BANNING, CA – The Morongo Band of Mission Indians awarded nearly $450,000 in grants to dozens of non-profit organizations serving local communities across Riverside and San Bernardino counties as part of the 5th Annual Morongo Community Outreach Awards Luncheon.
The Morongo program focuses on groups that provide education, healthcare, or social services, preserve Native American culture, or support for military and military families. The 111 non-profit groups, which each received grants of up to $5,000, provide a wide array of services across the San Gorgonio Pass, the Coachella Valley, and the cities of Riverside, San Bernardino, Redlands, Palm Springs, Palm Desert and elsewhere.
“This year’s grant recipients represent the very best of our region as they work tirelessly every day to serve others, strengthen families, and improve lives,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin. “Morongo is thrilled to support these nonprofits and honor the meaningful impact they make in communities throughout Riverside and San Bernardino counties.”
Launched in 2022, the Morongo program has awarded over $1.7 million in grants to over 400 non-profit organizations with diverse missions and backgrounds.
“This $5,000 grant is a true blessing that will help our foundation address the needs of local mothers and children experiencing homelessness in the Coachella Valley,” said Kim Livreri, founder of The Butterfly Mission of Palm Desert. “Thanks to partners like Morongo, we are able to continue offering mentorship and support to prepare mothers in crisis for the workplace by providing clothing, counseling, and guidance.”
Groups that received grants from Morongo ranged from across the Inland region, from the Friends of Banning Library and Pass Community Foundation in the San Gorgonio Pass to the Riverside Meals on Wheels and Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center in Riverside; to Power Speaks Louder in Moreno Valley, Arrowhead United Way in San Bernardino, Beloved Foundation based in Redlands, Shelter from the Storm in Palm Desert, and the Angel View Inc. of Cathedral City.
“Morongo’s generosity opens doors that aren’t always open to our participants – the chance to create, to express, and to grow in ways that go far beyond what others have told them is possible,” said Susie Pittman, CEO of OPARC in Riverside. “These classes aren’t just art. They’re growth, they’re joy, and they’re a rare opportunity for adults with developmental disabilities across the Inland Empire to show the world what they’re truly capable of. That kind of opportunity matters deeply, and we’re so grateful for Morongo’s continued support.”
“With Morongo’s support, we will continue building a strong foundation for those we serve,” said Nelletta Reed, a board member with the Native Youth Foundation of Escondido. “This grant will uplift Indigenous children through opportunities like our Native Nexus workshops, helping them achieve greater success, access more opportunities, and strengthen their cultural identities.”
Over the past decade, the tribe has provided more than $20 million to support local and national non-profit organizations that serve the San Gorgonio Pass and communities across the Inland Empire. Morongo’s Community Outreach Awards Program aligns with the tribe’s ongoing philanthropic efforts.