Growing Inland Achievement

Category: Grants

  • Growing Inland Achievement Receives $75,000 Grant from Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation to Support K-12 Outcomes in the Inland Empire

    Growing Inland Achievement Receives $75,000 Grant from Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation to Support K-12 Outcomes in the Inland Empire

    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.

  • Growing Inland Achievement Awarded $1,035,000 Grant from ECMC Foundation

    Growing Inland Achievement Awarded $1,035,000 Grant from ECMC Foundation

     

    Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) has received a $1,035,000 grant from the ECMC Foundation to help colleges and universities in the region improve equitable access to and success in postsecondary education, particularly for Black, Latinx, and Indigenous students, and students from low-income backgrounds.

    The funding will boost efforts to close equity gaps and make a college education more accessible and achievable for students in the Inland Empire. GIA will work with local colleges and universities to review current systems and processes and identify areas for improvement.

    This award from the ECMC Foundation complements GIA’s ongoing work as one of six Transformation Intermediaries selected by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to work on achieving postsecondary transformation at scale.

    “This grant will support our ongoing efforts to close equity gaps in higher education and ensure that race, ethnicity, and income are not predictors of postsecondary success,” said Ashish Vaidya, President and CEO of Growing Inland Achievement. “We are grateful to the ECMC Foundation for their generous support, which will allow us to engage experts who can help our regional colleges and universities make meaningful, lasting changes.”

    The ECMC Foundation grant will help GIA support schools in improving systems, policies, and processes that positively impact students. The funding will be used to bring in regional and national experts to provide training, coaching, and ongoing support as colleges and universities make these changes. The goal is to create student-centered systems focusing on long-term improvements rather than short-term fixes.

    GIA works closely with local college leaders to identify barriers that contribute to inequities and gaps in student outcomes. This process involves assessing current practices and evaluating strategic plans to provide targeted support in key areas such as academic advising, digital learning, strategic finance, and institutional research. These efforts aim to create an environment where students, especially those from underserved communities, can succeed. As a regional K-16 collaborative, GIA supports these efforts and addresses the unique needs of institutions in the Inland Empire.

    “ECMC Foundation is pleased to partner with Growing Inland Achievement in its mission to improve educational and economic outcomes in the Inland Empire,” said Jacob Fraire, President of the ECMC Foundation. By supporting this initiative, we are investing in the potential of education systems to advance equitable policies and practices to better serve students.”

     

    About Growing Inland Achievement

    Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) serves the Inland Empire region of Southern California—the 12th largest metropolitan area in the U.S., including over 4.7 million residents and over one million students. GIA supports a network of education, government, nonprofit, and business partners working together to achieve a shared vision of educational and economic success. GIA’s vision is that by 2035, San Bernardino and Riverside Counties will be known for their educated workforce, thriving communities, and vibrant economy that creates prosperity for all.

     

    About ECMC Foundation

    ECMC Foundation is a national foundation whose North Star goal is to eliminate equity gaps in postsecondary completion by 2040 so that underserved learners have greater opportunities for social and economic mobility. The Foundation’s mission is to improve higher education for career success among underserved populations through evidence-based innovation. ECMC Foundation makes strategic grants and program-related investments to support both nonprofit and for-profit ventures, guided by a strategic framework that aims to advance systemic change by removing barriers to postsecondary completion, building the capacity of organizations, institutions and systems, and transforming the postsecondary ecosystem. Learn more about ECMC Foundation by visiting www.ecmcfoundation.org and our parent company, ECMC Group, by visiting www.ecmcgroup.org.”

  • Growing Inland Achievement Accelerates Supports for Students and Families Amid Financial Aid Challenges

    Growing Inland Achievement Accelerates Supports for Students and Families Amid Financial Aid Challenges

    Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) supports local students and families in navigating college financial aid applications with online office hours, outreach campaigns, and a new resource website, IEsuccess.org.

    Yajahira Young Tafolla pictured filling out online financial aid forms at her home in Pomona, CA.

