Brothers of the Desert

Brothers of the Desert is a non-profit organization providing a growing support network for Black gay men and allies in the Coachella Valley. Our mission is to nurture and support Black gay men and allies through philanthropy, volunteerism, mentorship, education, advocacy, and social networking. Our purpose is to change the dynamics that produce isolation, disconnection, and inequities among Black gay men.

The seeds of our brotherhood were planted in 2017 in response to feelings of isolation and disconnection among Black gay men in the Coachella Valley –both desert pioneers and newcomers. The founding members, driven by a motivation to provide meaningful support to the Black LGBTQ community, began by assessing the needs and dreams of the long-standing Black gay residents who call the Coachella Valley home. In 2019, they partnered with a like-minded LGBTQ nonprofit called Better Brothers of LA to raise money for local scholarships, which led them to formally incorporate as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization in 2020. Since then, the Brothers of the Desert have dedicated over $10,000 in scholarships to LGBTQ+ and Black students in the Coachella Valley.

Brothers of the Desert Scholarship Fund

The Brothers of the Desert Scholarship Fund at IECF was established in 2024 to provide scholarships to students who have completed their secondary education in the Inland Empire, or are in the process of completing a two-year college program or have completed two years of college, who identify as male, Black (African American or of African descent), and Gay (Same Gender Loving, Queer, Bisexual) and have been accepted into a four-year college or university program in the United States. Scholarships typically open for applications in January. Follow the Scholarship Opportunities link below to learn more.

Donations to the Fund

The Fund welcomes donations of any amount, either one-time or recurring.

• For online donations, click the “Give Today” button below.
• For donations by check, make the check payable to IECF, with “Brothers of the Desert” in the memo line. Mail the check to: IECF | 3700 Sixth Street, Suite 200 | Riverside, CA 92501

Questions? Email info@brothersofthedesert.org