland Empire,” said Jesse Melgar, IECF Board Chair and CIELO Fund founder and chair. “Surpassing $1.7 million in total investments since the CIELO Fund launched in 2022 reflects an intentional strategy by our leadership committee to back organizations that are meeting urgent needs and building long-term power and opportunity in every corner of our region.” 

He added that the groups the fund supports are “doing the hard work daily to expand access to health care, education, legal support, and economic opportunity. This is critical work at a critical time.”  

Overall, this round, the CIELO Fund’s total investment in grantmaking, research, narrative‑change efforts, and scholarships has resulted in more than 120 grants to nonprofits in 

Riverside and San Bernardino counties have received more than 300 scholarship awards to local students since it launched.  

“This happened because donors of all kinds, big foundations and local families alike, believed in the vision our Board set,” said Michelle Decker, President & CEO of IECF. “Their combined support through IECF has strengthened Latino-led and Latino-serving organizations across the region, and the Fund shows how powerful it is when a community invests in its own future.” 

Behind the scenes, CIELO Fund commissioned several reports from leading California universities to better understand the challenges facing the region, including its Latino residents.  

The latest report, which was partnered with UCLA’s Latino Policy & Politics Institute, revealed the underlying realities behind the numbers: how Latino workers drive the region’s economy yet continue to face persistent structural barriers. 

Angel Rodriguez, co-founder of the CIELO Fund, says that many people in the leadership committee are either from the Inland Empire and/or have established their careers in the region.                                                                                                                       

“I grew up here, went to school here, and built my career here,” Rodriguez said. “I know what it feels like when someone opens a door for you. CIELO is our way of opening more doors for students, families, and organizations across the Inland Empire.” 

That is essential on this side of the mid-2020s, when everything from federal funding cuts and divisive politics continues to be key issues to confront and surf through. 

“People are doing their best, but the cost of housing, food, health care, and education keeps getting harder,” Rodriguez said. “These grants support the local organizations people turn to when they need help, hope, or a path forward.” 

The 2026 grantmaking also included media partnerships to elevate positive regional narratives through original and effective programming. The CIELO Fund will continue to support KVCR’s IE Latino Voices segment which it helped co-design and launch in 2023. 

Additionally, the fund will continue supporting an innovative partnership with the LA Times’ Latino vertical, DeLos, to maintain special coverage of the IE. 

The 2026 CIELO Fund grantees include a vast array of vital nonprofits in the area. From Codex Creation Committee, which empowers communities by fostering educational opportunities in art, culture, health, and wellness, to Corona Relief Organization, an intrepid charity serving underserved communities with essential resources, the fund’s impact stretches far and wide. 

Other grantees include: Ives Torres Foundation, The Microenterprise Collaborative of Inland Southern California, Coachella Valley Parents, Danza Azteca Citaltonac, Rotary Club of Coachella East, Highlanders Boxing Club, and Casa Blanca Home of Neighborly Service. (Check the CIELO Fund page for a full list of grantees.) 

“The Inland Empire is full of talent, heart, and ambition,” Rodriguez said. “CIELO helps put resources behind the people already doing the work to make this region stronger.” 

CIELO’s support also reaches students directly. In 2026, 33 students applied for a CIELO scholarship, and every one of them will receive $1,500 to help pursue their degree. This is the fourth year in a row CIELO has been able to support every student who applied. In recent years, CIELO has provided $300,000 in scholarships to more than 200 Inland Empire students. 

“CIELO is about investing in people who are already doing the work,” Rodriguez said. “That includes local organizations serving our communities every day and students who are working hard to build a better future for themselves, their families, and our region.”

Learn more about the CIELO Fund at iegives.org/cielofund

This story originally appeared in the Press Enterprise, June 2026.

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 post Grantee Spotlight: CIELO Fund invests ‘in people who are already doing the work’ in the Inland Empire appeared first on IECF.

