Building on the success of the 2025 Inaugural Vibrant Health Fundraising Cohort, IEHP Foundation has selected 20 Inland Empire-based nonprofit organizations for an in-person training and coaching program focused on individual donor cultivation and major gifts fundraising.
This free seven-week program is designed for nonprofit fundraising leaders and staff with moderate donor development experience. It provides tools and knowledge to enhance fundraising, expand financial resources and strengthen organizations.
Fundraising experts Launa Wilson of LW Consulting and Lisa Wright, founder of Green Parakeet LLC, return to guide the cohort in best practices. Participants will develop practical deliverables, including fundraising calendars and donor pitches.
“I’m proud to once again partner with IEHP Foundation as they continue investing in our region’s nonprofit business leaders,” shared Wilson. “This program will give these leaders the tools and confidence they need to build more diverse funding models and make their organizations more sustainable for the long term.”
The 2026 cohort aims to strengthen participants’ skills and increase individual giving across the Inland Empire. Nationally, nonprofits receive about 66% of funding from individual giving, while the cohort organizations currently receive less than 25%.
Strengthening donor development has proven effective as the 2025 cohort recently reported increased revenue of over $500,000 in new funds through new donors or larger gifts from existing donors for the region.
This training addresses a clear need, as 65% of participants have never received formal fundraising training.
Steven Hardacre, Director of Health Workforce Outcomes at Reach Out, shared, “I am looking forward to learning and moving from concepts to conversation to action.”
Although many cohort members are experienced grant writers, there is a growing shift away from reliance on federal and state grants and toward individual giving opportunities.
“Today was such an amazing session, lots of great informational nuggets in three hours,” exclaimed Dar’rell Jones, Career Programs Manager, BLU Educational Foundation. “I am looking forward to learning how to be more strategic in our ask and how to plan out our year.”
Meet the 2026 Vibrant Health Fundraising Training Cohort
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Inland Empire
Boys and Girls Club of Greater Redlands – Riverside
Building Resilient Communities
Inland SoCal Housing Collective
Mountains Community Hospital Foundation
Ronald McDonald House Inland Empire
Victor Valley College District Foundation
We look forward to seeing this cohort collaborate and grow in the coming months. To learn more about our capacity building grants and funding priorities, click here.