Paulette Brown-Hinds comes from a family of community-minded individuals.

Paulette Brown-Hinds, a board member of The Community Foundation and publisher of the VOICE newspaper in Riverside, comes from a family of philanthropists and engaged community members. “It’s what we talk about at home and it was always part of our conversations and lifestyle.”

Brown-Hinds began volunteering with The Community Foundation as a member of the Youth Grantmakers Steering Committee. In 2014, the committee launched additional locations serving the Coachella Valley, San Bernardino, High Desert and Idyllwild.

The Youth Grantmakers have awarded over $227,000 to nonprofit agencies since its inception.

Brown-Hinds said her niece, Jordan Brown, was a member of the inaugural class of the San Bernardino Youth Grantmakers.

“She learned so much about working in a team, leadership and giving back to the community,” Brown-Hinds said. So our family tradition is now continuing on in the next generation.”

Brown-Hinds joined The Community Foundation board after her volunteer work with the Youth Grantmakers.

“Being asked to be a board member for The Community Foundation was an honor, but also a natural progression,” she said. I probably do as much volunteer work as I do work for pay.”

Established in 1941, The Community Foundation has grown from a small scholarship distribution committee in Riverside to a nationally accredited institution that serves the counties Riverside and San Bernardino and beyond.

Brown-Hinds believes Inland Empire nonprofits are doing excellent work in the community that is sometimes overshadowed by larger organizations outside the region.