Pictured here is the Women’s Giving Fund Committee (Left to Right) Brie Griset-Smith, Felicia Alexander, Liliana Andriani, Nefertiti Long, Margeaux F. Mernick Esq., Lynn Bogh Baldi
Funding boosts nonprofits serving women in crisis. Three honorees recognized as 2026 Women of Achievement.
Riverside, CA — Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF) has announced awards totaling $55,000 to four nonprofits as part of its annual Women’s Giving Fund (WGF) grants. With this year’s awards, the Fund has now distributed a total of $320,000, supporting both nonprofit programs and research focused on improving outcomes for women and families in the region.
The 2026 Women of Achievement, Vivian Shaw, Retired Chair RIMS Scholarship Foundation, Candice Shirk, Director of Miss Candice’s Dance Center, and Sabrina Gonzales, Executive Director of Civil Rights Institute of Inland California all received $5,000 for the charity of their choice that serves women in the IE.
The 2026 grantees and their funded projects are: NORA (formerly Riverside Area Rape Crisis Center) to support their outreach services, which educate and protect survivors of sexual abuse ($15,000); House of Ruth, to continue their efforts of preventing domestic violence and ensuring safety for women and families effected by abuse ($15,000). Shelter From The Storm to contribute to their daily operations of providing safety, counseling and outreach ($15,000); and Foothill Family Shelter to bolster their Housing Program and Community Help Desk ($10,000).
The grant awards were presented at the WGF Spring Fling on March 22, which made its debut in Coachella Valley at the Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort and Spa. Over 200 guests attended the annual brunch, where non-profits, community leaders, and donors celebrated women championing our region.
Nefertiti Long, Immediate Past Board Chair of IECF and Chair of the IECF Women’s Giving Fund, radiates excitement for the debut of Spring Fling in Coachella Valley and the impact these grants will have on the community. She states, “We were so thrilled to bring our annual event to the desert this year. Elevating awareness of the fund and expanding resources for women in this community is essential to our mission. This year, we proudly announced four grantees and honored three remarkable leaders whose vision, strength, and dedication continue to strengthen our communities in extraordinary ways.”
According to a 2025 report commissioned by the Women’s Giving Fund entitled, Thriving in the Inland Empire: Women and Well-Being through the Lens of Vital Conditions, most women in the Inland Empire are struggling. They are getting by but are uncertain about the future. Prior research indicates that individuals struggling with financial difficulties are more likely to experience financial stress, unstable resources, and emotional strain, underscoring the need for policies and investments that enhance the vital conditions for well-being in our region.
The Women’s Giving Fund (WGF) was established in 2017 by a diverse group of professional women whose goal is to create an inclusive opportunity for female donors to learn about women’s economic security, education, and health, focus their giving on issues affecting women and children, and experience the power of collaborative philanthropy.
For more information or to donate to the Women’s Giving Fund, visit iegives.org/womensgivingfund
About the Inland Empire Community Foundation
Founded in 1941, the Inland Empire Community Foundation is the oldest and largest community foundation in Inland Southern California. We partner with individuals, families and corporations to build a culture of philanthropy. Over the past 25 years, we have given out over $225 million in grants and scholarships. For more information visit the IECF’s website at www.iegives.org. Be a part of our conversation on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
