The Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF) is offering grants through its Field of Interest Funds for the 2025 cycle. The Foundation’s mission is to enhance the quality of life in the communities it serves by building permanent endowments, making prudent grants, catalyzing community solutions, and strengthening nonprofit organizations. The Field of Interest Funds are donor-restricted to specific program or geographic areas, and some grants are further reviewed by local advisory committees. The application deadline for the 2025 cycle is May 15, 2025.
Eligibility requirements include being a nonprofit public benefit corporation with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) and not classified as a private foundation. Public agencies may also apply under limited circumstances. Nonprofit organizations must have operated for at least three years in Riverside or San Bernardino Counties and must be in good standing regarding past grant obligations. Grants are competitive and evaluated based on program alignment with IECF's objectives and priorities.
The Field of Interest funds available include the Irene S. Rockwell Fund (up to $5,000, for residents of Perris), the Seraphim Fund (up to $10,000, for aiding women and children in need), the Fred and Eva V. Stebler Fund (up to $10,000, for indigent children with special needs in Riverside County), and the James Bernard and Mildred Jordan Tucker Fund (up to $10,000, for wheelchair users and ADA compliance projects). Grant making priorities include promoting self-sufficiency, maximizing resources through collaboration, supporting early intervention, and increasing community involvement.
The grant period runs from August 1, 2025, to May 1, 2026. Certain expenses are not eligible for funding, such as operating expenses, deficit reduction, capital projects, sectarian programs, individual support, research, partisan activities, and event sponsorships. Applications are screened for eligibility by IECF staff and evaluated by a grant committee before final approval by the Board of Directors. Notification of grant awards will be made by July 31, 2025.
