Equity as Our Compass

In March 2020, IECF adopted a focus on racial, gender, and economic equity. This is a journey as much as a destination. First, it means ensuring our staff and Board reflect the communities we serve. It also means listening to and incorporating the lived experiences of people who daily struggle to achieve safety, health, and prosperity in the Inland Empire. Our shared history as Americans is complex, and how you arrived and which community you belong to affects your access to opportunity. Being aware of that and designing grantmaking that understands those experiences is one way we can ensure greater access to the resources and future that helps people thrive

Perhaps most importantly, we rely on data that shows where disparities exist to drive our grantmaking, programs, and partnerships; see our research and reports here. Our donors and fund holders are essential partners in this effort, as we learn together and seek the gifts that can provide a better quality of life and greater self-determination for our powerfully diverse Inland Empire residents.

IECF is walking this journey with its Board, staff, and stakeholders to better use community philanthropy to create a fairer Inland Empire. We stand firmly for an Inland Empire of belonging—where everyone is not only included but truly valued, with the power, opportunity, and voice to help shape our shared future. Belonging is not just about being welcomed; it requires removing barriers and actively building a society where no one stands at the margins.

Our Grantmaking Focus

Our commitment to equity is reflected through our impactful grantmaking. We proudly support initiatives like the CIELO Fund, the IE Black Equity Fund, and the Women’s Giving Fund, which deliver crucial funding to organizations across the Inland Empire. These grants empower organizations that focus on equity, inclusion, and diversity, helping them make a lasting impact in marginalized communities. Grants from these funds:

• Support and build the capacity and effectiveness of nonprofits, collaboratives, and coalitions working to advance social and economic equity.
• Flexible, unrestricted support to carefully selected nonprofits that demonstrate the interest and ability to strengthen their organizational effectiveness and capacity.
• Nonprofits providing quality, essential services in the areas of education, economic development (inclusive), and environment, as well as those engaged in civic engagement, community organizing, advocacy, and movement building.
• Support small budget sizes, levels of capacity, and infrastructure

Trust-Based and Participatory Philanthropy

Trust-based philanthropy is our approach to grantmaking that empowers those closest to the work to have more control and say in how funds can best be used. We are proud to work with many mature and smart nonprofit leaders who have decades of experience and are trusted partners in grantmaking. The principles of trust-based philanthropy include:

• Multi-year unrestricted grants
• Streamlined applications and reporting
• Commitment to building relationships based on transparency, dialogue, and mutual learning

We also embrace participatory philanthropy, which ensures that funding decisions are informed by the voices and lived experiences of the communities we seek to serve. The previously mentioned funds uplift organizations through community-driven grantmaking. Advisory councils of local leaders help direct resources to support Women, Latinos, and Blacks in our region.