Donor Stories

Hear the stories of friends who have made an impact through their acts of giving to our organization.

The Taylor Family Legacy: Education, Perseverance, and Paying it Forward

2/28/2025

When Roz Taylor received a Brouse Scholarship in the mid-1970s, it was a crucial stepping stone toward the completion of her education and the launch of a successful career.

A Love of Math and a Legacy of Learning: The Charles "Chuck" Brinker Scholarship Fund

4/3/2025

Charles "Chuck" Brinker loved math, and he was the kind of teacher who made a lasting impression on his students. For over two decades, Chuck was dedicated...

Jane Lykken Hoff leaves $4.5 million to support Coachella Valley nonprofits

10/29/2024

IECF has received a monumental gift of $4.5 million from the estate of Jane Lykken Hoff. This generous donation is the largest of its kind in the Foundation's...

Desert Inspiration: The Brian and Lori Rennie Legacy Fund

8/22/2024

From trekking through the surreal landscape of Joshua Tree to hiking 100 exhilarating miles in the Swiss Alps, Brian and Lori Rennie...

Empowering Dreams: Dr. Daksha Jain and Sudhir Kapadia Create Local Impact through a Scholarship Fund

1/26/2024

Dr. Daksha Jain and her husband, Sudhir Kapadia, discovered the meaning of giving back early on while growing up in India. The couple credits their...

Jeremy Hobbs

3/28/2022

At IECF, our board members are instrumental in helping us achieve our mission of strengthening the Inland Empire through philanthropy. They're our ambassadors, advocates, strategists, and supporters. Today we'd like to introduce you to board member Jeremy Hobbs, President of Western Wind Foundation, who also heads up our Marketing and Charitable Giving Committee.

Nefertiti Long

3/17/2023

As the daughter of a single mom, Nefertiti "Nef" Long grew up in humble circumstances. Her family moved frequently when she was a child. Although Nef faced adversity, she was fortunate to have teachers, family members and support systems to fill in the gaps...

Victress Bower: A Teacher and Her Legacy

3/8/2023

Born in Minnesota in 1874 , Victress Bower was the youngest of four children. She began teaching...

Peggy Fouke Wortz: The Embodiment of Grace, Elegance and Generosity

3/15/2023

Peggy Fouke Wortz was an extraordinary woman who transformed a life of privilege into a legacy of generosity.

Shelley Gagnet

5/17/2022

May is National Pet Month, and we're privileged to share this story about a wonderful donor whose beloved pet, Gracie, inspired a philanthropic legacy.

Rose Mayes

1/27/2023

In honor of January's Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and February's Black History Month, we're pleased to share the story of one of IECF's long-time supporters and a legacy donor, Rose Mayes.

Randall Lewis

6/25/2022

Randall Lewis, renowned regional homebuilder, developer and longtime philanthropist, has made a generous gift of $80,000 to IECF's Here for Good Fund in honor of the Foundation's 80^th Anniversary. The Here for Good Fund was established in 1992 to provide annual operating support to IECF, allowing us to offer community leadership on multiple issues. We sat down with Randall to talk about his thoughts on existing and emerging work that needs to be done in the Inland Empire, and why IECF plays an important role in that work.

Phil and Lynda Savage

11/28/2022

Philanthropy can take many forms, including volunteerism, community service and charitable giving. These are just some of the outward-focused practices that enrich our communities and promote the well-being of our neighbors. In this Conversation with Donors, we'd like to introduce you to Phil and Lynda Savage, who are lifelong examples of broad and generous altruism, and whom we are proud to call friends of the Foundation.

Joyce Montgomery: Giving and Investing with Peace of Mind

5/28/2021

Joyce Montgomery spent a full and rewarding career in nursing and healthcare management. When she retired, she knew she wanted to continue making a difference in the lives of young people, especially those interested in health care careers from low-income and diverse populations and medically underserved communities.

Dr. Judy White's MOSAIC: Building Unity, Inspired by Humanity

7/27/2022

IECF is proud to manage the MOSAIC fund, which was established to promote the education of multicultural enrichment; advocate for unity among races; provide a curriculum that teaches empathy; and support career advancement, mentoring, and scholarships.

Jay Allen Turned 65 and Invited Everyone to the Fun(d)!

10/29/2021

Palm Springs philanthropist Jay Allen wanted to celebrate his 65th birthday by raising $65K for nonprofit organizations, including the LGBTQ Center of the Desert. He opened the Jay Allen 65th Birthday Fund with IECF and invited everyone to the party.

Gloria Macias Harrison

3/30/2023

For over 50 years, Gloria Macias Harrison has dedicated her life's work to the betterment of her community through communication, activism and education.

George and Vici Nagel

8/29/2022

At IECF, we're privileged to serve as the link between hardworking nonprofits and generous donors in our united efforts to create a vibrant region. Wed like to introduce you to George and Vici Nagel, long-time friends of the Foundation and valued partners.

George and Nancy Bates

1/20/2022

A $1M scholarship fund was recently opened with IECF to honor the legacy of George P. Bates, founder of Shield Packaging in California.

Chris Carpenter

6/26/2022

"My late wife and I developed an interest in supporting the library many years ago," said Chris Carpenter. "Molly found her calling as a first-grade teacher. She absolutely loved the thrill of seeing the lights go on as kids learned to read, and she spent her free time volunteering with the Riverside library system."

Carol Newkirk and Beverly Rashidd: Champions for Women's Rights and Racial and Social Justice