In June 2024, the Trust for Civic Life awarded its first grants totaling $8 million to 20 local organizations that are rallying communities to solve problems across differences and reimagining civic life in creative ways. Imperial Valley Wellness Foundation was one of the 20 recipients.

Grantees exemplify what the trust calls “everyday democracy” as they bring people together to address often-fundamental concerns, whether that’s a fading industry, a dilapidated park, or access to quality health care.

IVWF takes several approaches to supporting civic life in the region, including learning exchanges, capacity building and mentorship support for emerging civic activities, and incubating and supporting the creation of community-led organizations.

“We are proud to be one of the first grantees of Trust for Civic Life and thank all the funders in the collaborative for this recognition of IVWF as a “civic hub,” said Roque Barros, Executive Director, IVWF.

About the Trust for Civic Life
Launched in 2024, the Trust for Civic Life is a new grantmaking collaborative that connects national and regional philanthropy with rural efforts to strengthen community bonds, civic engagement, and everyday democracy. The collaborative brings together a cross-ideological set of funders to invest $50 million over the next five years in a new wave of people, places, and programs that increase trust, belonging and unity in communities. The Trust for Civic Life grew out of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences’ 2020 Our Common Purpose that called for greater investment into civic infrastructure as a necessary path to a stronger democracy. It was initiated by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Stand Together, and Omidyar Network, and has grown to include a diverse group of over a dozen philanthropists and foundations. Learn more at www.trustforciviclife.org.