As the founder of IAMGIFTED Foundation, he’s helped steer the non-profit organization to great heights, primarily with its mission to help young people recognize their strengths, build confidence, and develop the needed skills to succeed in school, the community, and in life.

Mental health advocacy factors strongly in the mix at IAMGIFTED—the inspiration for the organization came from Mattison’s own battles with mental health. Thanks to a recent grant from Inland Empire Community Foundation, IAMGIFTED will enhance its emphasis on mental health awareness, ranging from suicide prevention to offering emotional tools for young people.

“We’re excited to have received the grant,” said Dr. Angela Brantley, Executive Director of IAMGIFTED Foundation, noting that the resources have helped with one of the nonprofit’s signature offerings, the Youth Empowerment Program. Specifically, funding a five-week Saturday program that the organization runs twice a year.

“The most recent one brought in 170 students, and the grant helped us enhance that program,” Brantley said. “Another thing we’re using the grant for is to host events and invite our guest students and their families to various outings.”

A recent jaunt allowed students to attend a sports event in a collaborative event dubbed “Awareness Night.” Brantley believes that inviting students and families to such experiences generates positive ripple effects in the community.

“It gives students an opportunity not only to participate in our on-campus learning, but to get out and have an experience outside of the school campus,” she said. “It helps them engage with the larger community and have experiences they may not have had, and all with the focus on mental health and engaging in some fun way.”

Brantley cites one example that found staff guiding students through various activities between the innings of a baseball game. A breathing exercise was introduced, followed by cues and reminders about the benefits of regulating one’s emotions through breathing techniques.

“We had kids compete with balloon breathing, where they win prizes,” Brantley said, noting one example. “It comes down to: how do you teach third, fourth, and fifth graders about mental health and awareness? How do you get them to understand healthy ways to regulate their emotions and all those things?”

“We try to make it fun and engaging and exciting,” she added.

To be sure, the organization has made an impact since its inception.

More than 4,200 people, including youth, families, and those involved in community programs, have been positively impacted by the organization’s work. More than $60,000 scholarships have been awarded.

The foundation’s Rush 2 Give program also stands out. The year-round community outreach initiative that provides essential resources through such things as back-to-school drives, holiday givebacks, and community events, has helped approximately 3,500 families.

Brantley, who has been with the organization since it launched, said the organization focuses on four key pillars: Youth Sports and Life Skills Development; Mental Health and Wellness; Education and Opportunity Access; and Family and Community Support.

The nonprofit team is solid, comprised of mentors, educators, and advocates deeply committed to children and families through education, resources, and community-building programs.

As the need for mental health support grows, the organization is expanding its focus to offer comprehensive Mental health resources, workshops, and subsidized services to, “ensure that no one walks this journey alone.”

“We’ve seen an uptick in mental health concerns over the last six to seven years,” Brantley said. “We’ve all had a common experience of trauma with the pandemic and that creates a significant impact for our youth and adults.”

The staff’s deep appreciation for connectedness shines through.

“We all love doing the work—for the community and for the kids, and seeing the smiles on their faces,” Brantley said. “But that we’re doing it as a family is special. My husband, my kids—Alex’s cousins—his aunties, his uncles, his parents, his brothers… we’re all on staff. We’re all the ones showing up on Saturday for the programs.

“We are very passionate about giving back to the community,” she added.

Learn more at iamgiftedfoundation.org

This story originally appeared in the Press Enterprise, May 2026.

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 post Grantee Spotlight: NFL running back Alexander Mattison’s Inland Empire-based nonprofit targets mental health support appeared first on IECF.

“The grant benefits us greatly, especially with our food pantry for food distribution,” said Gerardo Pulido, Executive Director of Casa Blanca.

The food pantry serves about 100 families on a first-come, first-served basis from 9-10 a.m. every Wednesday.

