Questions received from INSIDE the Morongo Basin
Where is the Basin Wide Foundation located?We can be found in the Morongo Basin portion of the Mojave Desert in Southern California. The Basin boarders the northern edge of the Joshua Tree National Park. What is the Foundation's area of influence?Our area of interest includes all of the Morongo Basin which is made up of the city of Twentynine Palms, the town of Yucca Valley, the village of Joshua Tree and the unincorporated areas of the Morongo Valley, the Homestead Valley, and Pioneertown. How do I get to the Morongo Basin?California State Route 62 runs east and west through the entire length of the Morongo Basin. State Route 247 approaches the Basin from the north and ends in the town of Yucca Valley. The Morongo Basin is approachable from both east and west on Interstate Highway 10. State Route 62 - located just west of the Palm Springs (Indian Canyon) exit on Interstate 10 - will get you to the Basin. Following signs for the California Welcome Center will get you here.
Where in the Morongo Basin is the Foundation located?The Foundation's administrative office is located in the California Welcome Center building in the Town of Yucca Valley. The Yucca Valley Chamber of Commerce is located in the same building. What is the Mission of your Foundation?It's reflected in our Statement which reads as follow: "Reaching out to the entire Morongo Basin seeking active opportunities to strengthen non-profit organizations by helping them to achieve their goals. Improving our quality of life by addressing economic, health, cultural and environmental community concerns. Partnering with philanthropic individuals, community leaders, and non-profit organizations to enhance individual lives in our Basin." Specifically, what is it that you do?The Foundation primarily views itself as facilitators. Unlike other Foundations, we are not endowed with vast amounts of cash we're able to offer deserving organizations. We are however, in a position to help non-profit organizations throughout the Morongo Basin by possibly directing them to such sources; helping with their own fund raising efforts and gathering the volunteer based resources that can be of assistance.
How long has the Foundation been in existence?The Foundation got its start as the Yucca Valley Foundation in 1996. While our original name reflected the town wherein we originated, our best intention has always been to serve the interests of the whole of the Morongo Basin. We changed our name in the year 2001, to better reflect that intent. How many people belong to your Foundation?As of the first of January, 79 individuals are listed as members of the Foundation - Which includes 12 family memberships. Additionally, the Foundation lists 9 corporations as members. Who's eligible to join the Foundation?Anyone who is interested in programs, facilities or events that help improve quality of life for any or all of the 31 communities that make up the Morongo Basin.
What is required to join?First and foremost - a genuine interest in the well being of the Morongo Basin and its many communities. The means for joining the Foundation - along with our various levels of membership - can be found on our Membership Application form that can be viewed by clicking onto 'Membership' to the left of this page. Does membership require active participation?Definitely not. By just being a member, your dues go a long way to support the operation of the Foundation. We are however, made up of various committees headed by our Board members who see our members as a pool of possible volunteers. The word 'volunteers' is key here What kinds of committees make up the Foundation?Space doesn't permit describing them all. They are however, divided into three types. They are 1) Administrative committees such as Membership, Financial, Marketing etc. 2) are the Community Service committees that oversee the Foundations ongoing commitments to serve the Basin - and 3) Exploratory committees that are looking into specific ways the Foundation might be able to help our communities in the future.
Do you have a history of accomplishments and what are they?We at the Foundation take great pride in the role we’ve chosen to play with our Morongo basin neighbors. The Foundations partners whenever and however it can to assist community good works to completion – most often by accumulating and coordinating available resources necessary to do the job. In our search for those projects with promise to enhance our quality of life in the Morongo Basin, the Foundation has made a commitment to build on our accomplishments…
In addition to membership dues, how does the Foundation support itself?The majority of the Foundation's financial support comes from the sale of donated real estate. Can the Foundation help a new non-profit organization get started in the Basin?The answer is no. While the Foundation is not directly involved with any business interests, it is in a position to provide whatever guidance it can to organizations and individuals seeking such assistance. The Foundation is here primarily to serve the needs of existing non-profit organizations in their ongoing efforts to maintain and/or improve the quality of life for residents of the Morongo Basin. I have questions about the Foundation that do not appear here - who can I talk to?You can call our Executive Director at (760) 365-7219 from Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. For our e-mail address and FAX number, see the bottom of any page of this web site. |
