Philanthropy in the Inland Empire: Trends, Challenges & Opportunities
The Inland Empire (IE) is the fastest-growing region in California, and with that growth comes opportunity and challenge. While the IE receives less philanthropic funding than its neighbors, San Diego, Orange, and Los Angeles County, it does have emerging philanthropists who are charting the path forward and advocating for the region’s nonprofit sector more strongly. At the recent AFP Inland Empire Chapter’s Philanthropy Town Hall hosted at the Hope for Housing Foundation, philanthropy leaders gathered to tackle a critical question: Where is philanthropy in our region headed?
At the town hall, all panelists shared a clear message: regional funders are looking to prioritize community resilience to withstand the instability caused by escalating partisan politics in Washington. To achieve this, innovative, revenue-generating solutions will be essential for nonprofits to survive the loss of government funding. Preparing the Inland Empire region’s nonprofits to adapt and thrive must be a shared responsibility that calls for collective commitment and action.
While this conversation focused on a specific region, the wisdom and insights shared are applicable for any nonprofit leader right now given the uncertainty, particularly concerning funding.
A Shift Toward Economic Development
Historically, philanthropy in the IE has focused heavily on health and social services. However, new investments and opportunities are emerging, including those recognizing economic development as the engine for long-term stability and health in the region. Rather than addressing symptoms alone, funders are looking at investing in systems that create jobs, attract industry, and build regional and community wealth.
Matthew Mena, executive director of IEGO (Inland Empire Growth & Opportunity), shared that they are already funding regionalism to make the IE more competitive for industry. There's growing alignment that building a stronger local economy can address the root causes of poverty and improve outcomes for families in the region.
Reframing Our Mission
With minimal federal investment over the next four years, philanthropy cannot fill the funding gap alone. Greg Bradbard, CEO of the IEHP Foundation, noted that philanthropy must change how it talks about its mission. This means clearly articulating the role of philanthropy not as a savior but as a strategic investor in advocacy, policy change, and sustainable systems.
Philanthropy, in partnership with nonprofits, can also step up its messaging game. Bradbard stressed, “We need to be better at influencing and educating policymakers. Policy and advocacy are tools to protect vital programs like Medi-Cal, which supports 40% of Inland Empire residents. Now is the time to advocate with a unified voice and ensure legislators understand what’s at stake. Nonprofits get wary of lobbying, but we are educating our policymakers when we meet with them on the conditions and what’s at stake.”
Building Resilience and Revenue
All philanthropy leaders agreed that the nonprofit sector must build resilience to survive political and economic volatility. This includes developing new revenue streams, forming more public-private partnerships, and thinking differently about operations.
Key strategies include:
Collaborative funding models: Funders are increasingly wary of duplicative applications. Applicants with similar missions should collaborate, not compete.
Fiscal sponsorships: These arrangements can help small organizations reduce overhead while preserving their programs.
Mission alignment: Show partners how your work aligns with theirs, especially with faith-based communities who serve as trusted messengers in the Inland Empire.
As Mindy Silva, executive director of SAC Health Foundation noted, “Self-preservation may kick in. If removing me creates a greater good, I’m in.” That mindset of shared purpose and sacrifice is precisely what our region needs for nonprofits to thrive in these volatile times.
Innovation and Experiential Storytelling
Innovation is not a luxury—it’s a necessity for nonprofits. Whether through new models like what LAUNCH Apprenticeship Network is doing to address income inequity through quality nontraditional apprenticeships in cutting-edge sectors like AI and cybersecurity, the IE must stay ahead of the curve.
Quality, strategic storytelling is also essential. Greg Bradbard of the IEHP Foundation emphasized Simon Sinek’s Start with Why framework to inform fundraising and advocacy efforts by leading storytelling with why your impact matters. Nonprofits that center the “why” in their messages and stories are more likely to have a compelling case for necessary support. Experiential fundraising that engages storytelling should also be considered, like food bank tours or business-hosted food drives, to connect donors directly with impact and engage nontraditional partners in the for-profit space. Funders agreed that there is no silver bullet for landing a huge windfall; your biggest future donor may currently be the one giving small, recurring gifts. I’ve seen it many times with the nonprofits I work with: better stories lead to bigger dollars.
A Call to Action
The landscape is changing, and some local foundations like SAC Health and IEHP are anticipating cuts due to federal mandates impacting Medi-Cal. With local foundations potentially having less to contribute to grantmaking, contingency planning and bold thinking are more urgent than ever. In these times, nonprofits must:
Build efficiencies
Work strategically and collaboratively
Look for funding in unusual places
Think bigger
In closing the town hall, Mindy Silva stressed that we should move forward with faith, not fear. The Inland Empire has never lacked ingenuity or grit. Nonprofits that innovate, adapt, and respond to the shifting landscape will emerge stronger.