Inland Empire Community Foundation
The Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF) is a 501(c)(3) community foundation established in 1941, making it the oldest and largest community foundation serving the Inland Empire region. Based in Riverside, California, IECF operates across the largest geographic territory of any community foundation in the nation, covering more than 27,000 square miles. The organization stewards philanthropic resources to strengthen communities through strategic grantmaking, scholarships, and donor-advised funds.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$156.1M
+14.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$28.2M
+8.1% YoY
Grant Count
266
-14.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$106K
+26.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
IECF strengthens the Inland Empire through philanthropy with a commitment to equity, understanding that equity means applying an honest understanding of history and data to regional issues. The foundation focuses on:
- Education and scholarships
- Health and human services
- Arts and culture
- Civic and environmental benefit
- Children and families support
- Equity and racial justice initiatives
- Economic opportunity and job creation
- Climate and environment
Grantmaking
IECF manages multiple competitive grant programs and signature funds:
Review Cycle
- Over the last 25 years, IECF has awarded more than $250 million to nonprofit organizations
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
IECF serves Riverside and San Bernardino Counties in Southern California's Inland Empire region. The region comprises 52 cities and towns plus numerous unincorporated and rural areas, with a combined population of 4.5 million residents. The Inland Empire includes sprawling suburbs, valleys, high-elevation and low-elevation deserts, and mountain communities.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
2024 Financial Data:
- Total Assets: $156,059,832
- Total Revenues: $67,741,967
- Total Expenses: $38,552,790
- Number of Employees: 33
2022 Financial Data:
- Revenue: $38,980,191
- Expenses: $28,142,967
- Net Assets: $101,606,233
Historical Giving:
- Over the last 25 years, IECF has awarded more than $250 million to nonprofit organizations
- Since its founding in 1941, the Foundation has awarded more than $100 million to support programs that strengthen the community
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $156,059,832 | $136,860,693 | $124,985,392 |
| Revenue | $67,741,967 | $41,121,733 | $38,980,191 |
| Expenses | $38,552,790 | $34,281,398 | $28,142,967 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $19,929,642 | $7,377,825 | $3,503,358 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
15 open opportunities from Inland Empire Community Foundation
CIELO Fund Grant Opportunity
Inland Empire Community Foundation
Amount
Up to US $15,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Community Impact Fund
Inland Empire Community Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
COVID-19: IE Funders Alliance Rapid Response Fund
Inland Empire Community Foundation
Amount
$10,000 - $25,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
IECF has established specialized initiatives addressing specific community needs:
Black Equity - Inland Empire Fund: Advances narrative change and racial equity through partnerships including KVCR's storytelling grant and sponsorship of the region's annual State of the Black IE event. Established in partnership with IE Black Equity Initiative (BEI) and IEFunders Alliance.
Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) Fund: Approved by the IECF Board in September 2024, this fund was established to empower the lives and futures of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders through philanthropy, education, and leadership development. Launched in January 2025 with an initial fundraising goal of $100,000.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nefertiti Long | Board Chair | 4 | — |
| Jesse Melgar | Board Vice Chair | 4 | — |
| Joseph Williams | Board Secretary | 4 | — |
| Kathy Johnson | Board Treasurer (end Dec.) | 4 | — |
| Liliana Andriani | Director | 2 | — |
| Paulette Brown-Hinds | Director (end Dec.) | 2 | — |
| Dora Barilla | Director | 4 | — |
| Jeremy Hobbs | Director | 2 | — |
| Rosie Lewis | Director (start May) | 2 | — |
| Brian McDonald | Director | 2 | — |
| Jacob Mejia | Director | 2 | — |
| Tomas Morales | Director (end Dec.) | 2 | — |
| Benjamin Nate | Director (start May) | 2 | — |
| Marco Robles | Director | 2 | — |
| Neal Waner | Director | 2 | — |
| Regis Michelle Decker | President & CEO | 50 | $226,608 |
| Paula Myles | CFO | 50 | $151,756 |
| Khyati Mehta | CFO (start Dec.) | 50 | $8,625 |
| Celia Cudiamat | Chief Impact Officer | 50 | $159,586 |
| Brie Griset Smith | Chief Development Officer | 50 | $182,600 |
| Matthew Mena | IEGO Executive Director | 50 | $140,016 |
| Graciela Moran | OPE Manager | 50 | $104,170 |
| Kelby Sarti | IEGO Dir of Workforce Innovation | 50 | $108,672 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Community Impact Fund reached an $850,000 milestone in 2025, continuing to support nonprofits despite federal funding cuts
Community Impact Fund reaches $850K milestone, mitigates federal cuts toIECF awarded $40,000 to support housing, education, and domestic violence services for Inland Empire women through the Women's Giving Fund
Women's Giving Fund supports women in the Inland EmpireThe Women's Giving Fund continues to support women in the Inland Empire
Women's Giving Fund supports women in the Inland EmpireThe AANHPI Fund launched in January 2025 with a leadership and grants committee convened by the Founding Chair
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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