HIGHLAND, CA – In celebration of Giving Tuesday, Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation (YSMN) announced $450,000 in grants to eight local and Native‑led non-profits, underscoring the tribe’s commitment to empower communities, elevate voices and build pathways to lasting resilience. The grants will help fund direct impact programs that advance the long-term well-being of people and the environment.
Each organization was selected in alignment with one of the tribe’s four giving pillars. This year’s grant recipients include:
- San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools – $100,000 to support the “cradle to career roadmap,” a county-wide initiative promoting lifelong learning and preparing students for college and career readiness.
- Cedar House Life Change Center – $100,000 to expand evidence-based treatment programs and support individuals and families affected by addiction.
- Arts Connection – $50,000 to enhance arts programming and expand access to creative opportunities for San Bernardino County residents.
- California Native Vote Project – $50,000 to advance civic participation and support voter engagement, education, organizing, and leadership development within Native American communities.
- Desert Research Institute – $50,000 to provide students with early access to high-quality computer science instruction, strengthening pathways to STEM education and careers.
- Inland Empire Journalism Hub – $50,000 to bolster local journalism through funding, shared resources, and collaboration among reporters and media organizations.
- Red Media – $25,000 to develop the First America Podcast, highlighting the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence from a Native American perspective.
- Who We Play For – $25,000 to offer affordable heart screenings and increase cardiac health awareness in San Bernardino County schools.
In the last two decades, YSMN has contributed over $450 million to charitable causes and continues to dedicate resources to underfunded communities in the Inland Empire region. These efforts continue the tribe’s inherent stewardship of their Serrano ancestral lands, uplifting those who dwell within them.
