Quick answer: For program officers weighing Inland Empire foundation grants workforce youth proposals, the need is well documented: in the City of San Bernardino, 18.6% of residents live in poverty and 13.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, and 14 local teenagers have died of fentanyl overdoses since 2021. The Ayangbah Foundation, a 501(c)(3) in downtown San Bernardino, runs short job training for adults and free prevention and leadership programs for youth, and publishes its fiscal information openly.
The Need Behind Inland Empire Foundation Grants Workforce Youth Programs
San Bernardino County has large pockets of low educational attainment and high poverty. The numbers below come from U.S. Census QuickFacts (ACS 2020–2024) unless noted.
- San Bernardino: 222,044 residents; 74.2% high school graduate; 13.1% bachelor's; 18.6% poverty.
- Rialto: 106,554 residents; 75.8% high school graduate; 12.6% bachelor's; 12.7% poverty.
- Victorville: 141,395 residents; 79.1% high school graduate; 12.8% bachelor's; 18.4% poverty.
- Adelanto: 38,798 residents; 73.1% high school graduate; 7.7% bachelor's; 17.2% poverty.
- Highland: 57,614 residents; 79.6% high school graduate; 22.7% bachelor's; 17.1% poverty.
- Needles: about 4,872 residents; about 81% high school graduate; about 10% bachelor's; 29.7% poverty (ACS 2020–2024 via Census Reporter).
Youth face added risk. Fourteen local teenagers have died of fentanyl overdoses since 2021, according to the California Overdose Surveillance Dashboard as reported by Community Forward Redlands. Readiness for work and readiness for life are connected.
How Our Work Aligns With Regional Funding Priorities
The Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF) describes its grantmaking as competitive and aimed at strategic change and impact in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Its work is guided by the Vital Conditions framework, which names seven conditions, including:
- Meaningful Work and Wealth, which our job training and small business programs address.
- Lifelong Learning, which our certificate and skills classes address.
- Basic Needs for Health and Safety, which our fentanyl awareness and naloxone training address.
- Belonging and Civic Muscle, which our youth leadership council addresses.
IECF also lists Education Equity and Youth Grantmakers among its impact areas. We cite these priorities from IECF's public website to show alignment. The Ayangbah Foundation does not claim any current relationship with or grant from IECF. Private family and corporate foundations in the region often fund similar themes; each funder's own guidelines are the final word.
What Our Programs Are
Adult workforce training
- Career Readiness & Entrepreneurship Employment Training: a 40-hour, 4-week certificate ($1,200). Our application for the state's Eligible Training Provider List is in progress.
- Microsoft Excel & Office Essentials and QuickBooks Bookkeeping Essentials: 12 hours each ($297).
- Public Speaking & Communication Lab, Conversational Mandarin Chinese and Entrepreneurship & Small Business workshops.
- Government Contracting Academy: a cohort covering SAM.gov, certifications, finding bids and proposal writing.
Youth programs
- Youth Substance Use Prevention & Leadership for ages 12 to 26: fentanyl awareness, naloxone training and a youth leadership council.
- Future Leaders Academy: a free Saturday youth workshop with lunch provided.
Every class runs in person in an ADA-accessible downtown San Bernardino classroom and live online, with day, evening and Saturday options. Industry certifications such as OSHA 10, CPR/First Aid, ServSafe and CompTIA A+ are planned for 2027. See all programs.
Organizational Credibility and Fiscal Transparency
- Legal status: 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 33-4528503.
- Federal registration: SAM.gov registered (UEI PCHNA3S8NBV4, CAGE 249H1).
- Public workforce system: CalJOBS Site ID 1040075; approved work-experience worksite for the San Bernardino County Workforce Development Department, with 10 interns hosted and mentored so far.
- Leadership: founder and executive director Dr. Shirley Ayangbah holds a PhD in International Law, an M.A. in Economics, an M.A. in International Relations and a BBA in Accounting, and is a professor and economist.
- Transparency: our fiscal information is published on our transparency page.
What Inland Empire Foundation Grants Workforce Youth Funding Could Support Here
- A sponsored training cohort for a priority community, such as Adelanto, Rialto or central San Bernardino.
- Free youth workshops: Future Leaders Academy sessions and prevention trainings in schools and neighborhoods.
- The youth leadership council, giving young people a role in shaping prevention efforts.
- Online access for High Desert, mountain and Morongo Basin residents who live far from training centers.
- Work experience placements that connect participants to local employers.
For broader context, see who funds workforce development.
FAQ
What does the Inland Empire Community Foundation fund?
According to its website, IECF's impact areas include Climate and Environment, Education Equity, Policy and Engagement, and Youth Grantmakers, guided by a Vital Conditions framework that includes Meaningful Work and Wealth and Lifelong Learning.
Who is eligible for IECF grants?
IECF's grant FAQ says applicants must be public benefit nonprofits with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status that are not private foundations. Each grant's guidelines set further rules.
What youth programs in San Bernardino need funding?
Free youth fentanyl prevention, naloxone training and leadership programs, such as The Ayangbah Foundation's Future Leaders Academy and youth leadership council, rely on grants and donations to stay free.
How much does it cost to fund one job training participant?
The Ayangbah Foundation's 40-hour career certificate costs $1,200 per participant. Excel and QuickBooks seats cost $297 each.
Where can I see The Ayangbah Foundation's financial information?
Our fiscal information is published on our transparency page at /transparency.
Ways to Partner
We welcome a conversation with program officers before any formal request. Tell us your priorities, and we will share how our work fits.
- Fund a program: sponsor a cohort or youth workshops.
- Start a conversation with our team.
- Give online to support training and prevention.
- See our impact and how we report it.
Or call us at (909) 454-7076.
Sources: Inland Empire Community Foundation, website home page, Impact overview and Grant FAQ; U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for San Bernardino, Rialto, Victorville, Adelanto and Highland (ACS 2020–2024; 2025 population estimates); U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 for Needles, via Census Reporter; California Overdose Surveillance Dashboard via Community Forward Redlands.