The Borrego Valley Endowment Fund (BVEF) honored seven local nonprofit organizations at its annual Grant Awards Luncheon, held Friday, April 18, at The Palms at Indian Head. The event recognized the vital contributions these groups make to the community and celebrated the awarding of more than $98,000 in grant funding for 2025.
Since its founding in 1996, BVEF has worked to harness the power of philanthropy to create lasting benefits for the Borrego region. While its original mission focused on ensuring access to quality healthcare in Borrego Springs, in 2016 the fund broadened its scope to support a wider range of initiatives. Today, BVEF also backs programs that promote education, protect the environment, and serve vulnerable populations such as seniors and youth.
Each year, BVEF invites proposals from nonprofit organizations working in healthcare and other community-centered areas, including the arts, education, and environmental sustainability. After a thorough selection process, seven recipients were chosen for the 2025 grant cycle based on the impact and reach of their programs.
2025 Grant Recipients and Programs:
- BASIC – Funding for the Summer Learning Academy, focused on youth education.
- Borrego Art Institute – Support for agri-tourism and community education programs at the Art Park.
- Borrego Springs Community Resource Center – Assistance for the Food Bank and other community benefit initiatives.
- Borrego Springs Film Institute – Providing community access to high-quality cinema at the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center.
- Borrego Springs Music Festival – Support for the third annual festival and development of a music instruction studio for young learners.
- Borrego Ministers Association – Continued operation of the Food Coupon Program to support local families.
- Borrego Village Association – Implementation of a high school interpretation and internship program, along with CPR and first aid certification training.
The luncheon also served as an opportunity to thank the generous donors whose support makes these grants possible. It’s the tireless work of our nonprofit partners and the enduring generosity of our donors that make Borrego Springs such a wonderful place to live, work, and play.