Foundation gives back to Latino Community

In Celebration of Latino Heritage Month, the Inland Empire Community Foundation announced today that the CIELO Fund has raised more than $2 million since 2022 to support Latino-led and Latino-serving organizations and initiatives throughout the Inland Empire.

To date, the CIELO Fund has invested nearly $1 million into the region’s Latino community through grantmaking, scholarships, narrative change initiatives and original research. This includes $650k in grant awards to 56 grassroots organizations and $232k in scholarships to Latino students.

“We are filled with immense pride and gratitude for the hundreds of funders who have made the CIELO Fund’s impact possible, and for the grassroots organizations that serve as the heartbeat of our communities,” said Jesse Melgar, IECF Vice Chair and Founding Chair of the CIELO Fund. “Raising over $2 million in our first two years is more than a milestone—it’s a testament to the resilience, dedication, and unwavering commitment of our grantees, and the determination of our scholarship recipients, who are transforming lives and communities across Riverside and San Bernardino counties. These organizations and students are charting a new path for the region’s future and laying the foundation for a more just and equitable future. They inspire us all, and this is only the beginning of what we can achieve when we lead with vision, purpose, and community at the center. Adelante, always.”

For more information, visit iegives.org/cielofund.