Wealth Academy Expands to Madera County
New partnership brings bilingual curriculum to three additional high schools.
$18MGrants Deployed
4,200+Families Served
86Partner Organizations
12County Reach
94%Program Retention
Our Mission
Philanthropy that multiplies community wealth
The Legacy Wealth Initiative Foundation champions financial education, asset-building, and community-led investment so Central Valley families can thrive across generations.
From Fresno's neighborhoods to rural San Joaquin towns, we fund programs that turn knowledge into lasting economic security.
Guiding Principles
Four commitments shaping every grant
Equity First
Prioritize communities historically excluded from wealth-building opportunities.
Education as Leverage
Financial literacy is the foundation of informed saving, investing, and entrepreneurship.
Community Voice
Residents define priorities; we fund what neighbors validate as meaningful.
Generational Impact
Measure success by outcomes that endure for children and grandchildren.
About Us
A Fresno foundation for lasting prosperity
Born from Central Valley leaders who saw wealth gaps widening, LWIF partners with credit unions, schools, and CDFIs to close them.
We operate independently while aligning with regional economic development goals — ensuring every dollar supports programs families use daily.
Our Timeline
Milestones in Central Valley philanthropy
- 2009Foundation established in Fresno to address intergenerational poverty.
- 2014First financial literacy endowment for Title I school partnerships.
- 2019Community investment fund launches — $6M deployed to date.
- 2023Youth wealth-building academies expand across 12 counties.
- 2026$18M cumulative grants; 4,200+ families supported.
Wealth is not only what you hold — it is what you pass forward. Every workshop, every small-business loan, every college savings match is a brick in a legacy our grandchildren will inherit with pride.ANDREWS DOLORES DENISE, Executive Director
Strategic Plan
2024–2029 priorities for Central Valley wealth
Expand bilingual financial literacy in Fresno Unified and rural districts — targeting 30% more participants in asset-building curricula by 2028.
Deploy $5M in community investment for worker-owned cooperatives, microenterprise, and neighborhood commercial revitalization along Blackstone and Kings Canyon corridors.
Advocate for inclusive banking, student debt relief, and first-time homebuyer supports aligned with California housing goals.
Grantmaking
Funding that fuels local wealth-building
Community Wealth Grants
Up to $25,000 for neighborhood-led asset-building initiatives.
College Savings Match
Matched contributions for 529 and CSA accounts in partner districts.
Small Business Fund
Low-interest capital and coaching for Fresno entrepreneurs.
Community Investment
Capital that stays in the Valley
We deploy patient capital to CDFIs, credit unions, and community land trusts — keeping wealth circulating locally.
Last year, $2.4M supported affordable commercial space and cooperative grocery models in southeast Fresno.
Financial Literacy
Knowledge as the first asset
Workshops on budgeting, credit repair, investing basics, and estate planning reach parents, teens, and seniors across Fresno County.
School Partnerships
Curriculum embedded in 22 campuses.
Adult Academies
Evening sessions in English and Spanish.
Health & Wellness
Wellbeing underpins economic security
Medical debt derails savings. We fund navigators, mental-health stipends, and healthy-food access tied to financial coaching.
Integrated clinics in Fresno report 40% fewer emergency withdrawals from family emergency funds among enrolled participants.
Arts & Culture
Culture as community capital
Heritage Economies
Grants for artisans and cultural entrepreneurs.
Creative Placemaking
Murals and markets that anchor neighborhood identity.
Youth Arts & Wealth
Teens learn pricing, contracts, and savings through creative projects.
Economic Mobility
Pathways from survival to stability
Earned income tax credit outreach, benefits enrollment, and wage-growth coaching help families move from crisis to cushion.
Our mobility cohorts average a 22% increase in net worth within 24 months of enrollment.
Youth & Families
Tomorrow's wealth starts today
Wealth academies teach saving, investing simulations, and entrepreneurship to middle- and high-school students — with parent engagement nights in Fresno and Clovis.
View Programs
Regional Work
Beyond Fresno — across the Valley
Programs extend to Madera, Merced, Tulare, and Kern counties through hub-and-spoke partners and mobile financial coaches.