    Yajahira Young Tafolla, a 24-year-old from Pomona, CA, is the first in her family to attend college. Like many students, she relies on financial aid to fund her education. This year, however, she faced unique challenges in completing her financial aid application due to delays and complications with the online form. Yajahira received support and guidance by attending GIA’s online office hours and an in-person Cash for College workshop at California State University, San Bernardino, which helped her successfully navigate the financial aid process and submit her application.

    This year has been particularly challenging for students like Yajahira. The FAFSA Simplification Act, part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, aimed to make federal student aid more accessible by streamlining the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form and expanding Pell Grant eligibility. However, the rollout of the new form has been fraught with delays and technical issues. As of July 5, 2024, the Inland Empire has seen 4,752 fewer FAFSA submissions compared to the same time last year, representing a 12.1% decrease, according to NCAN’s FAFSA Tracker.

    In response to challenges and decreases in application numbers nationwide, the U.S. Department of Education launched a national effort to promote financial aid, encouraging students to apply for billions of available funds. Students interested in attending a California Community College have until September 3, 2024, to apply for funding to help cover their higher education costs for the 2024-2025 academic year.

    “The completion of financial aid applications is a critical leading indicator of college enrollment,” said Ann Marie Sakrekoff, COO of GIA. “As more students complete financial aid applications, we also see more students enrolling in postsecondary education. This is particularly important for the Inland Empire, where the community has established a vision of increasing equitable educational attainment to fuel local prosperity and regional economic success.”

    As the Cash4College (C4C) Regional Coordinating Organization for the Inland Empire, GIA supports hundreds of financial aid workshops annually, offers live support through free online office hours, and promotes awareness of financial assistance through communication outreach campaigns. A recent $234,840 award from the Educational Credit Management Corporation has enabled GIA to accelerate these efforts through August 31, 2024.

    “We’re currently hosting live office hours for support, running several digital campaigns, and publishing website resources in multiple languages to help inform Inland Empire students and families of financial aid opportunities,” said Jake Poore, GIA Director of Communications. “GIA recently launched IEsuccess.org, a website offering resources for college education exploration. This platform includes step-by-step guides for financial aid applications, a directory of Inland Empire colleges, and tips and tools for choosing and succeeding in college.”

    “When the community works together to provide the right resources and guidance for students, we can make a dramatic difference in their access to college,” Added Sakrekoff. “We are grateful for all our regional partners working collaboratively across sectors to support student success. Together, we can make a real difference for students like Yajahira in achieving their educational and career goals.”

    For more information about GIA, visit inlandempiregia.org
    For more information about Inland Empire college and financial aid resources, visit iesuccess.org

    About Growing Inland Achievement (GIA)
    Growing Inland Achievement is a regional K-16 collaborative organization focused on improving educational and economic outcomes in the Inland Empire. Through collaboration with various regional stakeholders, GIA aims to create a thriving community where all residents can access quality education and economic opportunities.

  • Growing Inland Achievement Receives $25,000 BofA Grant for its Adult Continuing Education / Completion Program in the Inland Empire to Expand Access to Adult Education

    Growing Inland Achievement Receives $25,000 BofA Grant for its Adult Continuing Education / Completion Program in the Inland Empire to Expand Access to Adult Education

    Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) is pleased to announce a $25,000 grant from Bank of America to support its campaign to reconnect Inland Empire adults with postsecondary education opportunities.

    With ongoing support from Bank of America, which began in 2018, GIA has prioritized the Inland Empire adult learner population through its Returning Adult Action Network Team (RE ANT), focusing on research, sharing regional successes, and piloting returning adult support initiatives.

    The program reaches out to adults by messaging them about degree or credential completion opportunities and providing the necessary resources for prospective students to return.

    “We are incredibly grateful to Bank of America for their continued support,” said Ashish Vaidya, President & CEO of GIA. “This continued partnership will enable us to further expand GIA’s returning adult education initiatives and significantly impact the community, particularly in the areas of educational access and equity.”

