September 2025 — Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) has received a $75,000 grant from Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation to advance student success in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. The funding will support regional efforts to strengthen early academic milestones in elementary and middle school and expand access to dual enrollment opportunities in local high schools.
This investment will enhance GIA’s capacity to convene regional K-12 leaders, provide technical assistance, and offer professional development aligned with the Inland Empire’s cradle-to-career priorities. These supports are designed to help school districts improve long-term educational outcomes and ensure more students are on track for postsecondary and workforce success.
“Improving early academic achievement and increasing high school students’ access to college-level coursework are essential to our region’s future,” said Dr. Ashish Vaidya, President and CEO of Growing Inland Achievement. “We are grateful to
Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation for their partnership and for recognizing the importance of collaborative, regional approaches to improving educational outcomes.”
The funding aligns with GIA’s 2030 Strategic Plan and the Inland Empire’s Regional Call to Action; an ambitious goal for 70% of working-age adults in the region to earn a postsecondary degree or credential of value. Achieving this goal requires focused investment at all levels of the education pipeline.
The grant is part of a broader effort by Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation to support organizations advancing community well-being, education, and economic mobility. GIA is honored to be among the recipients of this year’s funding cycle.
As a regional coordinating organization for educational attainment, GIA will continue working closely with K-12 partners, higher education institutions, and community-based organizations to ensure that every student in the Inland Empire has the opportunity to thrive.