Regional coalitions align data, share best practices, and advocate for Valley-specific policy at the state level.
Impact Metrics
Measuring prosperity, not just activity
+$4.2KAvg. Net Worth Gain
78%Credit Score Improvement
1,100Businesses Supported
92%Would Recommend
Annual Review
2025 Year in Review
Our latest report details grant distributions, participant demographics, and community investment outcomes across the Central Valley.
Download ReportCase Studies
Stories of legacy in motion
"LWIF matched our children's college savings — now both daughters are on track for four-year degrees without crushing debt." — The Morales Family, Fresno
"A $15,000 small-business grant and coaching helped me hire two employees and open a second location on Clinton Avenue." — Rosa T., restaurateur
"Our cooperative grocery on Kings Canyon serves 400 families weekly — seeded by LWIF community investment." — Southeast Fresno Neighbors United
Partners
Collaborators across the Valley
Fresno Unified, local CDFIs, United Way Fresno/Madera, Central Valley Community Foundation, credit unions, and workforce boards form our coalition for shared prosperity.
Governance
Accountable, community-aligned leadership
Our board brings expertise in finance, nonprofit management, community development, and education — meeting quarterly with public minutes.
Executive leadership: ANDREWS DOLORES DENISE, Executive Director.
Board of Directors
Stewards of mission and endowment
Maria Elena Castillo — Board Chair
Former CDFI executive; leads audit committee and investment policy review.
James Okonkwo — Treasurer
CPA with 20 years in nonprofit finance; oversees Form 990 and annual audit.
Patricia Nguyen — Community Representative
Southeast Fresno resident leader; chairs grant review subcommittee.
David Herrera — Secretary
Attorney specializing in philanthropic compliance and endowment law.
Ethics & Compliance
Standards that protect trust
Conflict of Interest Policy
Board and staff disclose financial interests annually; recusal enforced for related grant decisions.
Donor Bill of Rights
Donors receive transparency on use of funds and may designate program areas within IRS guidelines.
Non-Discrimination
Programs welcome participants regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, disability, or economic status.
Transparency
Open books, open communities
Form 990 filings, audited financials, and grant award lists are public. Trust is built through visibility.
News
Latest from LWIF
$1.2M Community Investment Round Announced
Focus on worker cooperatives and commercial corridor revitalization.
Events
Gatherings across Fresno
08Jun
Generational Wealth Summit
Full-day conference at Fresno Convention Center — registration open.
19Jun
Financial Literacy Fair
Free workshops for families at Frank H. Ball Community Center.
FAQ
Common questions
Who is eligible for grants?
501(c)(3) organizations, schools, and community groups serving Fresno and Central Valley residents. See Resources for criteria.
How do I join a financial literacy workshop?
Register online or call our office. Sessions are free and offered in English and Spanish.
How is LWIF funded?
Through individual donors, family foundations, corporate partners, and endowment returns.
Can I designate my donation?
Yes — toward education, community investment, youth, or general endowment within IRS guidelines.
Advisors
Expert counsel for lasting impact
Dr. Alicia Ramos
Wealth policy · UC Merced
Robert Kim, CFA
Endowment strategy
Sandra Okello
Community finance
Fresno Roots
Our home in California's heartland
From the Sierra foothills to agricultural heartland, Fresno anchors our work — a diverse city where generational wealth must reach every neighborhood.
Contact
Reach our team
Legacy Wealth Initiative Foundation
241 N Laverne Ave Fresno, CA, 93727-6075 United States
ANDREWS DOLORES DENISE
+1-8778997091 andrewsdoloresdenise@levelupsp.us levelupsp.usOffice
Visit us in Fresno
Our headquarters at 241 N Laverne Ave welcomes visitors by appointment Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm Pacific.
Street parking and Valley RTA Line 26 serve the Laverne corridor. Virtual office hours available for rural partners.
Gallery
Legacy in the Central Valley
Newsletter
Stay informed
Monthly updates on grants, wealth-building resources, events, and Central Valley impact stories.