San Manuel Nation Distributes $13.7 Million to 173 Nonprofits

The tribe's San Manuel Cares program focuses on four primary pillars: education, empowerment, community resilience, and cultural preservation. Indigenous-led organizations are central to this year's distribution, accounting for 43% of the recipients and 57% of the total financial commitment. Chairwoman Lynn Valbuena noted that the grants serve as a continuation of ancestral traditions of mutual support and compassion.

Recipients span a diverse range of operational needs. The Indian Law Resource Center will utilize funds for legal advocacy, while the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools is set to expand regional apprenticeship pathways. Additional funding supports critical local infrastructure, including a 24/7 sexual assault resiliency program at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Apple Valley and the specialized search-and-rescue operations of 4Corners K9.

This latest cycle maintains a long-term trajectory of tribal philanthropy. Since the early 2000s, the community has contributed nearly $500 million to various nonprofits. These investments reinforce the tribe's role as a sovereign partner in the San Bernardino region, focusing on programs that address both immediate social needs and long-term economic development.