Top 15 Nonprofits in Riverside–San Bernardino Helping with Rent, Food, and Bills in 2027
The Inland Empire used to be Southern California's affordable option, but rents have climbed fast and desert summers can send electric bills soaring. If you're behind on rent, staring at a shutoff notice, or stretching groceries thin, you're not alone, and there's real help across the region.
This guide covers the whole metro: Riverside and San Bernardino counties, from the West End and Inland Valley to the Coachella Valley and High Desert. We focused on nonprofits with structured help for rent, utility and water bills, food, and free eviction legal aid.
Many programs serve specific cities, and rent and energy funds open and close as money comes in. Call early, ask what's open right now, and keep your ID, lease, and bills ready. Details reflect what each organization publishes as of October 2026.
How We Chose These Nonprofits in Riverside–San Bernardino
We included 501(c)(3) nonprofits, including faith-based charities like Catholic Charities and Lutheran Social Services. Each one serves the metro, runs a structured aid program, and publishes clear contact info. We ranked them on Impact, Accessibility, Reputation, Transparency, and Equity (serving people regardless of faith, status, or background).
We gave extra weight to rent and utility help, not just food, and spread picks across both counties. We did not use Google ratings; trust signals come from each organization's own published information as of October 2026.
1. Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County
Utility bill credits and a food bank for San Bernardino County.
Primary assistance: Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) utility credits, food bank distributions
Best for: Low-income San Bernardino County households behind on gas, electric, wood, or propane bills
How to get help: Book online or call (909) 723-1500, option 2; food bank 909-723-1581; utility assistance
The next appointment period opens October 16, 2026, at 8 a.m., and slots fill quickly. If utilities are included in your rent, you may get a check instead of a bill credit.
Trust signals: A private nonprofit and the county's designated Community Action Agency since 1965.
2. Lutheran Social Services of Southern California
Eviction prevention and utility shutoff help in both counties.
Primary assistance: Eviction prevention case management, partial utility subsidies, community meals, men's shelter
Best for: Riverside and San Bernardino County households facing eviction or a shutoff
How to get help: (877) 577-7267 or info@LSSSC.org; services
Utility help is a partial subsidy paid directly to the utility company to avoid a shutoff. Volunteers served more than 80,000 community meals in San Bernardino.
Trust signals: A registered 501(c)(3); posts its financials.
3. Catholic Charities San Bernardino & Riverside Counties
Food, utility aid, and CalFresh help at four regional centers.
Primary assistance: Hunger relief, utility aid, CalFresh application help, disaster financial assistance
Best for: Residents of both counties who need food or help with a bill
How to get help: (909) 388-1240, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; 1441 N. D St., San Bernardino; get help
Centers are in San Bernardino, Riverside (3020 Madison St.), Coachella, and Upland. After a disaster, it can help with rent, utilities, and essential expenses.
Trust signals: Serving both counties for over 46 years, regardless of faith or background.
4. Inland SoCal United Way
The region's 211 line plus water bill help.
Primary assistance: 211 referrals, Help2Others water bill assistance
Best for: Anyone in the metro looking for help; Riverside County water customers facing a shutoff
How to get help: Call 211; office (909) 751-1180; Help2Others
Participating water districts offer up to $300 in credits, and the amount varies by agency. Its emergency rental assistance programs are closed, so call 211 for current rent help.
Trust signals: Runs 211 for both Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
5. Coachella Valley Rescue Mission
Rapid rehousing with rental assistance, plus emergency shelter.
Primary assistance: Rapid rehousing with rental assistance, emergency shelter, meals, case management
Best for: Riverside County residents experiencing homelessness, especially in the Coachella Valley
How to get help: Intake line 760-851-2160; main 760-347-3512; 47-470 Van Buren St., Indio; cvrm.org
Its Housing Department helps any Riverside County resident move into permanent housing with rental assistance and support.
Trust signals: Founded in 1971; up to 200 long-term program beds and a 75-bed emergency shelter.
6. Inland Counties Legal Services
Free eviction defense across both counties.
Primary assistance: Eviction and foreclosure defense, Section 8 terminations, tenant advice, unlawful detainer clinics
Best for: Low-income tenants and seniors in Riverside and San Bernardino counties
How to get help: Intake (888) 245-4257; senior line (800) 977-4257; housing help
The housing hotline gives phone advice to applicants who qualify. Clinics run virtually and at several branch offices.
Trust signals: Serving since 1958.
7. Legal Aid Society of San Bernardino
Eviction defense and housing help for tenants.
Primary assistance: Eviction defense, unlawful detainer help, housing and homelessness legal help
Best for: Eligible tenants in San Bernardino and Riverside counties
How to get help: 909-889-7328; eviction defense
Depending on eligibility and resources, LASSB may give advice, clinic help, or full representation.
