Grants totaling $2.3 million will give a boost to leaders of 40 Inland Empire nonprofit groups that work to help families with children. The IEHP Foundation grants created the Champions for Vibrant Health Leadership Network, a foundation news release states. The two-year leadership development program will work with the organizations in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, a news release states. Depending on their budgets, groups will receive $50,000 or $130,000, the release states. The groups offer services such as affordable housing, help with basic needs, behavioral health,education, substance-use treatment and job training. An executive leader and an “emerging leader” from each organization will be in the program. “We are investing not only in the mission of these organizations but also leadership for the future of theregion,” IEHP Foundation CEO Greg Bradbard said in the release. “To foster healthy neighborhoods and cultivate healthy living for all residents in the Inland Empire, we need a strong and thriving nonprofit network to address the social, behavioral and systemic factors that impact a person’s overall health and well-being.” Related Articles Local News | Junior League of Riverside makes an impact with Inland Empire diaper bank Local News | Inland Southern California United Way is ‘listening and responding’ to area’s needs Local News | This Inland Empire nonprofit focuses on preventing childhood drowning The program also encourages organizations to work together to fight the disparities in residents’ health seen across the region. The Rancho Cucamonga-based IEHP Foundation, which aims to advance the health and well-being of Inland residents, was founded in 2021 by the Inland Empire Health Plan. Organizations in the program are: Academy for Grassroots Organizations (Academy Go) Building Resilient Communities Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest County Catholic Charities Riverside and San Bernardino Counties Cedar House Life Change Center Children’s Fund, Inc. Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California Community Health Action Network Divine Truth Unity Fellowship Church, Inc dba Rainbow Pride Youth Alliance El Sol Neighborhood Educational Center Family Service Association of Redlands Feeding America Riverside and San Bernardino Counties Food In Need of Distribution, Inc. Goodwill Southern California Greater Hope Foundation for Children, Inc. Hope through Housing Foundation Health Career Connection Inland Empire Community Collaborative Inland Empire Community Health Initiative Inland Southern California United Way Inland Temporary Homes Lift To Rise Martha’s Village & Kitchen Mary’s Mercy Center Moses House Ministries Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services, Inc. Never Stop Grinding Impact North County Health Project Inc. Operation New Hope Pacific Clinics Path of Life Ministries Providence St. Mary Medical Center Reach Out West End Regional Access Project Foundation Riverside Community Health Foundation Sahaba Initiative Inc. The Mom & Dad Project Visión y Compromiso Water of Life Community Church / Citylink Young Visionaries Youth Leadership Academy