    “Helping adults with no degree or credential return to school to achieve their educational goals can significantly impact their economic security and prosperity,” said Ida Hermosillo, Director of Network Engagement at GIA. “Sometimes prospective students just need a little guidance and a reminder that returning to school is achievable. We appreciate Bank of America’s ongoing partnership to help us facilitate those connections.”

    “One of the biggest challenges to the economic future of the Inland Empire continues to be the education gap, as employers and the growing jobs sector struggle to hire workers with necessary skills and educational background. That is why the work of Growing Inland Achievement is so critical right now,” said Bansree Parikh, Bank of America Inland Empire president. “GIA is an important partner in our focus on workforce development.”   

    About Growing Inland Achievement (GIA)
    Growing Inland Achievement is a regional K-16 collaborative organization focused on improving educational and economic outcomes in the Inland Empire. Through collaboration with various regional stakeholders, GIA aims to create a thriving community where all residents can access quality education and economic opportunities.

  • GIA Receives $234,840 Award to Enhance Financial Aid Awareness and Completion in the Inland Empire

    GIA Receives $234,840 Award to Enhance Financial Aid Awareness and Completion in the Inland Empire

    Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) has received a grant of $234,840 to support financial aid awareness and completion efforts in the Inland Empire. Administered by Educational Credit Management Corporation, this funding is part of the U.S. Department of Education’s FAFSA Student Support Strategy, which includes $50M in funding distributed nationwide to address delays and challenges associated with the new 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and California Dream Act Application (CADAA) forms.

    The U.S. Department of Education’s FAFSA Student Support Strategy aims to increase the number of students completing the 2024-25 FAFSA and CADAA applications, particularly first-time college students and students from underserved communities. Since the FAFSA form became available on December 30, 2023, more than 8.95 million have been successfully submitted. However, the new application’s changes in eligibility criteria, terminology, and submission timeline have created significant barriers for many students and their families, resulting in much lower submission numbers than in previous years.

    Like many other metro areas in the U.S., recent data shows financial aid application submissions in the Inland Empire have dropped considerably compared to previous years.

    “As of the end of May, we have 13.2% fewer applications submitted by students in the Inland Empire compared to the same time last year,” said Dr. Sorrel Stielstra, Director of Research at GIA. “While the numbers have been improving in recent weeks, this funding is critical to help continue to close the completion gap and get financial aid dollars into the hands of as many students as possible.”

    Supporting Students and Families in the Inland Empire

    GIA has a proven track record in supporting financial aid completion. As the Cash4College (C4C) Regional Coordinating Organization for the Inland Empire, GIA supports hundreds of financial aid workshops annually for students and families, hosts office hours for live support, and promotes financial aid awareness through communication campaigns.

    GIA staff distributing a scholarship check to a local student during a Cash for College event.

    “This funding will enable GIA to accelerate critical financial aid support to students and families in the Inland Empire over the next three months,” said Julissa Loza Mendez, Assistant Director of Network Engagement and Cash for College Regional Coordinator at GIA. “We will continue to reach as many students and families in the Inland Empire as possible.”

    Support provided by GIA will include extended live office hours for assistance with financial aid applications, submission clinics in partnership with local schools, districts, and community organizations, and enhanced communication outreach to parents and students through multiple channels.

    GIA staff and community partners after a financial aid workshop with students at Montclair High School.

    “Growing Inland Achievement is committed to ensuring that every student in the Inland Empire has the resources and support they need to access higher education,” said Ashish Vaidya, President and CEO of GIA. “This award will enable us to expand our efforts and reach even more students and families, helping to close the financial aid gap and promote educational equity in our region.”

    For more information about GIA’s initiatives and the impact of this award, please contact Jake Poore, Director of Communication, at jake@gia.echofactory.dev.

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    About Growing Inland Achievement (GIA)

    Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) is a regional K-16 collaborative dedicated to achieving educational and economic equity in the Inland Empire. GIA facilitates partnerships with schools, colleges, universities, and community organizations to improve educational outcomes and support students and families. For more information, visit InlandEmpireGIA.org.