The Mission
Advancing the health and wellness of vulnerable populations in Imperial County.
The Vision
Making the Imperial Valley A Better Place to Live for All
Imperial Valley Wellness Foundation (IVWF) is a grantmaker and serves as a Rural Development Hub in Imperial County by mobilizing resources into the region. As a grantmaker, IVWF funds in the areas of health and wellness, community engagement and nonprofit capacity building. As a Rural Development Hub, IVWF hosts Learning Exchanges, where individuals and organizations gather to learn, share, and discover ways to work together to make the Imperial Valley A Better Place to Live for All.
The Foundation
Imperial Valley Wellness Foundation is serving the role of a Rural Development Hub to focus on improving prosperity and well-being for all in the region. This role has been initiated by providing Health and Wellness grants and resources to address the health challenges and disparities that the people of Imperial County face.
A priority is to make sure that the most vulnerable communities and populations are visible to and heard by those making decisions that affect their daily lives. Our work around Civic Engagement will support community members to engage, elevate their voices, and participate in planning to make a reality the changes they want to see. Community Building Hubs will create the space and opportunity for community members to gather and mobilize around the priorities they identify and partner with local nonprofits that can enhance their efforts. These hubs will become their power base as they meet with institutions and government representatives with solutions on how to improve conditions.
Nonprofit Capacity Building is a critical component of the work. With the proper skills, capacity and resources, nonprofits, and community members, will become changemakers and decision-makers ensuring that prosperity and well-being is attainable by all. The Imperial Valley as a whole, needs external support and resources to elevate its voice and visibility and we invite others to create a Rural Funders Network to demonstrate a new way of balancing resources, power and decision making within rural communities.
The Alliance Healthcare Foundation is demonstrating this concept of balance by transferring 10% of its wealth to the Imperial Valley Wellness Foundation. We know this is long-term work and it will require resources in perpetuity to sustain it. Raising a $25 Million Endowment has begun and we are looking for others to grow it to support the Imperial Valley’s future!
Imperial Valley Mission Support Grant
By providing annual core operating support to nonprofit organizations closest to those in need, grantees are able to do the most good for their community.
2023 Imperial Valley Wellness Foundation’s Mission Support Grant CLOSED
IVWF provides Mission Support Grants once a year. For 2024 funding, we will release application opening dates in March 2024.
Imperial Valley Wellness Foundation (IVWF) aims to make the Imperial Valley A Better Place to Live for All. We recognize the importance and value of focusing on the quality of life for the residents of the Imperial County and want to support the work that many organizations are doing to address health and wellness, and community engagement in disinvested communities and especially with populations and groups that have been historically excluded from planning and decision-making. In addition, we value the importance of the nonprofits that lead this work and are committed to supporting them in building capacity to carry out their work and mission.
We invite 501(c)(3) nonprofits to apply for funding in the following three areas: 1) Health and Wellness, 2) Community Engagement, and 3) Nonprofit Capacity Building. Below are examples of the kind of work that falls under each of the areas.
If you have any further questions or would like to discuss, please contact IVWF Executive Director, Roque Barros, rbarros@ivwf.org.
Our Mission Support grants support funding in the following three areas:
Health and Wellness
- Food insecurity and healthy eating
- Active living and physical activity
- Mental and emotional health
- Safe and healthy living neighborhoods
- Social health
- Programs that focus on the awareness and prevention of asthma, prenatal care, diabetes, and obesity
- Health and wellness programs that benefit children, disadvantaged students, farm workers, homeless, LGBTQ, low-income families, seniors and veterans
Community Engagement
- Helping community members address the issues and needs they face in their communities
- Engaging community members to work together on community priorities
- Creating opportunities for community members to gather and socialize
- Helping community members gain awareness and become better informed
- Listening to the community to learn more about their priorities and helping them take actions to improve conditions
- Building the community’s capacity so they can create the change they want to see
Nonprofit Capacity Building
- Strengthening the operations of the organization
- Strengthening the staff and team of the organization
- Building a strong volunteer base
- Attending conferences and workshops
- Purchasing and/or improving equipment and software
- Technical assistance or consulting services
COVID-19 Response Fund
The Imperial Valley Wellness Foundation, in partnership with Alliance Healthcare Foundation and other generous donors launched a COVID-19 Response Fund in April 2020 for nonprofit organizations that serve Imperial County. As of December 2020, more than $850,000 had been raised and as of June 2021 $846,000 has been distributed. Read the full report here.
Board of Trustees
The Imperial Valley Wellness Foundation is a tax-exempt public charity under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code. Its board is made up of community leaders in healthcare, business, government and the nonprofit industry who have committed to the Imperial Wellness Foundation’s mission, vision and values for the betterment of Imperial County.
We are always seeking community representatives to serve on our committees.
If you are interested in serving with us, please send a cover note and your resume to rbarros@ivwf.org
Roque Barros
Antonio Romayor, Jr.
Elvira Anaya
Cynthia Mancha
Honorary Council
Dr. Adolphe Edward
Dr. Todd Finnell
Dr. Martha Garcia
Dr. Kathleen Lang
Larry Lewis
Haydee Rodriguez
Sara Sanders
Enrique Martinez
Yvonne Bell
Dr. Victor Jaime
Endowment Fundraising
With fundraising support and participation, the Imperial Valley Wellness Foundation will underwrite and support organizations and individuals that are solving the health problems of Imperial County and promoting the wellness of its hardworking population.
Contact Us
P.O. Box 3005
El Centro, 92244
