activities · 13
what they do
direct service · 4
- College scholarship programs for Latino studentsAdministers scholarship programs for students in the Inland Empire, including awarding $232,000 to 122 Latino students attending colleges and universities in the region.
- Grantmaking to support community organizations Local Community GrantmakingProvides grants to local nonprofits across the Inland Empire to advance initiatives in education, affordable housing, food access, anti-racism, and community development. In 2025, distributed $450,000 to 40 nonprofits serving Riverside, San Bernardino, and Imperial counties.
- Grantmaking to support education, housing, food access, and racial equity Local Community GrantmakingProvides grants to local nonprofits in the Inland Empire to expand access to nutritious food, affordable housing, student programs, and anti-racism initiatives. In recent efforts, distributed $166,000 to nine organizations for food systems and awarded nearly $1.4 million to support Latino-led and Latino-serving organizations.
- Latino student scholarship programAdministers scholarships for Latino students attending colleges and universities in the Inland Empire. Awarded $232,000 in scholarships to 122 students.
research · 3
- Research on Latino and veteran communities in the Inland Empire Community Data Reporting & Action InitiativesConducts and commissions research studies on key community issues, including reports on the Latino workforce, access to basic resources, nonprofit leadership representation, and organizational capacity. Also conducted a 2023 study on veteran support systems. Partners include UCLA LPPI, UC Berkeley, USC, and UC Riverside.
- Research on Latino communities and workforce Community Needs Assessment & ResearchConducts and commissions research on Latino populations in the Inland Empire, including workforce conditions, access to resources, leadership representation, and organizational capacity. Partnered with UCLA LPPI, UC Berkeley, Latinos LEAD, USC, and UC Riverside on reports and data profiles from 2022 to 2025.
- Veterans needs assessment research Community Data Reporting & Action InitiativesConducted a 2023 study assessing the support systems and resources available to veterans in the Inland Empire region.
capacity building · 6
- AANHPI Fund launch and development Local Community GrantmakingLaunched the AANHPI Fund in May 2025 with a community event at La Sierra University and secured $100,000 in initial commitments to support education, leadership development, and nonprofit capacity building for AANHPI communities in the Inland Empire.
- Charitable asset managementInvests and administers over $156 million in charitable assets to support students, families, and community needs in the Inland Empire.
- Donor-advised fund administration and reporting Donor-Advised Fund AdministrationAdministers donor-advised funds by providing real-time notifications, tracking contributions and grant payouts, and offering access to current and historical fund statements for advisors.
- Donor-advised fund administration and reporting Donor-Advised Fund AdministrationAdministers donor-advised funds by providing real-time notifications, tracking contributions and grant payouts, and offering access to current and historical fund statements.
- Establishment and funding of community-specific philanthropic funds Local Community GrantmakingLaunches and capitalizes targeted funds to support specific communities, such as the AANHPI Fund launched in May 2025 with a community event and $100,000 in initial commitments to support education, leadership, and nonprofit capacity building.
- Management of charitable assets for community benefitInvests and administers over $156 million in charitable assets to support students, families, and community needs in the Inland Empire.
strategies · 12
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Capacity building and advocacy for underserved populations capacity_building_and_advocacyAdvances equity by building the sustainability of nonprofits serving marginalized communities—particularly veterans and AANHPI populations—through targeted funds, leadership development, and systemic advocacy.
- Capacity building through strategic partnerships and leadership development capacity_building_and_advocacyThe foundation strengthens the nonprofit ecosystem by building organizational capacity, fostering leadership, and forming strategic partnerships—particularly in veteran and AANHPI-serving organizations—while also advocating on behalf of these groups to ensure long-term sustainability and impact.
- Collective and community-driven investment model collective_investment_community_ledBy pooling resources and aligning with community passions, the foundation advances regional wellbeing through collective investment in mission-driven nonprofits and supports community-led initiatives, particularly among underrepresented populations such as Latinos and AANHPI communities, ensuring that funding flows to organizations rooted in and accountable to the communities they serve.
- Collective investment and community philanthropy collective_investmentMobilizes pooled resources and donor engagement to support mission-driven nonprofits and community-led initiatives, advancing regional wellbeing and prosperity through local generosity and shared leadership.
- Community-led and community-informed grantmaking community_informed_grantmakingEngages community-based committees and local leadership in the evaluation of grant proposals, ensuring that funding decisions are shaped by those most impacted, using data-driven strategies, community-informed design, and measurable outcomes.
- Community-led and data-informed grantmaking community_informed_data_driven_grantmakingThe organization uses a dual approach of community-based decision-making and data-driven analysis to guide investments, ensuring that grantmaking is both locally rooted and evidence-based. This includes leveraging original research, community data, and input from community-informed committees to identify and support effective, mission-aligned organizations.
- Comprehensive veteran support through regional collaboration veteran_support_fundThe foundation addresses the multifaceted needs of veterans by funding a regional initiative that provides integrated support across legal aid, education, housing, health, and basic needs, ensuring holistic and coordinated services.
- Data and research-informed decision making data_informed_grantmakingIntegrates verified nonprofit data, original research, and community data into grantmaking and investment decisions to ensure effectiveness, transparency, and strategic alignment.
- Donor-advised fund innovation and grantmaking support donor_advised_fund_managementEnhances donor effectiveness through a digital platform that enables self-service access, grant recommendations, and vetting of nonprofits using integrated data tools.
- Narrative change and media amplification narrative_changeShifts public perception and strengthens community identity by prioritizing media partnerships that amplify underrepresented narratives, particularly those of Latino communities in the Inland Empire.