“We serve at least 80 families every Wednesday,” Pulido said. “We also have a monthly distribution service, where people come in once a month for emergency food. It’s like 300 participants during that month, and it’s very valuable.”

Grant funding also helped fund nonprofit events, most of which are free.

“These events help the community with many opportunities, even with something as simple as a backpack giveaway,” Pulido said, noting that in 2025, the organization gave away 500 backpacks to children in the community. The backpacks included, among other things, back-to-school supplies.

“Events like that offer a great resource,” he added. “Other local organizations attend and distribute items to the community. It helps locals remember that there are organizations here for them, not just us. It’s a collaborative mission.”

An annual turkey giveaway filters into the mix during the holiday season. Last year, the nonprofit distributed 150 turkeys, which was funded, in part, by grant resources.

Founded in 1957 by community members who realized a need for services that met basic needs, as well as education and outreach. The plan clicked and soon community-building activities were introduced. One of its main goals was to provide “neighbor-to-neighbor service.”

“I started as a volunteer, and I love to give back and get involved,” Pulido said. “I like to be here for my community. It feels good when you see the looks on people’s faces when they’re receiving the support that they need.”

Over time, Pulido noticed the nonprofit would benefit from having more volunteers.

“People needed a place to connect the people with specific types of services,” he said. “And I’m like, ‘What’s going on here? Why are we not providing what we should be providing.’ I wanted to know how we could improve because I just wanted to give back to the community.”

Other standouts within the nonprofit include Casa Blanca Elementary School. Riverside Unified School District has brought innovative STEM-integrated instructional practices into the school’s programming. The school includes three learning labs and three open-terrace learning spaces that create a valuable learning environment designed for hands-on, collaborative learning for students.

“I want people to know we’re here for them,” Pulido said. “I’m not sure many people know that we partner with many other organizations and that collectively, we’re here for the community. We want to build that trust with them, because I know how humbling it could be for someone who is in need and has never found themselves in a situation where they needed food.

“Those type of services, even medical services, and something like Cal Fresh are important, and we’re able to help people with all that, especially with any language barriers,” he added. “We have Spanish speakers here, so in that way, people won’t find themselves in a situation to where, like, ‘Oh, I don’t know if I want to go there, because I don’t know if they’re going to understand me.’”

Pulido encourages people to consider volunteering and also to abreast of the organization’s events calendar on its website. Coming up: Summer Movie Night on July 23.

“It feels good to help and comfort others,” Pulido said. “That’s the main mission—just to comfort one another.”

This story originally appeared in the Press Enterprise, May 2026.

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 post Grantee Spotlight: Foundation grant strengthens Casa Blanca nonprofit’s varied resources appeared first on IECF.

“We’re excited we can put some of these funds into field trips,” said Andrea Hecht, Executive Director at Tools For Tomorrow (TFT). “We recently did Desert X and we now have a partnership with the Herb Alpert Gallery, bringing kids there to experience the art. Extra funding is so important because it can go towards those particular trips and provide a space for kids to experience new things.”

The resources will also help develop the organization’s theater program—Hecht hopes students can experience Coachella Valley Repertory and other groups in the area.

TFT, which sprang to life in 1998 under founder Rachel Druten’s vision, uses qualified teaching artists to curate a professionally designed curriculum, creating standout lessons in the visual arts, creative writing, music appreciation, and theatre.

These free classes are held weekly at a school site after regular school hours. TFT provides all supplies—from books to musical equipment—and even snacks.

The nonprofit’s reach now stretches far and wide. All Coachella Valley elementary schools are eligible. Currently programs are set in Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Coachella, Bermuda Dunes, Desert Hot Springs, Indio, La Quinta, and Thousand Palms.

“Tools for Tomorrow gets children into safe spaces to explore their creative potential through hands hands-on art experiences,” Hecht explained. “We can use illustrated children’s books to inspire the children, for instance, and in that way, they learn more about artists, musicians, and writers.”

Students also have opportunities to do hands-on projects.

