working together

For Inland Empire Educational & Economic Success

Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) is a regional, collective impact organization that works to achieve educational and economic equity in the Inland Empire. GIA accomplishes this by serving as a collective impact (backbone) organization that supports a cross-sector network of education, government, nonprofit, and business institutions in the Inland Empire who are all collectively working towards a shared vision of educational and economic success. GIA researches issues and opportunities, resources innovations and solutions, and connects diverse stakeholders across the two-county region of the Inland Empire. GIA’s vision is that by 2035, San Bernardino and Riverside Counties will be widely recognized for their educated workforce, thriving communities, and vibrant economy that creates prosperity for all. Everyone who lives, works, studies, and conducts business in the Inland Empire plays a critical role in achieving GIA’s vision. Thank you for your collaboration and support.

Learn More About GIA

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Join our newsletter to stay up to date on educational news and information that impacts the Inland Empire region. Subscribers receive insights on the impact of network initiatives, news, information, tools, and resources. Transformation is achievable if we work together.

GIA 5 year report

GIA’s STRATEGIC PLAN

Our strategic plan points the way forward for achieving the mission and vision of GIA over the next 5-years. The plan was approved by GIA’s Board of Directors and published in October of 2020.

View the strategic plan

News & announcements

GIA Welcomes Two New Employees

GIA Welcomes Two New Employees

Photos of Michael Wangler and Alejandra GomezGrowing Inland Achievement (GIA) is pleased to announce the addition of two new team members who began working in early...

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our challenge & opportunity

The Inland Empire Region

Challenge: The Inland Empire is one of the most populous regions in California, with 4.5 million people, yet its students are less likely to earn college degrees than the average Californian. According to recent data from College Futures Foundation, for every 1,000 high school freshmen in the Inland Empire, only 151 will complete a BA degree. According to Data USA, the result of this is a regional poverty rate of 17.5%, and median household income of $56,087.

Opportunity: The projected workforce demand for Inland students with baccalaureate degrees will outweigh our labor supply by almost 2.3x in the next few years. Increasing the number of students with baccalaureate degrees is the solution. Increased degree attainment will benefit our students and regional businesses by filling the gap in projected bi-county workforce demand while increasing average household income.

The Inland Empire Region

The IE (4,622,361) represents 11.6% of the State’s population (39,557,045), 4.4% less than the Central Valley’s population. 

The IE is the nation’s 13th largest metropolitan area. If the IE were a state it would rank 25th in terms of population, just above Kentucky, and rank 40th in terms of area.   

SB County alone is the largest county in the contiguous US, and is larger than New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware and Rhode Island combined. 

Increasing our Educational Attainment

The IE produces 12% of California’s college-ready high school graduates… 

BUT only 6% of the state’s BA degrees.

And even though the IE is 51% Hispanic, only 10% have a college degree. Both individuals and the labor market need more higher educational opportunities to spur Inland economic success.

The Projected Labor Market Gap

In 2030, California is projected to face a labor market gap of nearly 1.8 million jobs.

Over 1/3 of the 2030 labor market gap is expected to be in three regions, Los Angeles (425k gap), Inland Empire (141k gap) and Central Valley (74k gap).

In the Inland Empire, 43% of the projected unfilled jobs will require a bachelor’s degree. 

Working Together on Solutions

We recognize that the best way to close the labor market gap is by increasing the number of bachelor degree conferrals in the region. We also recognize that the most effective way to spur economic success in this way is by partnering with a network of regional and national leaders across sectors and industries to jointly work on solutions.

GIA acts as a connector, researcher, and facilitator to create a network that focuses on issues impacting educational success for Inland students. To solve these educational problems, GIA brings together organizational and institutional leaders through Innovation Awards and Action Network Teams.

GIA REGIONAL GOALS

Increase educational attainment, with specific emphasis on accelerating success for historically marginalized student groups.

Foster an efficient, high-quality education system that creates equitable access for all students.

Build equitable structures in education to eradicate systemic racism.

Fuel a robust future economy that increases equitable career opportunities and employment.

Eliminate the chasms in wealth, income, and poverty rate which disproportionately affect people of color.