THE desert's COMMUNITY FOUNDATION.
SERVING THE COACHELLA VALLEY SINCE 1999.
The Coachella Valley is home.
As a result, we have a deep understanding of its challenges and extraordinary potential.Through our partnerships with local donors, nonprofits and community members, we are dedicated to the promise of creating a strong and prosperous future for the region. We aim to be the philanthropic hub for non-profit organizations throughout Palm Springs Coachella Valley.
Join us in our mission of a healthy, educated, and prosperous Coachella Valley
WHAT IS A COMMUNITY FOUNDATION?
Community foundations are grantmaking public charities that are dedicated to improving the lives of people in a defined local geographic area. They bring together the financial resources of individuals, families, trusts, funds, and businesses to support effective nonprofits in their communities.
Desert Community Foundation is a member of the National Scholarship Providers Association
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Manuel Arrendondo
BOARD MEMBER
BOARD MEMBER
BOARD MEMBER
Sandra Comrie
BOARD MEMBER
Jeff Gonzalez
BOARD MEMBER
Dorothy Hamilton
BOARD MEMBER
Dan Kirby
BOARD MEMBER
Ricardo Loretta
BOARD MEMBER
Richard Oliphant
CHAIRMAN
Greg Sanders
BOARD MEMBER
Rosalin Schiller
BOARD MEMBER
Edward Tauber
BOARD MEMBER
Jack Shakely
BOARD MEMBER EMERITUS
William Powers
FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER
(1941 - 2020)
Ron Gother
FOUNDER
(1932 - 2013)
OUR STATS - OUR IMPACT
25 years
Serving the Coachella Valley
$121m
Assets Under Management
$25m+
Local Giving To Date
$2.9m
Scholarships Awarded this Year
1,600+
Students Sent to College
15,000+
University Semesters Funded
GET IN TOUCH
Mary Panesar, Executive Director
mpanesar@desertfoundation.org
760-674-9080
75-105 Merle Drive, Suite 300, Palm Desert, CA 92211
© 1999-2025 Desert Community Foundation
Desert Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization EIN 95-4725924
since 1999, serving the local communities of: palm springs, desert hot springs, thousand palms, cathedral city, rancho mirage, palm desert, bermuda dunes, indian wells, la quinta, indio, coachella, thermal, mecca & oasis
made with 💚 in palm desert, california
ma(760) 674-9080 desertfoundation.org