“Every child in the program gets an art kit,” Hecht added. “We also introduce high-end materials for projects like gel printing, model magic, oil pastels. It’s a great way for them to learn how to use all materials in their art kit— from painting to watercolor pencils.”

The nonprofit also inspires students with various artists, from musicians to writers, where they can take what they’ve learned and create their own hands-on projects.

“In that way, they can learn to express their feelings and connect with their classmates,” Hecht said. “They build community, and learn to work together, collaborating, especially in the theater programs. They also learn problem solving, and that it’s okay to make mistakes, and that nobody’s perfect.”

Understanding that taking risks can be a good thing factors into the unique learning mix here.

“They get to have a safe space to be kids and to have fun, creatively,” Hecht said.

This 2025-’26 school year found TFT reaching more than 1,200 students in the Coachella Valley in 22 schools. In fact, all 15 Palm Springs Unified School District elementary schools have benefitted from the program, alongside six Desert Sands Unified School District schools, and Coral Mountain Academy in the Coachella Valley Unified School District.

Hecht has been with the organization for 18 years. She says she loves visiting classrooms and being a witness to the excitement students share.

“It’s a joy to notice the energy around doing the projects,” she said. “It’s remarkable to watch them, hear the stories, see the pictures, and witness them learn, step by step. I went into one classroom where they were going to do a collage with different colored papers. In this case, they were inspired by bees.”

One student was trying to draw a bee’s eyes, in fact, and kept repeating, “I can’t do it. I can’t do it.”

“We worked with him and gave him a few tips and tricks on how to cut paper,” Hecht added. “Sure enough, he was able to use some other materials and stickers, and then when he wanted to draw beehives, the volunteer showed him how to make a straight line by using paper. He managed to put it all together, and he was so excited and so proud of himself. Because he did it himself.

“It’s always inspiring to see things like that,” she added.

This story originally appeared in the Desert Sun, 2026.

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 post Grantee Spotlight: Foundation grant expands Tools for Tomorrow’s reach in the arts appeared first on IECF.

REEF sprang to life in 1993 to benefit the more than 43,000 students in Riverside Unified School District (RUSD). It quickly sparked the community to raise funds from public and private grants, as well as individual and corporate donors. The efforts provided funding for teacher grants in such areas as language arts, math, science, social studies, physical education, and the visual and performing arts.

The board is all-volunteer, comprising parents, community leaders, educators, and business associates.

“REEF is unique in that the dollars do go straight into the classroom,” said Lauri Byers, REEF’s Executive Administrator. “The ideas come from the teachers, and the impact is pretty immediate with the students. We love giving them that leverage to be able to do that in their classrooms.”

It’s the drive for creativity that stands out from the standard curriculum.

“School districts don’t really have extra money to provide for those kinds of creative things, so teachers often dip into their own pockets. When the organization started, we wanted to raise some money and give out mini grants to these teachers—something like $1,000 to a classroom or $3,000 to a grade school project. And we’ve been doing it that way ever since.”

More than 30 years later, REEF has grown considerably, granting more than $2 million dollars to the Riverside Unified School District in teaching grants. The ripple effects of these efforts have elevated the educational experiences of students from elementary school through high school.

Recent distributions from The Robert H. Gurr and Nancy Gurr Johnston Educational Book Fund, another fund IECF manages, are also expanding opportunities for learning.

“It’s a great fund,” said Lauri Byers, REEF’s executive administrator. “Bob, who is an honorary chair on our board, has been such a huge supporter of REEF for many years. He created an endowment to help middle-school age kids mostly, because that follows along his story about middle school.”

She adds that Gurr developed a love for engineering, design, and a deep appreciation for cars and airplanes, leading him down the path to his eventual career with Disney. At 94 years old, Bob Gurr is a legendary Disney Imagineer celebrated for developing the ride systems for some of the most iconic attractions in theme park history. He is famous for his more than 100 designs for Disney, ranging from the sleek Matterhorn Bobsleds and the Disneyland Monorail to the Autopia cars and the OmniMover system.

