IECF Youth Grantmakers Grant

The Inland Empire Community Foundation, guided by its mission "Where giving grows," operates as a respected philanthropic entity focused on the betterment of California’s Inland Empire region. This organization achieves its mission by mobilizing and managing charitable assets, issuing grants to nonprofits, and promoting a vision of a generous, vibrant, and just community. A member of the League of California Community Foundations and the National Council on Foundations, the Foundation upholds national standards of excellence. Among its hallmark initiatives is the Youth Grantmakers Program, established in 2008 to engage high school students (ages 15 to 18) in the philanthropic process. These students receive hands-on training in grantmaking, allowing them to develop leadership skills, analyze community needs, and recommend grants that align with identified local priorities. The 2026 Inland Empire Youth Grantmakers Fund continues the Foundation’s legacy of youth empowerment through targeted grantmaking. This year’s funding initiative prioritizes the critical and evolving needs of young people in Riverside, San Bernardino, and Coachella Valley, with a central emphasis on youth mental health, educational readiness, and financial literacy. Following a Peer Assessment Survey conducted in 2025, the Youth Grantmakers have refined their funding priorities to include academic stress, mental health support, financial education, community belonging, minority inclusion (such as LGBTQ+ and immigrant youth), and the responsible integration of artificial intelligence in youth spaces. These priorities reflect the pressing challenges and opportunities identified directly by youth in the Inland Empire. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit, public benefit organizations with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, or educational institutions that serve youth in the eligible counties. Organizations must operate inclusively, without discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, national origin, or disability. Importantly, any agency that has received Youth Grantmaker funds in both 2024 and 2025 is not eligible to apply for the 2026 cycle. This stipulation ensures that funding reaches new or previously unfunded initiatives. Programs that support free or low-cost therapy, advocate for mental health awareness, offer financial literacy education, and promote career readiness are highly encouraged to apply. Innovative approaches, including online platforms and real-life experiential learning activities, are also within scope. Grants will be awarded through a competitive process. Applications are evaluated by the Inland Empire Youth Grantmakers, with final approval provided by the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Requested grants may range from $1,000 to $5,000, with a firm ceiling of $5,000 per award. The grant period runs for one year, with funded activities eligible to begin as early as June 1, 2026, and required to conclude by May 31, 2027. Proposals that incorporate youth leadership, service learning, mentoring, the arts, or advocacy-based programming are particularly encouraged. To apply, organizations must complete and submit a four-page application package, which includes a cover sheet, two-page narrative, and a project budget. Additionally, applicants must provide a list of current board members with affiliations, their most recent operating budget, and a copy of their IRS determination letter confirming 501(c)(3) status. Submissions may be sent by mail or email to Denisha Shackelford, the Senior Scholarship Program Manager. All application materials must be received by 5:00 p.m. PT on April 30, 2026. Late or incomplete applications, including those postmarked but not received by the deadline, will not be considered. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions by May 30, 2026. The Foundation emphasizes transparency, youth engagement, and a direct alignment between funding decisions and community needs. Organizations are advised to ensure that youth have played a role in the planning and development of their proposed projects and that they will continue to be involved throughout the project’s implementation. This alignment with youth voice is at the core of the Inland Empire Youth Grantmakers’ mission and is a key factor in evaluation and funding decisions.

Youth involvement in both planning and implementation is a key evaluation factor; proposals should directly reflect youth-identified needs.