Regional nonprofit leaders were among the many people that recently gathered to collaborate at Inland Empire Community Foundation’s annual Policy and Philanthropy Summit: All Together. The event gathered more than 600 nonprofits, funders, philanthropists and civic leaders at the Riverside Convention Center.
“The annual summit is a regional call to action for the Inland Empire,” said Michelle Decker, IECF president and CEO. “As community partners, attendees look honestly at where the region stands today, the loads communities are carrying and what it will take over the next 10 years to build systems that allow people to truly thrive.”
Inspiring discussions, collaborative break-out-sessions, and a bevy of insightful connections unfolded at the Aug.
6 event that focused on the mechanics of community well-being and the policy decisions that influence the daily lives of IE residents, including such key topics as housing, public policy, health, immigration and belonging and community investment.
The Gates Foundation and Randall Lewis, Janell Lewis and The Lewis Group of Companies were the event’s presenting sponsors, along with premier sponsorship from Amazon, U.S. Bank, IEHP/IEHP Foundation, PolicyLink, Kaiser Permanente, Edison International, Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation and the IE Journalism Innovation Hub+ Fund.
The summit welcomed Rip Rapson, president and CEO of The Kresge Foundation, for an inspiring discussion. Rapson, who effectively advanced work in philanthropy, public policy, and community investment, made headway as Kresge’s president by helping shape national conversations around equitable development, climate resilience, health, arts and culture, and the role philanthropy can play in strengthening and building stronger communities.
Rapson challenged Inland Empire leaders to think beyond the scale of individual projects and consider how major investments strengthen neighborhoods, connect communities and become public assets. Sharing lessons from his work in revitalizing Detroit, he emphasized community infrastructure, thoughtful placemaking and the need to make sure growth reaches the people and places around it.
Federal policy changes were another major focus. A summit discussion on H.R. 1, facilitated by IECF board chair Jesse Melgar, included California Health & Human Services Secretary Kim Johnson and Carolyn Wang Wong, chief strategy officer at The California Endowment. Highlighting support for regional immigrant families during policy shifts, Melgar spoke to the necessity of trusted community partnerships: "We must work directly with organizations that already hold the trust of our immigrant and Latino communities — delivering information in Spanish and indigenous languages so families have the guidance needed to protect their health."
“The caliber of leaders in the room this year was remarkable, and the conversations gave us a much sharper understanding of the work ahead, where the gaps remain, and where there is real opportunity to move together,” said Graciela Moran, manager of IECF’s office of policy and engagement. “Rep. Aguilar was the first congressional member to join our annual summit, which was fantastic. He was part of the great range of impressive people attending—business owners, nonprofits, government officials, donors, and more.
“And they were all pursuing answers to the question, ‘What do we need to do next and how can we work together?'” she said.
One of the biggest event spotlights centered on the innovative strategies and partnerships that have been transforming the region. The hope was to generate a ripple effect that would inspire collaboration and driving action.
“This summit became a place to better understand the Inland Empire, the people who shape it and the issues we’re working through together,” Moran said. “That was especially true in the breakout sessions. In the past, those conversations often focused on sharing individual challenges or highlighting programs. This year, they moved further, toward deeper discussion, shared learning and a clearer sense of how people and organizations can work together on what comes next.”
Specifically, Moran points out the health care sector, which has faced significant challenges in 2026 — from rising health care costs to providing enough care for all. One main discussion revolved around identifying the big impacts that are going to hit the Inland Empire in the months and year ahead.
“Imagine everyone jumping in and sharing, ‘This what I'm doing, and this is what’s working,’” Moran said. “Needs were expressed, and people collected and share information across sectors, then created something out of that.” Attendees and community members can carry out the work that began at the summit through involvement in the IE Vital Conditions Network, which meets regularly to work toward a region where everyone thrives. Nonprofits and community members can learn more about IEVCN and sign up to participate in meetings at ievitalconditionsnetwork.org.
In looking ahead to 2027, Moran had one observation at the summit — the curiously even mix of hope and fear.
“People are fearful, yes, for what's ahead in 2027, and what's going to be or could be cut [financially],” she said. “On the flipside of that, there were so many people eager to move ahead because they feel more energized to do the work and figure out solutions.
“So, you also had this entire other unique thing taking place,” she said, “sectors that were in a better space stepping up and saying, ‘OK, how can we help out this other sector’ It was wonderful to see that optimism and hope.”
The Inland Empire Community Foundation works to strengthen Inland Southern California through philanthropy. Visit iegives.org.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: IECF’s annual policy and philanthropy summit generates progress
