Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
A word from
Our President
There is an old expression “Charity begins at home.”
In 2001, a group of visionary Redlands citizens came together to create a local home base or community chest, if you will, to ensure just that! The Redlands Community Foundation (RCF) exists to maintain and improve the quality of life in Redlands and its surrounding communities. RCF welcomes the diverse philanthropic desires of local donors and provides a professional vehicle in order to steward these donors’ financial gifts.
Keeping It Local
Redlands Community Foundation is on the move! In just the last three years alone, RCF facilitated grants totaling $2.8 million via the generosity of RCF donors and RCF fund holders. Together we build on local strengths, improve the quality of local life and help local people in need. Advancing this sort of leadership and partnership in Redlands is precisely the duty of RCF and we are honored to do so.
Redlands is a city rich in the practice of giving.
Take a stroll through Redlands’ Smiley Park area and you will appreciate a few of our community’s jewels that wouldn’t exist without philanthropy and vision. Albert Smiley actually borrowed the money to build Redlands its own public library—it was a surprise when the City Council named it for him. Robert and Alma Watchorn honored the memory of their son in building and donating the Lincoln Shrine to the citizens of Redlands. And Clarence and Florence White were so imbued by Grace Mullen’s vision of ‘music for everyone’ that, in the midst of the Great Depression, they gave the Redlands Bowl Prosellis—and reminded us that no city lives by taxes alone.
Today Redlands Community Foundation continues this century-long practice of giving. Recently, RCF donors and fundholders have:
– Funded the Zanja Trail development work
– Funded educational scholarships for youth
– Supported programming and services for at-risk youth
And we don’t stop there. Take a look at the back page of this report and see a partial list of organizations, causes, and beneficiaries of intentional philanthropy from citizens like you to make a positive difference in our local community. I invite you to consider what legacy you might leave; what impact might you make? Yes indeed, Redlands Community Foundation is on the move. Join us!
Christopher Walker
PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Become a Friend of the Foundation
* A community foundation is a charitable organization supported by local donors and governed by a board of private citizens who work toward the greater good of the citizens in the community. Funds come from a variety of sources, including annual gifts, bequests, and donated funds for specific causes. The investment earnings are then distributed to worthy causes. Today, more than 1,700 community foundations exist around the world to do just that.
