Who We Are
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Lift to Rise is powered by people driven to make a difference.
Founded in 2014, Lift to Rise grew out of the belief that, through collaboration between private and public sector leaders and community advocates, we can create greater impact for our Coachella Valley communities.
Our organization addresses the underlying causes and consequences of inequities in the Coachella Valley by uplifting our region’s story, building local strength, and instigating change.
During one of the early listening sessions we held across the region with residents to better understand immediate needs and prioritize strategic planning, an elder shared the story that inspired our name: “I came here. I work so hard in the fields every day because I believe that the Coachella Valley is a place where when the sun rises, it rises for everyone.” Our name honors this vision of hope and aspiration. We lift, so that everyone can rise.
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Lift to Rise is powered by people who believe that the Coachella Valley can and should be a place where all residents are healthy, stable, and thriving.







































Community: We believe that community voice and leadership must be central to planning, implementation, and evaluation of our work.
Racial Equity: We seek and value all types of diversity, and strive to dismantle inequities, including those present in ourselves, our organizations, and our communities.
Innovation: We believe change is possible, are not afraid to try new ways to solve old problems, and take initiative to learn, cross boundaries, and overcome obstacles.
Results: We set clear goals, measure progress, and use data informed by the community to make decisions and hold ourselves and each other accountable.
Servant Leadership: We build trust with partners, and seek to lift up and support the leadership and actions of others.
Belonging: We create teams and spaces where people feel care, practice empathy, and work through differences.
Lift to Rise is staffed with community leaders who bring a diverse range of personal and professional experience in support of our vision that all Coachella Valley families are healthy, stable, and thriving. Does this sound like you?
Intern Graphic Designer Palm Desert, CA
We are currently seeking a highly motivated, confident intern Graphic Designer who is a responsible team player with self-driven abilities- possess strong detailed skill in developing creative ideas and working in a fast-paced, fun, and exciting work environment and industry. An ideal candidate will create and inspire concepts for Lift to Rise projects using a wide range of mediums.
LEARN MOREDirector, Development Palm Desert, CA
Under the direction of, and in partnership with, the Chief Executive Officer, the Director of Development will support LTR’s revenue development goals through proposal writing and the management of philanthropic grant reports. This position will play a critical role in ensuring Lift to Rise secures, retains, and expands the philanthropic resources needed to advance the organization’s rapid growth and widening impact.
LEARN MOREAssociate Director, Communications Palm Desert, CA
The Associate Director, Communications will both develop and lead Lift to Rise’s communications, public relations, social media, branding, and external messaging. The position will play a critical role in a fast-growing nonprofit and is best suited for a leader who is a hardworking self-starter, powerful storyteller, goal-oriented strategist, and meticulous writer with a proven record of designing engagement through compelling ideas. This role will leverage, and grow, an online following to expand public awareness of LTR’s mission and work. The Associate Director, Communications will lead Lift to Rise’s communications priorities by creatively advancing the organization’s annual workplan through traditional media, digital content, and public relations strategies.
LEARN MOREProgram Coordinator Client Liaison Palm Desert
Program Coordinators support Lift to Rise’s strategic and operational objectives by performing program-related services and activities in support of Riverside County’s United Lift Rental Assistance program. In this role, a program coordinator will coordinate with tenants and landlords to process emergency rental assistance for persons experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Learn MoreThis dedicated team provides Lift to Rise with governance, expertise, and a deep understanding of the Coachella Valley and the work we’re doing to better it.
Jaime Alonso
Grid Alternatives
Bea Gonzalez
Coordinator, Expanded Learning Programs, Coachella Valley Unified School District
Matt Horton
Director, Milken Institute, Center for Regional Economics and California Center
Chris Kennen
Chief Creative Officer, Brand IQ
Gary Painter
Professor and Director, USC Sol Price School of Public Policy
Nadia Villagrán
Director of Fund Development and Strategic Partnerships, Rural Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)
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“We definitely have a housing crisis, and it affects our community in so many ways. If you don’t have a place to come home to—if you don’t have your basic needs met—your body and your mind cannot rest.”
— Bea Gonzalez, CVUSD Programs Coordinator currently serving as a Lift to Rise board member.
Our CAN Co-chairs are selected by Lift to Rise and CAN members and are responsible for facilitating the monthly CAN and workgroup meetings, supporting Lift to Rise staff in engaging CAN members towards the implementation of strategies, and introducing additional stakeholders to the Housing CAN who will lead and contribute to the strategies identified.
Housing Stability Co-chairs
Mike Walsh
Deputy Director, Riverside County Housing Authority
Economic Mobility Co-chairs
Carrie Harmon
Assistant Director, Riverside County Housing and Workforce Solutions
Conrado Barzaga
Chief Executive Officer, Desert Health Care District & Foundation
Table Co-Chairs
Our Resident Leadership Table (RLT) Co-chairs are selected by Lift to Rise and are responsible for co-facilitating the monthly RLT and workgroup meetings, supporting Lift to Rise staff in engaging RLT members towards the implementation of strategies, and introducing additional stakeholders to the RLT who will lead and contribute to the strategies identified.
Sarah Mosely
Early Childhood Education Educator
College of the Desert
Christian Rodriguez
Lift to Rise is grateful to receive support and resources from a variety of sources.
Abode Communities
California Forward
California State University San Bernardino
Century Housing
Chase Bank
CHOC Housing
City of Palm Desert
City of Rancho Mirage
City of Indio
City of Coachella
City of Palm Springs
City of Indian Wells
City of La Quinta
City of Desert Hot Springs
City of Cathedral City
Coachella Valley Housing Coalition
Coachella Valley Rescue Mission
Coachella Valley Association of Governments
Coachella Valley Water District
Coachella Valley Unified School District
College of the Desert
Communities for a New California
Council o Mexican Federations in North America (COFEM)
Desert Aids Project
Desert Healthcare District
Desert Highland Gateway Estates
Desert Sands Unified School District
Desert Valley Builders Association
ECV for Change
First 5 Riverside
FIELD Farmworker Institute
Galilee Center
Habitat for Humanity
Hope Through Housing Foundation
IEGO
Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice
Inland Empire Community Foundation
Inland Equity Partnership
Inland Socal Housing Collective
Inland SoCal United Way
InnerCare (formerly Clinicas de Salud del Pueblo)
Jewish Family Services
Jamboree Housing
Low Income Investment Fund
MSA Consulting
NPHSINC
National CORE
One Future Coachella Valley
Pacific Western Bank
Palm Creek Ranch
Palm Communities
Palm Springs Black History Committee
Palm Springs Unified School District
Parkview Legacy Foundation
RAP Foundation
Riverside Community Action Partnership
Riverside County Planning Department
Riverside County Housing and Workforce Solutions
Riverside County Economic Development Agency
Riverside County Office of Education
Riverside County Board of Supervisors District 4 V. Manuel Perez
Riverside University Health System
Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC)
Rural Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC)
SBX Youth and Family Services
Southern California Association of Non-Profit Housing (SCANPH)
The Pacific Companies
TODEC
TruEvolution
United Way of the Desert
Uplift San Bernardino
Urban Housing Communities
Urban Institute
USC Sol Price Center for Social Innovation
Vision y Compromiso
Wells Fargo Foundation
West Hollywood Community Housing Corporation
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Our Resident Leadership Table (RLT) ensures that community members have a seat at the table in strategic planning, helps to build local advocacy muscles, and provides an opportunity for mutual learning.
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We Lift is revolutionizing the way affordable housing is financed in our community.
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We depend on community action, engagement, and involvement to meet our Action Plan goals. Learn how you can support your neighbors today!