EFCWest is working with the Imperial County Local Health Authority to help Valley nonprofits Keep Their Lights On in the face of COVID-19. This emergency program is open to all Imperial County 501c organizations, as well as non-incorporated community entities seeking 501c designation. The program includes: Weekly Emergency Funding Webinars and Weekly Nonprofit Capacity Building Webinars. In addition, participating nonprofits have access to a Google Drive folder that includes fundraising templates and other material, a regularly updated spreadsheet of funding opportunities, and PDFs of and video links to the weekly webinars. Finally, participating nonprofits can arrange “office hours” with EFCWest staff to receive direct consultation and assistance with their fundraising and other efforts.
Imperial County, located in the southeast corner of the state between San Diego and Arizona, is one of California’s lesser known counties. With a population of about 180,000 people, the county’s population is over 80% Hispanic and the primary economic driver is agriculture. With a median household income of $49,000 (about 2/3s of the average California income), 23% of the population live below the poverty line. As a result, this rural and physically isolated county struggles to provide services for the community. EFCWest has been working with the County since 2017, providing leadership and nonprofit capacity training to the local community members and organizations. We are proud to be supporting their efforts to Keep the Lights On.