“He wanted to pay it forward, and this endowment has become a great support for middle-school kids,” Byers said. The annual grants are used to provide books and periodicals for RUSD students in grades 7 and 8, sparking interest in practical careers ranging from automotive and aircraft industries to theatrical and themed entertainment.

Through the years, REEF’s role has also expanded to include other types of grants and scholarships, which have become a valued lifeline.

The Bonnie G. Polis Teaching Enrichment Grants, for instance—named after one of the organization’s founding members and distributed annually. Elsewhere, Earthwatch Fellowships are a mix of designated funds from private donors and other REEF funds, allowing teachers worldwide to attend scientific expeditions and return to share their experience with their students.

“You’ll find grants that go to everything from arts and crafts to science and gardening,” she added noting showcases located in lobbies featuring displays of where grant money is distributed.

“One standout is Ms. Victoria Bella of John W. North High School, who directs ballet folklorico and makes a lot of her own costumes, sewing them for her students,” Byers said. “She puts a lot of detail and work into those. We funded the shoes for those students, helping out in a way that completes the outfit.”

To that end, oftentimes, REEF works right alongside teachers who put in their own efforts, helping them finish it off.

Another noteworthy teacher, Ms. Amanda Orantes, a 6th grade Dual Language Immersion (DLI) teacher at Jefferson Elementary, received funds to instruct about ancient Egyptian burial rituals.

“She wanted to teach them about mummies and mummification,” Byers explained. “She wanted apples, baking soda, salt, and just simple things to be able to have the students do hands-on learning. Ultimately, they got to see the results of that from beginning to end.”

Meanwhile Riverside STEM Academy students, under the instruction of Ms. Tracy Lawrence, recently took part in designing robotics and using software to manipulate what they do.

“We got to showcase that at our annual event called the Best Event Ever in March,” Byers said.

When asked what she loves most about working with the organization, Byers shared: “I love seeing the results. We have not wavered one bit from our mission because we really do see the impact and the difference it makes in the students and teachers in these school communities.”

This story originally appeared in the Press Enterprise, May, 2026.

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 post Grantee Spotlight: Riverside Unified teachers and students get extra support from recent grants appeared first on IECF.

It’s mission to empower communities through various educational opportunities spanning a diverse range of fields—from art, culture, entertainment, health, wellness, and technology—recently found further support via a grant from the Cultivating Inland Empire Latino Opportunity (CIELO) Fund at IECF.

Inland Empire Community Foundation distributed the grant, which CCC Executive Director Tizoc DeAztlan said greatly helped support the non-profit organization’s annual Mobius Conference, which ran April 15-16. 

“We were able to bring together more than 500 students and six different programs throughout the Coachella Valley over several days,” DeAztlan said. “The grant helped us find resources to facilitate that conference.

“These are definitely challenging times and there’s just a lot of pressure on our youth, families, and community and these groups deserve opportunities and access to resources,” he added. 

The Mobius Conference is yet another draw during Coachella Valley’s active festival season. The annual gathering unites gifted thought leaders, artists, performers, and pacesetters to spark inspiration and opportunity.  

DeAztlan noted the broad range of ability and influence in the desert and that something like Mobius is important for people to gather thoughts and connect in a productive way. 

“We have really talented and helpful students in the Coachella Valley,” he said. “They have diverse interests. Thanks to the grant, we were able to deliver pertinent and productive programming that was free to the students. It brought them together and allowed them to really imagine and scratch a little bit of that intellectual curiosity.” 

The conference took place across several sites throughout the Valley, utilizing varied engagement formats. A select group of talented leaders, educators, students, and activists worked together, holding space for attendees. 

A diverse mix of programs were offered.  