Trust signals: Founded in 1958 by local attorneys.
8. Fair Housing Council of Riverside County
Landlord-tenant mediation and foreclosure help in Riverside County.
Primary assistance: Landlord-tenant mediation, fair housing complaints, foreclosure prevention, credit counseling
Best for: Riverside County renters with repair, notice, or eviction disputes
How to get help: (951) 682-6581 or fhcrc@fairhousing.net; landlord-tenant services
FHCRC investigates complaints and tries to mediate disputes between tenants and landlords. It also runs workshops on evictions, repairs, and Section 8.
Trust signals: Working since 1986 to stop unlawful housing practices.
9. Inland Fair Housing and Mediation Board
Landlord-tenant help for San Bernardino County.
Primary assistance: Landlord-tenant rights information, mediation, housing counseling, senior services
Best for: Renters in San Bernardino County cities, plus Indio residents
How to get help: 1-800-321-0911 or info@ifhmb.com; Indio hotline 1-888-885-8020; landlord-tenant
Call if you've received a 3-day notice or need repairs. Services are available in English and Spanish.
Trust signals: A private nonprofit with trained mediators.
10. Foothill Family Shelter
Housing and walk-in help for West End families.
Primary assistance: 120-day housing program for homeless families, food, diapers, hygiene products
Best for: Low-income and homeless families in Upland, Ontario, Montclair, Rancho Cucamonga, and Chino
How to get help: (909) 920-0453; 1501 W. 9th St., Suite D, Upland; community help desk
The Community Help Desk offers food, diapers, and hygiene items. Families with children can apply for the housing program.
Trust signals: Providing housing and hope since 1984.
11. Martha's Village and Kitchen
An emergency pantry and support in the Coachella Valley.
Primary assistance: Emergency food pantry, meals, case management, cooling center
Best for: Coachella Valley families and individuals in a crisis
How to get help: 760.347.4741; 83-791 Date Ave., Indio; emergency assistance
The emergency pantry is open weekdays, 8–10 a.m. and 1–3 p.m. The cooling center is open daily, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
Trust signals: Posts its financials online.
12. Mary's Mercy Center
Free daily lunches and food bags in San Bernardino.
Primary assistance: Hot lunches, food bags, clothing, showers, transitional housing
Best for: Neighbors facing homelessness or hardship in San Bernardino
How to get help: (909) 889-2558; 641 Roberds Ave. N, San Bernardino; Mary's Table
Lunch is served Monday–Thursday and weekends, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m., except the first Sunday of the month.
Trust signals: Serves about 85,000 meals a year.
13. Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino
The Inland Empire's largest hunger-relief group.
Primary assistance: Free food through partner pantries, senior mobile pantries, home delivery, CalFresh help
Best for: Anyone in Riverside or San Bernardino County who needs groceries
How to get help: (951) 359-4757; find food
Distribution sites are free and open to the public. Dates vary, so check the calendar and call ahead.
Trust signals: Distributes over 20 million meals a year with nearly 250 partners; posts its Form 990.
14. FIND Food Bank
Food and CalFresh help for the Coachella Valley and desert.
Primary assistance: Mobile markets, partner pantries, CalFresh outreach and case management
Best for: Residents of eastern Riverside and southern San Bernardino counties
How to get help: find food now
FIND posts a monthly mobile market calendar in several languages. Its community health workers can help you sign up for CalFresh.
Trust signals: Distributed 21 million pounds of food in 2025 to about 122,000 people a month.
15. Family Service Association
Free meals and meal delivery for Inland Empire seniors.
Primary assistance: Senior group meals, home-delivered meals, child development, affordable housing
Best for: Older adults in Riverside and San Bernardino counties
How to get help: (951) 342-3057 for meal guidance; 951-686-1096; senior nutrition
FSA hosts group meals at 27 community sites. Riverside County seniors arrange delivery through the County Office on Aging at (951) 867-3800.
Trust signals: Serving since 1953; serves nearly one million meals a year.
Other Important Helplines and Resources in Riverside–San Bernardino
211: Call 211 any time, or search the Inland SoCal 211 database.
Riverside County utility help: The county-run Community Action Partnership of Riverside County takes utility assistance appointments at 951-848-7607.
CalFresh: Learn how CalFresh works at GetCalFresh, then apply on BenefitsCal.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Money stress is heavy. Call or text 988 any time, or visit 988lifeline.org.
Related Guides
Looking for more options? These guides cover nonprofits helping with rent, food, and utility bills in other major metros:
Closing Thoughts
Falling behind in the Inland Empire doesn't mean you messed up. Rent, utilities, and groceries are stacking up for a lot of families. Pick two or three groups from this list that serve your city, call early, and keep copies of your ID, lease, and bills ready.
If you've been served eviction papers, call legal aid the same day. You deserve help, and asking for it is a power move.
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