Welcome to our annual publication!
In this issue you will learn about our organization and the services we provide to strengthen
nonprofits and communities. You will learn about some of the wonderful organizations we work
with and you will get to see who the great donors are who make our work possible.
Board of Directors
But what you might now see outright, is why we do what we do … work to strengthen our region’s
social service sector. So let me tell you …
In 2013 the US Census reported that the Inland Empire had the highest poverty rate among the nation’s 25 largest
metropolitan areas. Yikes! If ever there was a region that needed its nonprofit sector desperately, it is the Inland
Empire! With high levels of unemployment and poor health, low education levels and more than 60% of the population
considered low to moderate income, we direly need strong nonprofits that can help families be healthy, safe, and
prosperous.
We need strong organization that:
• Can serve vast numbers of people in need
• Are willing and able to work with others so resources are used most efficiently and effectively
• Are able to attract the kind of financial investments that will bring untapped billions of dollars to the region
• Provide top-notch services that deliver solutions to our communities’ critical issues
MATTHEW COUGHLIN
But currently our nonprofits are not strong!
Wells Fargo
While there are indeed great, effective organizations in the Inland Empire, the vast majority are small and lack the
resources required to support ever-increasing numbers of families who need help.
MARK HUTCHASON
Improving quality of life is why we work to strengthen nonprofits. To do so, we share our own expertise in nonprofit
management and fundraising by training hundreds of nonprofit professionals and volunteers each year. We also multiply
the effect of our own funding by providing training scholarships and resources to organizations that are unable to lift
themselves by their bootstraps. Unlike other programs, “AcademyGO” does not depend on the nonprofits that need help
to pay for the help they need.
LISA LAWRENCE
Moses House Ministries
SHIRLI DRIZ
Merrill Lynch
High Desert Community Foundation
At AcademyGO we have a vision of communities where the spirit of cooperation thrives, the social service sector is
strong, and critical needs are met. We want the Inland Empire to be a great place to live, work, do business, and raise a
family.
CHRISTOPHER B. LINDSAY
Personally, I also do this work because I have a special place in my heart for the people who work in nonprofit
organizations; both the volunteers who freely contribute their time and hard-earned dollars and step up to lead, and
the nonprofit professionals who are oft times underpaid and overburdened with the responsibilities of helping so many
people in need. Years ago I coined one of our taglines, “Helping amazing people change lives,” because I think nonprofit
professionals and volunteers are truly amazing and the unsung heroes of our communities.
RYAN MCEACHRON
So please read on to learn about all the amazing people doing good work in your community. And as the year-end giving
season approaches, I encourage you to GIVE LOCAL to help them make our communities strong and our quality of life
the best it can be.
AM Development Group
Please visit us soon!
Academy for Grassroots Organizations
StarFox Financial Services
ISU Insurance Services - ARMAC
ANDREA MITCHEL
VICI NAGEL
VALERIE SMITH
Vici Nagel is President/CEO of Academy for Grassroots Organizations Grassroots Organizations. During
her 30+ year career she has worked for a variety of charitable organizations, helped create a new nonprofit
agency and merge two nonprofits, received “Certified Fund Raising Executive” credential, and planned and
implemented many successful projects, fundraising campaigns, and events. She has trained hundreds of
nonprofit professionals in the art of fundraising and loves to mentor new fundraisers and nonprofit executives.
Her life’s goal is, “To glorify God with my life.”
Paula Swick Family Center at Yucca Loma
School
www.AcademyGO.com