MORONGO INDIAN RESERVATION (April 22, 2024) – The Morongo Band of Mission Indians awarded a record $500,000 in grants to dozens of non-profit organizations serving local communities as part of the 3rd Annual Morongo Community Outreach Awards Luncheon, held Thursday, April 18.
The 79 non-profits groups receiving grants represented a wide array of organizations across Riverside and San Bernardino counties, including those involved with Native American culture, social services, education, hospitals or health organizations, and groups supporting veterans and military families.
This year’s grants totaled $500,000 – the largest amount ever given through Morongo’s annual Community Outreach Awards program. With this year’s awards, the program has awarded nearly $900,000 in grants in three years.
“At Morongo, our commitment to giving has always defined our Tribe as we help address societal needs, foster a sense of community, and bring about positive change,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin. “Our annual Community Outreach Awards program allows us to live our values by providing support to dozens of inspiring non-profit organizations who selflessly serve others in need throughout the Inland region.“
Launched in 2022, the Morongo Community Outreach Awards Program supports the work of non-profit organizations across the Inland Empire and Southern California by providing grants of up to $5,000 each to recipient groups..
“We are so thankful to the Morongo Band of Mission Indians for their generous support of our work to provide low and no-cost services to support local patients, care partners and families navigating the challenges of dementia-related conditions,” said Dominick Calvano, Board President for Alzheimers Coachella Valley.
Groups that received awards from Morongo hailed from across the Inland region, ranging from Carol’s Kitchen in the San Gorgonio Pass communities to Rainbolt RiteCare Childhood Language Center in San Bernardino to the Galilee Center in Mecca to Olive Crest of Palm Desert and Angel View of Cathedral City.
“We are honored to receive the Morongo Community Outreach Awards Grant which will help us provide educational youth programs, social-emotional development, food outreach services, health and wellness resources, and creative arts to underserved communities,” said Brittany Hunter, Founder/CEO of Power Speaks Louder of Moreno Valley.
During the luncheon, award recipients were recognized for their exceptional service to strengthening the quality of life in the San Gorgonio Pass, the Coachella Valley and across Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
“Morongo’s generosity will enable our group to continue our work to offer fun, welcoming activities to people with special needs in our community and their families to gather, socialize and support each other in a caring and safe environment,” said DeAnn Dobbins, president of DeAnn’s PAASS Kids in Banning, Calif.
Morongo’s Community Outreach Awards Program aligns with the Tribe’s ongoing philanthropic efforts. 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 the surrounding regions, as well as greater Southern California.
For information about the 2025 Community Outreach Awards program, groups are encouraged to visit www.morongonation.org/donations/