Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF)

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $34.3 million (2023 tax year)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Not publicly available
• Geographic Focus: Inland Empire region (Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, California)

Contact Details

• Website: https://www.iegives.org
• Email: info@iegives.org
• Phone: 951-241-7777
• Address: 3700 Sixth Street, Suite 200, Riverside, CA 92501
• Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
• Grant Portal: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=inlandempire

Overview

The Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF) is a major philanthropic force in Southern California's Inland Empire region, founded in 1941 by civic leader and banker Charles Brouse. With total assets of $136.9 million (2023 tax year) and operating as a 501(c)(3) public charity, IECF serves as a vital community foundation supporting Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. The foundation operates primarily through donor-advised funds and manages multiple signature funds targeting specific community needs. Under the leadership of President & CEO Regis Michelle Decker, IECF focuses on creating lasting community change through strategic investments in equity, economy, education, and environment.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

IECF manages several signature funds, though specific grant amounts are not publicly detailed:

• Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) Fund
• Build Coachella Valley Fund
• CIELO Fund (Cultivating Inland Empire Latino Opportunity Fund)
• Friends of Veterans Fund
• Fund for a Creative IE
• Here for Good Fund
• IE Black Equity Fund
• Journalism Innovation Hub+Fund
• Women's Giving Fund
• Youth Grantmakers Programme

Priority Areas

IECF's impact framework focuses on four key pillars:

• Equity: Advancing racial and social equity across the region
• Economy: Supporting economic development and opportunity
• Education: Promoting education equity and access
• Environment: Addressing climate and environmental challenges

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions not publicly available

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership:

• President & CEO: Regis Michelle Decker
• Chief Development Officer: Brie Griset Smith
• Chief Impact Officer: Celia Cudiamat
• Chief Financial Officer: Paula Myles

Board Leadership:

• Board Chair: Jesse Melgar (assumed position in 2025)
• Immediate Past Chair: Nefertiti Long
• Board members serve without compensation

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

IECF operates a grant portal at https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=inlandempire. However, the foundation appears to primarily work through its signature funds and donor-advised funds rather than open, competitive grant cycles. Most funding opportunities appear to be through specific fund initiatives rather than general operating grants.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the limited public application information, organisations seeking support should:

• Contact IECF directly at info@iegives.org to inquire about relevant funding opportunities
• Explore partnership opportunities through their signature funds that align with your organisation's mission
• Engage with IECF's community initiatives and programmes to build relationships
• Consider applying through specific fund initiatives when announced

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available

Success Rates

Not publicly available

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly available

Application Success Factors

While specific application guidance is not publicly detailed, based on IECF's structure and priorities:

• Alignment with one of the four impact pillars (Equity, Economy, Education, Environment) appears critical
• Organisations serving the Inland Empire region (Riverside and San Bernardino Counties) have geographic priority
• Projects that demonstrate collaborative approaches and potential for lasting community change align with IECF's stated methodology
• Connection to one of the signature funds' specific focus areas may increase likelihood of support

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• IECF is a well-resourced community foundation with over $136 million in assets but limited public information about open grant opportunities
• The foundation appears to primarily distribute funds through donor-advised funds and signature fund initiatives rather than open RFPs
• Direct outreach to IECF staff is likely necessary to understand current funding opportunities
• Geographic focus is strictly limited to the Inland Empire region
• The foundation's four-pillar framework (Equity, Economy, Education, Environment) should guide any funding requests
• Consider exploring partnerships through specific signature funds that align with your mission
• The grant portal exists but may require direct communication with IECF to understand access and eligibility
• As a public charity (Form 990 filer), detailed grant recipient information is not publicly available

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Inland Empire Community Foundation (EIN: 33-0748536), Form 990 for tax year ending December 2023
• Inland Empire Community Foundation website (www.iegives.org)
• IECF Impact page (www.iegives.org/impact)
• IECF Nonprofits page (www.iegives.org/nonprofits)
• IECF 2025 Board announcement (www.iegives.org/2025-board/)