Education Fund Frequently Asked Questions

Are cash or credit card donations to the Rancho La Quinta Education fund deductible?

Our Education Fund, through the Inland Empire Community Foundation is a qualified 501(c)(3) public charity. Any donation may be deductible depending upon the current law in effect at the time of your donation. Please check with your tax advisor for more specifics.

Can I use my IRA to make a donation to the Rancho La Quinta Education fund?

Yes you may, if you qualify. To see a discussion of the rules, Click Here. Please check with your tax advisor for more specifics.

Can I use appreciated securities to make a donation to the Rancho La Quinta Education fund?

Yes, but please check with your tax advisor for more specifics. Click Here for where to send your donation.

How are we organized?

We are a Donor Advised Fund with the Inland Empire Community Foundation. This means that we are using an already existing 501(c)(3) charity to administer our specific Fund. They hold the money and distribute it as we direct (subject to their oversight). This saves us the cost of forming and administering what would be a private foundation and gives us the tax advantage of a public charity donation deduction. Generally, the primary purpose of a community fund (community chest) is to provide just such services so that smaller donations are not lost in the vast cost of staffing and managing an exempt organization.

Who is "Inland Empire Community Foundation"?

The Inland Empire Community Foundation is the oldest and largest community foundation in Inland Southern California. Established in 1941, the Foundation has grown from a small scholarship distribution committee in Riverside to a nationally accredited institution that serves the communities of Riverside, San Bernardino and Coachella Valley.

What is a Community Foundation (Community Chest)?

A community foundation is a tax exempt, non-profit, publicly supported philanthropic organization with the long term goal of building permanent, named funds, for the broad-based public benefit of the residents in a given area.
 
The common mission of every community foundation is to enhance the quality of life in the local area. Community foundations carry out this very broad mission by building permanent endowment funds and using a portion of the annual income to support a variety of local nonprofit organizations through grants and special projects.
 
Most community foundation assets are held in separate funds established by local individuals, families, businesses, or charitable institutions. Each fund may have a special purpose, but the foundation board of directors, representing the community, oversees them all.
 
The IRS recognizes community foundations as public charities in part because they receive support from the general public and their boards broadly represent the areas served.

How does a Community Foundation work?

A community foundation is governed by a board of directors of community leaders and is administered by professional staff. Operating expenses are paid from an annual fund fee and from gifts designated by donors to cover foundation operating and program costs. Our Rancho La Quinta Education Fund pays the Inland Empire Community Foundation annually the greater of $1,500 or 3% of the balance of our fund.

What are the tax advantages of donating to a Community Foundation?

A community foundation offers the best tax advantages for charitable donations available under law. Community foundations are publicly-supported non-profit organizations, qualified under section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code. By avoiding classification as a private foundation, a community foundation is able to offer greater tax advantages than does a private foundation.

How are award recipients selected?

The selection committee appointed by the Inland Empire Community Foundation (non-members of the RLQ Education Committee) will select the award recipients. It is the intention to provide an award to each applicant who is eligible and meets the application requirements. The amount of the award will depend on the need of the applicant and the amount the RLQ Education Fund Committee has determined is available for distribution each year. The minimum award is $2,000. Awards are for one scholastic term or year. Previous recipients may apply for subsequent awards if they are students in good standing and the employee continues to meet the eligibility requirements. Applicants will receive notification from the Inland Empire Community Foundation in June as to the award amount. Checks are made payable to the accredited institution.

Who is eligible to apply?

Employees of Rancho La Quinta who have worked a minimum of 1,000 hours in at least each of the past two years prior to submission of the application.
 
Dependent children and spouses of eligible employees are eligible to apply for a scholarship.
 
Applicants should have graduated from high school or hold a GED.

What type of education and training programs are available?

Any type of education that results in a certification or a degree from an accredited institution such as a trade school, vocational training, community college, university or graduate program is eligible.

How do Employees apply?

In March, announcements will be made to all employee departments to encourage submittal of an application. Employee meetings will be held within each department to explain the program to employees and provide them with pertinent information and applications to be submitted by employee or employee's dependent child to the HOA/Club office. Once HOA/Club management has signed off on the application, it is then sent to Inland Empire Community Foundation for their review. 
 
Applications are available on-line for both Rancho La Quinta scholarships as well as many other scholarships available from Inland Empire Community Foundation at​​​ https://www.iegives.org/students/overview/.