A Look at the Desert Community Foundation's Funding in California's Coachella Valley

The Coachella Valley is perhaps best known for the hugely popular music festival that takes place there over multiple weekends each April. But to address the charitable needs of the region, the Desert Community Foundation (DCF) has been serving the Coachella Valley since 1999 and has awarded over $24.7 million in local giving to date. DCF has reported at least $107 million in assets and works in a few different ways to achieve its mission of supporting a healthy and educated region.

Here’s what nonprofits in the Palm Desert region of California should know about the Desert Community Foundation and its local philanthropy.

Types of funding

The foundation awards many of its grants through donor-advised funds, which allow local philanthropists to support the charities they care about while receiving immediate tax benefits. DCF offers a Trusted Advisors Program that offers philanthropists with at least $500,000 to start a fund with the opportunity to work with their own investment advisors as they give through the foundation.

Typical DCF grants are between $5,000 and $20,000 and go toward general operating support. Recent grantees include the Desert Protection Society in Joshua Tree, the Boys & Girls Club in Palm Desert, the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission in Indio and Jordan Outreach Ministries in Thermal.

For over 20 years, the foundation has also managed scholarship programs for private country clubs in the region, involving an exclusive advisory committee comprised of local administrators, educators and college specialists. The foundation assists country clubs, companies and private donors in setting up scholarship funds with the input of its advisory committee.

An annual giving day

A significant part of DCF's giving is its CV Giving Day, which brings the community together to raise money and awareness during a 24-hour period. The giving day is an online challenge in which nonprofits can register to participate, and donors can give back to their community. It typically occurs in March and has early giving opportunities available, plus prizes and leaderboards for participating nonprofits.

Get in touch

DCF maintains a highly local focus and exclusively serves the Coachella Valley. The communities in focus here are Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Thousand Palms, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Bermuda Dunes, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio, Coachella, Thermal, Mecca and Oasis.

Although the foundation does not provide a clear way for nonprofits to apply for funding on its website, it does accept outreach from grantseekers. For general or grant-related questions, organizations may contact the executive director by phone, email or mail.

You can learn more about this funder in IP’s complete profile of the Desert Community Foundation, which is part of our Los Angeles and Southern California grantmaking guide.

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