Mentorship Sessions, for instance, featured top speakers (Dr. Bettina Love/Columbia University, Chi Chi Adenihun/ Youth Mentoring Action Network) while The Thought Collective found change agents like artist/producer Asad Ali Jafri (Kaleidoscope Dreams Foundation) and singer/songwriter/pianist Leila Milki offering valuable insights. 

Soul Session, Justice Session, Health Session, and Hospitality Happy Hour also tapped into important topics while focusing on engagement. 

“Hopefully, we’ve motivated people in their studies and in their future career paths,” DeAztlan said. “More than anything, we wanted to bring in quality, thoughtful, and community-centered folks. We’re happy when we hear students asking important and powerful questions and watch them interact with different people throughout the country.” 

Students from all three local school districts, as well as those from College of the Desert, and beyond, attended. 

DeAztlan added that the recent conference only fuels CCC’s efforts to keep growing.  

Since its inception, the organization has worked diligently to provide free educational programming for students and the community. Generating inclusive, thoughtful, multicultural, and community-driven coding practices for the future will always be key.  

But DeAztlan also wants to make a mark. 

“When we have something like the Coachella Music Festival making this area the media center of the world for two weekends, everybody wants to be here,” he said. “But the reality is, there are rural areas that are underserved and don’t have access to cultural institutions or certain programming. We’re able to provide that for students over these couple of days. That’s important.” 

To that end, making connections is a major throughline in CCC’s efforts. 

“That connection, that engagement with students is critical, especially right now because there’s a lot of heaviness,” he said. “A lot of folks might be feeling a little helpless. They may not know how to channel their passion. Codex committees are composed of individuals that want to channel that energy and focus it on our students here, making sure they have access to opportunities.” 

This story will appear in the Desert Sun, May, 2026.

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 post Grantee Spotlight: CIELO Fund helps Codex spark student interest appeared first on IECF.

Which makes the road ahead in 2026 and beyond unique for her and the organization she champions. In fact, the first-generation Tongan American-born leader is ready to take MALO to the next level. 

“We’re a movement,” Soakai said. “MALO is fighting for social justice in any way possible, and that’s by making sure that we stay strong, because if we stay strong, that’s us showing that we are fighting against any systems that may have been put in place for us not to thrive.” 

MALO launched as a non-profit organization nearly 10 years ago, springing from Soakai’s dedication to family and her education. Her father was a founder of the First United Methodist Church in Ontario, a place where MALO now holds its meetings.  

But back in the 1970s, Soakai’s home was a haven for many Tongan immigrants looking for a safe place to live while they established their own homes in the region. These early days planted the seeds of what would later grow into a bona fide change agent. 

When a Master’s in Ethical Leadership project emerged, Soakai saw it as a chance to expand her work and ideals. MALO sprang to life thereafter, serving the Tongan and Pacific Islander community in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. Its primary focus revolves around empowering through youth mentorship, health initiatives, cultural preservation, and job readiness.  

Soakai stressed that the organization wants to bridge the space between the Tongan community’s youth and elders. Connecting people with vital local resources and promoting cultural heritage through various activities and events factors into the mix. 

Recent grants from Inland Empire Community Foundation through the Gates Educational Advancement Grant and Youth Grantmakers will further fuel MALO’s efforts in the coming months. 

“The grant allows us to continue dreaming big about what we can do with our youth, and what youth leadership looks like,” Soakai said. “We have the backing of a very big organization, and getting funding allows us to give our youth space to dream, then implement those dreams.” 

“Instead of dreaming up and waiting for more funding, the resources we received allow us to move forward with the kids and the project they’re working on right now,” she added. 

That project is being kept under wraps for now, but Soakai calls it “one of a kind,” adding that, “it will be a four-year project that gives youth the space to see the potential of what can be done when we put it our hands onto something.” 

Elsewhere, the nonprofit offers a broad range of programs—from health initiatives, cultural heritage efforts, and leadership development to education and local partnerships with organizations like Pomona College’s Asian American Resource Center (AARC). 

