A county investment to the Inland Empire Community Foundation established the program that offers “flexible, affordable loans” to local nonprofits, officials said. The loans seek to address the financial stress organizations often experience when traditional funding is difficult to acquire.

Established by a one-time allocation from the county, the IECF will manage the revolving loan fund that will start with $2.5 million for loan capitalization and $500,000 for startup and administrative costs during the initial two years, according to the county. After the first phase, interest earnings and loan repayments will replenish the fund to sustain it as a lasting resource for local agencies.

“The revolving loan fund represents an exciting opportunity to empower local nonprofits and significantly enhance their ability to serve our communities,” Dawn Rowe, San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Chairman and 3rd District Supervisor, said in a statement. “Because these funds revolve back into the program, we can continually reinvest in even more organizations, magnifying the long-term positive impacts across our county.”

According to the county, nonprofits often face difficulty getting timely funding because of delays in reimbursement from state or federal grants. As a result organizations often have to postpone facility upgrades, equipment purchases or the hiring of critical personnel.

The revolving loan fund provides a financial buffer that can enable nonprofits to quickly qualify for larger state and federal grants by providing the upfront capital needed for matching-fund obligations or to do “necessary capacity-building projects,” according to the county statement. As a new perpetual resource, organizations’ loan repayments to the loan fund create new lending opportunities that sets the stage for continuous growth and resilience in the nonprofit sector.

“By directly investing in our nonprofit community, we’re ensuring critical services reach residents when and where they’re most needed,” Board of Supervisors Vice Chair and 5th District Supervisor Joe Baca Jr. said in a statement. “These loans will allow organizations to expand and improve services, creating stronger communities throughout San Bernardino County.”

Loans will be awarded based on an applying organization’s operational strength, financial stability and repayment capacity, officials said. Priority goes to nonprofits that significantly improve the delivery of services and address pressing local challenges, particularly in underserved and low-income communities. The funding priority is for services to the county’s most underserved “vulnerable populations,” such as seniors, children 5 years old and younger, foster children and youth, people experiencing homelessness and residents of low-income communities.

“We are delighted and grateful that the county has approved this investment for our nonprofits,” Inland Empire Community Foundation CEO and President Michelle Decker said in a statement. “A revolving loan fund for working capital to help nonprofits grow is an innovative idea and new for the Inland Empire, so the board has done something special and we look forward to partnering with county to help build nonprofit capacity to meet more needs of county residents.”

The county will also provide technical assistance to loan fund applicants and loan borrowers, officials said.

The IECF intends to actively market the loan fund in an effort to attract further private investment to make the fund more robust, according to the county.

Information on loan terms, how to apply and other loan details were not immediately available.

The IECF was founded in 1941 and is the oldest philanthropic organization serving Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

The post $3 million loan fund available for San Bernardino County nonprofits appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

The High Desert local proved her community impact over dozens of women who were nominated for the award throughout San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

Cannon is the President and CEO of the Academy for Grassroots Organizations (AcademyGO), a Barstow 501c3 organization founded in 2001 that connects nonprofit professionals and volunteers throughout the Inland Empire region with resources and mentors.

Founded in 1941, the Inland Empire Community Foundation is the oldest and largest community foundation serving the Inland region, according to the nonprofit’s website. The Foundation has dispensed more than $212 million in grants and scholarships since its inception, including scholarships to every college and university within San Bernardino and Riverside counties. 

Cannon was honored with the award for her dedication to empowering Inland Empire nonprofits, Nefertiti Long told the Daily Press, Women’s Giving Fund Committee Chair.

“I am honored to lead the Women’s Giving Fund committee,” she said. “This year, we received an extraordinary eighty applications from all over the region. Among this impressive group, Debbie Cannon truly stood out [for] helping [nonprofits] broaden their reach and impact.”

Cannon donates her winnings to three charity groups that support women in the Inland Empire: Moses House Ministries, Her Sisters Keeper Foundation, and AcademyGo. To donate or apply for IE Community Foundation funds like the first-time home buyers Down Payment Assistance Program or student scholarships, visit www.iegives.org.

IECF – Woman’s Giving Fund

The Women’s Giving Fund (WGF) partners with the IECF to spotlight exceptional women in the San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

It was established in 2017 by a diverse group of professional women to learn about women’s economic security issues. The philanthropic mission of the WGF focuses on supporting issues that impact women and children.

WGF has given over $249,000 in grants to nonprofits and research benefiting women and families.

The Women’s Giving Fund also released its commissioned research study at the IECF Spring Fling, entitled “Thriving in the Inland Empire: Women and Well-Being through the Lens of Vital Conditions.”

This data helps the Women’s Giving Fund best allocate where award funds are needed throughout the Inland Empire community.

The study revealed that most women are struggling in the Inland Empire. More specifically, it reported that most women are uncertain about their future and face financial stress, unstable resources, and emotional strain, “highlighting the need for policies and investments that strengthen the vital conditions for well-being in our region.”

Some key data points in 2025:

• Thriving: 36% of women in the IE are thriving.
• Struggling: 58% of women in the IE are struggling.
• Suffering: 6% of women in the IE are suffering.
• Optimism Gap: 36% of women in Riverside County anticipate being worse off in 5 years compared to 9% of women in San Bernardino County.

The post Oak Hills resident awarded Woman of Achievement title over 80 competing nominees appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.