Alliance Healthcare Foundation Reimagines Philanthropic Giving with Unprecedented Transfer of Wealth to Imperial Valley Wellness Foundation 

 

$7.5 Million Contribution Will Support a Historically Disinvested Rural Community in Southern California in Perpetuity

 

At Alliance Healthcare Foundation (AHF), we have long been committed to addressing health and wellness disparities across Southern California. Today, we are proud to announce a transformative step in reimagining philanthropic giving: the transfer of roughly 10% of our endowment—totaling $7.5 million—to the Imperial Valley Wellness Foundation (IVWF). This move ensures that these funds will be locally held and managed in perpetuity, empowering the people of Imperial Valley to decide how best to allocate resources to support their community. See full press release here.

IVWF has been a trusted partner of AHF’s since 2017, when we first began investing in the organization through capacity-building support, technical assistance, and pass-through grants. While these efforts have contributed over $1.6 million to date, our latest commitment takes our collaboration to an unprecedented level. By ceding control of these funds to IVWF, we recognize that those who live and work in Imperial Valley are best positioned to address their region’s most pressing needs.

Why Imperial Valley?

The need in Imperial Valley is profound. This vast rural region, spanning 4,400 square miles between San Diego County and Arizona, faces some of the highest levels of poverty and unemployment in California. While the region ranks in the top 10% of U.S. agricultural sales, paradoxically, more than 30% of its children experience food insecurity. Additionally, Imperial County has some of the worst air quality in the country, leading to the highest rates of childhood asthma in the United States.

In addition to health inequality, Imperial County faces significant disparities in the allocation of philanthropic funds compared to other counties in the state. Despite its high levels of economic need, the county receives dramatically less philanthropic support on a per capita basis.

Per Capita Funding Disparities

Between 2021 and 2023, Imperial County received approximately $148 per resident in private grant funding. This amount is substantially lower than the state average and pales in comparison to counties like San Mateo and Marin, which received $14,260 and $8,621 per capita, respectively.

Addressing the inequitable distribution of philanthropic capital is crucial for fostering equitable development and improving the quality of life for residents in Imperial County.

Recognizing these challenges, as well as the incredible resiliency and innate wisdom of residents to know how best to address their own needs, IVWF operates as a Rural Development Hub, serving as a connector, convener, and change-maker in Imperial County. The organization plays a dual role as both a grantmaker and an intermediary for other funders, ensuring that resources are directed where they can have the greatest impact. Through initiatives focused on health and wellness, civic engagement, and nonprofit capacity building, IVWF is helping to shape a stronger, more resilient future for Imperial Valley residents. Moreover, its Learning Exchanges provide a platform for community members and organizations to share knowledge and develop collaborative solutions.

Trust-based Philanthropy and Shifting Power

“AHF firmly believes that true impact comes from empowering local communities,” said Sarah Lyman, Executive Director of AHF. “IVWF has demonstrated remarkable leadership and dedication, and we are honored to take this step in shifting power to those who understand the region’s challenges and incredible opportunities firsthand.”

 

 

 

Systemic Change in Philanthropy

This bold contribution marks a significant evolution in our relationship with IVWF—from that of a traditional grantor-grantee dynamic to a true partnership grounded in peer-to-peer learning. It is our belief that this model can serve as an example for other philanthropic institutions seeking to break from traditional top-down funding models in favor of locally driven, sustainable change.

“The most impactful community work happens when those who are directly affected have the ability to determine their own future,” said Roque Barros, Executive Director of IVWF. “AHF’s generosity and vision have provided us with the foundation to build something truly lasting for Imperial Valley, and we look forward to continuing our partnership in this new era.”

 

 

 

At AHF, we believe that philanthropy should be about more than just writing checks—it should be about building lasting partnerships that empower communities to thrive on their own terms. With this historic contribution, we reaffirm our commitment to creating equitable opportunities for all, and we hope to inspire other philanthropic organizations to consider similar bold actions in pursuit of systemic change.

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