By Greg Archer Inland Southern California United Way has more incentive to expand its reach after receiving a grant from the James K. Wilden Fund via Inland Empire Community Foundation. “This is one of those rare gifts that we can depend on at United Way,” said Kimberly Starrs, president and chief executive officer of Inland Southern California United Way and Inland Southern California 211+. “It’s so nice having unrestricted gifts, because they enable us to do the work that’s most pressing, and it allows us to fill gaps with the service we provide.” The nonprofit’s services are vast, aligned with a mission to champion “the education, financial stability, health, and housing of every person in the Inland Southern California region.” Starrs said that means uniting people, ideas, and resources to empower the community and improve lives. One of the organization’s goals is to empower communities to action, which can allow them to thrive. Services such as the Small and Micro Business Resiliency Grant Program, is a joint effort between the city of Riverside, Inland Southern California United Way 211+, and the Inland Small Business Development Center that offers support to local businesses and those who are self-employed with funding through the American Rescue Plan Act. Inland Southern California United Way staff members attend a Sept. 13, 2024, event at KCAL FM in Redlands to promote donations to the United Way’s Wildfire Fund and take applications from those affected by fires. From left are Isabel Sanchez, director of philanthropy; Loreto Acevedo, outreach coordinator; and Melissa Gomes, project coordinator. (Courtesy of Inland Southern California United Way) To be sure, the nonprofit offers more, from rental assistance and crisis hotlines to court referrals and prescription savings. “We provide about 50 different services to the community and serve about a million people,” Starrs said, noting that the organization has been vigilant for more than 90 years locally, “actively listening and responding to local needs.” The organization champions community resiliency, financial security, and health. The nonprofit itself has about 600 volunteers and nearly 150 staff members serving the communities in Riverside, San Bernardino, and East Los Angeles counties. Starrs has been with the organization for 20 years. “For me,” she said, “it’s always been about the people — nothing but the people — that I love most about being here.” One of the most exciting new aspects of the organization, she said, has been its rebranding efforts. “We’ve recently gone through a brand refresh globally as a network,” she said. “That may not have reached everybody’s eyeballs or ears just yet, but we’re an organization that’s almost 150 years old [nationally], and we’re committed to staying relevant, fresh, and accessible to our community.” What she appreciates most about the brand refresh is that it pulls together unique mission-driven components of the nonprofit. “Our first campaign to come out of that refresh was ‘United is the way,’” she said. “It’s a play on our name, but it really encompasses the ethos of our agency — that together, united, we can accomplish anything.” Related Articles Local News | This Inland Empire nonprofit focuses on preventing childhood drowning Local News | Human Migration Institute helps refugees in Riverside County Local News | Redlands-based YouthHope Foundation aims to build trust, relationships with those they help Local News | Grant helps Children’s Fund ‘meet all the needs’ of families Local News | Inland Empire Latino Lawyers Association, Inc. aims to broaden reach with grant funds On the horizon is the nonprofit’s annual Golf Classic, which takes place on Jan. 31, 2025, at Classic Club, 75-200 Classic Club Blvd., in Palm Desert. All proceeds support the programs and services of the organization. Learn more at inlandsocaluw.org. The Inland Empire Community Foundation works to strengthen Inland Southern California through philanthropy. Visit iegives.org.