- Narrative change and media amplification for underrepresented communities narrative_change_through_mediaThe foundation partners with media outlets to elevate and center Latino stories, experiences, and narratives in the Inland Empire, using strategic communications to shift public perception and advance equity.
- Technology-enabled donor engagement and grantmaking support donor_advised_fund_management_platformThe foundation enhances donor-advised fund management through a digital platform that enables self-service access, grant recommendations, and integration with third-party data (e.g., GuideStar), combining user-friendly technology with manual vetting to ensure responsible and informed grantmaking.
named programs · 8
what they call their work
AANHPI Fund
Fund empowering Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities in the Inland Empire through philanthropy, educational support, leadership development, and capacity building for nonprofits
Build Coachella Valley Fund (BCVF)
Community fund supporting social, environmental, and economic resilience in the Coachella Valley through collective grantmaking focused on food insecurity, lifelong learning, and economic opportunity
CIELO Fund
Signature fund investing in Latino-led and Latino-serving organizations in the Inland Empire through grantmaking, research, scholarships, and narrative change initiatives
CIELO Fund Grantmaking
Invests in Latino-led and Latino-serving organizations and strengthens Latino nonprofit infrastructure in Riverside and San Bernardino counties through grants.
CIELO Fund Narrative Change
Partners with media outlets and initiatives to uplift Latino narratives, stories, and experiences in the Inland Empire.
CIELO Fund Research
Sponsors original research with academic and nonprofit institutions to understand challenges and opportunities for the Latino community in the Inland Empire.
CIELO Fund Scholars Program
Scholarship program investing in Latino students attending Inland Empire colleges and universities, especially those intending to remain and work in the region
IE Latino Voices
Media platform co-designed with KVCR/NPR to uplift Latino narratives and stories of organizational leaders in the Inland Empire
relationships · 30
who they work with
- AANHPI Fund Partner — Hosts and supports the AANHPI Fund as one of its signature funds.
- AAPI Data Partner — Collaborates with AAPI Data to use research findings from the "One in Ten" report to inform AANHPI Fund grantmaking.
- Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies Partner — Collaborated with the CIELO Fund on a 2024 polling brief about Latino experiences accessing basic resources in the Inland Empire.
- Build Coachella Valley Fund Partner — Hosts and supports the Build Coachella Valley Fund as one of its signature funds.
- CIELO Fund Partner — Hosts and supports the CIELO Fund as one of its signature funds.
- Cal State San Bernardino Partner — Receives grant funding to support pre-college student programs.
- California Commission on Asian & Pacific Islander American Affairs Government — Co-released the "One in Ten" report with AAPI Data, used by IECF to inform AANHPI Fund grantmaking.
- Congressman Ken Calvert’s Office Partner — Collaborated with IECF’s Friends of Veterans Fund through the participation of Justin McEwen, a Wounded Warrior Fellow.
- De Los Partner — Partnered with the CIELO Fund and IECF in 2025 to expand coverage of the Inland Empire’s Latino community through the LA Times’ Latino-focused vertical.
- Desert Sun Partner — Partnered with the CIELO Fund to feature stories of Latino leaders in the Coachella Valley.
- FIND Food Bank Partner — Grantee organization receiving funding to expand access to nutritious food in the Coachella Valley.
- FRieNDS of Veterans Fund Partner — Hosts and supports the FRieNDS of Veterans Fund as one of its signature funds.
- Fund for a Creative IE Partner — Hosts and supports the Fund for a Creative IE as one of its signature funds.
- GuideStar Partner — Integrated into the Fund Advisor Portal to enable searching and vetting of U.S. nonprofit organizations for grantmaking.
- Here for Good Fund Partner — Hosts and supports the Here for Good Fund as one of its signature funds.
- IE Journalism Innovation Hub+ Fund Partner — Hosts and supports the IE Journalism Innovation Hub+ Fund as one of its signature funds.
- IE LGBTQ+ Empowerment Fund Partner — Hosts and supports the IE LGBTQ+ Empowerment Fund as one of its signature funds.
- Inland SoCal Housing Collective Partner — Receives grant funding to expand affordable housing initiatives and community engagement.
- KVCR/NPR Partner — Co-designed the IE Latino Voices media platform with the CIELO Fund to feature stories of Latino organizational leaders.
- LGBTQ Center of the Desert Partner — Grantee organization receiving funding to support community programs in the Coachella Valley.
- Latinos LEAD Partner — Collaborated with the CIELO Fund to release a 2023 report on Latino representation in nonprofit leadership in the Inland Empire.
- M.E.C.C.A. Fund Partner — Hosts and supports the M.E.C.C.A. Fund as one of its signature funds.
- Martha’s Village and Kitchen Partner — Grantee organization receiving funding to support programs improving wellbeing for vulnerable residents in the Coachella Valley.
- Palm Springs Public Library Foundation Partner — Receives grant funding to support library programming and operational development.
- Possibility Lab at UC Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy Partner — Partnered with the CIELO Fund to produce a 2024 polling brief on Latino access to basic resources in the Inland Empire.
- TODEC Partner — Grantee organization receiving funding to support programs improving wellbeing for vulnerable residents in the Coachella Valley.
- UC Riverside Partner — Partnered with the CIELO Fund to publish a 2022 data profile on Latinos in the Inland Empire.
- UCLA LPPI Partner — Partnered with the CIELO Fund to produce a 2025 report on the Latino workforce in the Inland Empire.
- USC Center for Latinx and Latin American Studies Partner — Commissioned by the CIELO Fund to conduct a 2023 qualitative study on Inland Empire Latino organizational leaders.
- Women's Giving Fund Partner — Hosts and supports the Women's Giving Fund as one of its signature funds.