We’re so grateful to everyone who contributed to the success of our Spring Fling brunch on March 23rd! Whether you joined us in person, supported us from afar, or helped lift this event behind the scenes, your presence and partnership made a lasting impact.
This year, we were privileged to award $64,000 to organizations creating lifelines for women across the Inland Empire. These aren’t just numbers on a check; they represent doorways opened, burdens lightened, and futures reimagined for countless women in our community.
It was our honor to present Debbie Cannon, President and CEO of the Academy for Grassroots Organizations, with the 2025 Woman of Achievement Award! A standing ovation confirmed that Debbie’s legacy of community leadership is an inspiration to us all, and we were proud to also present her with a $5,000 grant for the nonprofit of her choice.
The celebration extended to our four remarkable finalists—Helena Lopez (Greater Hope Foundation dba A Greater Hope); Rebecca Renee Hess (Black Girl Hockey Club); Stephanie Minor (Regional Access Project and Success for Nonprofits); and Susan Gómez (Inland Empire Community Collaborative)—each who will be able to direct a $1,000 grant to their selected organizations.
The Spring Fling spotlighted 62 extraordinary women nominees from across the Inland Empire, many of whom joined us for the celebration. These change-makers filled the room with their presence, each one representing countless hours of service and dedication to our community. They are a testament to the depth of female leadership flourishing in our region.
Your generous support also made possible a significant grant-making cycle!
We awarded:
- $15,000 to Corona-Norco United Way’s vital domestic violence program
- $15,000 to Inspire Life Skills for safe housing and counseling for young women
- $10,000 to Soroptimist International of Corona’s education and training programs
- $15,000 to UC Riverside’s Center for Community Solutions for groundbreaking research that’s already guiding our work ahead
New research reveals how women are faring in our region
The research findings struck a chord—while 36% of Inland Empire women are thriving, 58% are struggling. Behind each percentage point are real stories of women we pass on the street each day, women whose resilience in the face of challenges inspires our continued commitment. Join us for a complimentary lunch on June 3rd at She Counts: A Data-Driven Conversation about IE Women’s Well-Being. We’ll unveil the full results of the survey and explore how Inland Empire women’s well-being compares nationally and globally, how experiences differ across counties, and what it truly means to be thriving, struggling, or suffering in our region.
We’re especially grateful to our sponsors, who contributed generously in support of the Fund’s mission. In a lovely example of collaborative giving, we were delighted to receive a sponsorship from Ladies That Hike the IE. Two weeks before the Spring Fling, this circle of friends gathered over breakfast at the Rosena Ranch Clubhouse in San Bernardino with shared purpose. In just two hours, their conversation and commitment raised over $1,000 for the Women’s Giving Fund. This amplifies a truth we’ve long known—there’s a particular kind of magic that happens when women combine their resources with intention.
Spring Fling Photography by Erick Zambrano
Your gift, whether one-time or recurring, joins with others to weave a safety net of services across the Inland Empire—from emergency assistance for women fleeing domestic violence to leadership development—creating pathways for women to move from crisis to stability to becoming the next generation of community leaders.
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