College of the Desert Nursing Students
Calling all students! IECF is excited to announce that our 2025 scholarship applications are now open! With just one Common Scholarship Application, students can access over 30 scholarship opportunities available to students in the Inland Empire and beyond. Awards range from $1,000 to more than $5,000, with many being renewable.
Whether you’re a graduating high school senior, a current college student, or returning to school to pursue your dreams, now is the time to apply!
Deadline: April 15, 2025, at 5:00 PM PST
APPLY NOWFrom Scholarship Recipient to IECF Board Chair: Jesse Melgar’s Story
For many students, scholarships aren’t just financial aid—they are a lifeline to opportunity. IECF Board Chair Jesse Melgar knows this firsthand.
When Jesse was preparing for college, his family had saved $5,000—enough to help with his first year, but not nearly enough to cover the full cost of his education. Like many first-generation students, he had to navigate the college process largely on his own, seeking advice from teachers, counselors, and mentors.
Jesse Melgar
Through his determination and community support, Jesse secured $15,000 in scholarships, including one from IECF (then known as The Community Foundation). That critical funding helped him attend UCLA, where he became the first in his family to graduate from college.
Years later, after earning a full-ride scholarship for his master’s degree at UC Riverside and then working in Sacramento as press secretary for Gov. Gavin Newsom, Jesse returned to the Inland Empire to give back. Today, he serves as IECF’s Board Chair and is the founder of the CIELO Fund, which uplifts Latino-led organizations and initiatives in the region. His journey—from scholarship recipient to regional leader—shows the lasting impact of community generosity.
Our Donors Make Scholarships Possible
IECF’s scholarship program is made possible by the vision and generosity of donors who invest in students like Jesse. Each scholarship tells a story of commitment to education and belief in future generations. Here are just a few:
Drs. Herb and Cheryl Fischer Scholarship Fund: Established in 2007, this fund provides scholarships for seniors graduating from high schools in San Bernardino County. Scholarships are awarded through both the San Bernardino Valley Chapter of the Links, Incorporated, and the San Bernardino County AVID Program. Drs. Herb and Cheryl Fischer have long been dedicated to education and philanthropy, working to ensure that every high school in the region has at least one scholarship per 100 AVID students. To date, their efforts have helped raise $435,000 in scholarships for Inland Empire students.
SBVC Students
The Elizabeth C. and Jack B. Clarke, Sr. Endowed Scholarship Fund honors the late councilman and his wife for their service to the Riverside community. This scholarship provides financial assistance to outstanding African-American or Hispanic/Latino students residing in Riverside or San Bernardino counties.
The David and Mary Hjorth Family Endowment Fund: Supports graduating seniors from Upland High School, providing two students with $11,000 scholarships to pursue higher education.
The Dr. Horace Jackson Legacy Scholarship was established in 2021 to award scholarships to John W. North High graduating students who demonstrate the same commitment to education and inclusivity as Dr. Horace Jackson, principal of North High in Riverside, California, from 1970-1976.
By establishing or contributing to a scholarship fund, donors create life-changing opportunities for Inland Empire students. Their generosity ensures that financial barriers don’t stand in the way of hardworking students achieving their dreams.
Want to make a difference and help open doors for the future generations? Contact our Charitable Giving Team at giving@iegives.org
Stay up to date on all the ways we’re making donors’ dreams come true as they help build a vibrant community where everyone can thrive. Sign up for our eNewsletter, Philanthropy Matters.