Today, the nonprofit is a rare entity. It’s the only Tongan-led, Tongan-serving organization in the Inland Empire that actively assists the Tongan, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders (NHPIs) community, linking them to local resources within San Bernardino and Riverside counties. 

“We need more,” Soakai stressed. “There’s just more that needs to happen for our community. Unfortunately, we thought that it was already out there. But what we found is that we’re the ones that have to create what works for our community.” 

Learn more at malotongaie.org. 

This story originally appeared in the Press Enterprise, November 2025.

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 post Grantee Spotlight: Grant helps fund project for Tongan and Pacific Islanders at MALO appeared first on IECF.

And empowering. 

Inland Empire Prism Collective, a non-profit organization that supports the development and well-being of QTBIPOC youth through a variety of resources and networking, wants to keep that traction going, building on its early beginnings nearly 10 years ago. 

A recent Gates Educational Advancement Grant via Inland Empire Community Foundation will help on that front. 

“These resources will allow us to stay focused on many school issues, especially when it comes to LGBTQ+ student rights,” said Miguel Rivera, IE Prism Collective’s Development Director. “The grant will help with youth organizing and education. We’re really strained and overall, it’s a challenging situation throughout the Inland Empire. 

“The grant will help our student organizers in the community or help with covering those salaries partially,” Rivera added. 

Championing LGBTQ+ wellbeing across the Inland region has always been one of the collective’s main goals. Launched in 2018, the endeavor began with mostly volunteers fueling the cause. Today, it’s bloomed into a mission-driven enterprise with a staff of part-time and full-time employees.  

The nonprofit’s scope covers effective youth mentorship, healthcare needs and access, cultural programming, and shrewd policy advocacy. 

The organization’s programming aptly covers a broad spectrum of areas, ranging from such things as Peer Connection and Queer Up Space Outside—a great model for recreational activities with a community-building focus—to Trans and Non-Binary Hangouts and other wellness initiatives. 

One standout is the Pride Pathways initiative, which creates LGBTQ+ job seekers with key LGBTQ+ friendly employers.  

Other alliances, such as those it maintains with TruEvolution, a nonprofit that advocates for health equity and racial justice for LGBTQ+ people, and Rainbow Pride Youth Alliance, filter into the mix.  

Voter outreach and housing advocacy efforts also stand out. 

Rivera, who is also one of the founders of Inland Empire Prism Collective, said the evolution of the organization was organic if not necessary and timely. 

“My personal struggles growing up as a gay child informed my decisions,” he said. “I knew from a very young age that I was gay. I grew up in a very Catholic household and I never had much community. I got kicked out when was in high school when I came out. There just weren’t many resources in the area.” 

Part of the struggle growing up, he added, was wanting to change those kinds of circumstances. 

“I wanted to make sure there were places, community, and support right for queer students,” he said. “I wanted there to be a place where it could get better. We all saw a need for advocacy and creating safe spaces for queer folks in the IE.” 

Rivera encourages people to get involved. Reaching out via its Facebook or other social media channels, as well as the nonprofit’s website, offer ways for deeper connection and involvement. And events, such as the nonprofit’s Lavender Gala, which honors community leaders, also create viable pathways for new alliances. 

“We’re growing as an organization and trying to create change in the IE,” Rivera stressed. “We want it to be more equitable for everyone, not just LGBTQ+ folks. They are our priority here at Prism, but we have a big vision of creating safe spaces, third spaces, and permanent third spaces.  

“We also want to make sure that LGBTQ+ folks are prepared for the workforce, and we’re trying to create a real queer economy in San Bernardino,” he added. “That’s very important to us.” 

Learn more at ieprismcollective.org

This story originally appeared in the Press Enterprise, November 2025.

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 post Grantee Spotlight: Grant strengthens cause for Inland Empire Prism Collective appeared first on IECF.