Borrego Valley Endowment Fund Receives Donation of Frugal Coyote

Thanks to the generosity of The Wermers

On January 1, 2023, the Borrego Valley Endowment Fund (BVEF) received a generous donation of the Frugal Coyote Boutique and Resale Shop from long-time community benefactors Anne and Jim Wermers. After a thorough assessment, the Wermers and the BVEF agreed that this was the best course of action to ensure that the Frugal Coyote would continue its philanthropic mission in Borrego Springs.

The Frugal Coyote has been serving the Borrego Springs community since the early 1990s, with various locations. Initially an independent nonprofit, the Frugal Coyote merged with the Children’s Center in the 1990s, and was eventually acquired by the Borrego Community Healthcare Foundation (BCHF) in the early 2000s. However, in 2021, BCHF had to withdraw its ownership due to legal and regulatory challenges, which put the Frugal Coyote at risk of closing.

To prevent the Frugal Coyote from shutting down, the Borrego Springs Youth and Seniors Center took the Children’s Center under its nonprofit umbrella. At the same time, the Wermers stepped in to provide a new home for the Frugal Coyote. Although it was unclear whether the Frugal Coyote was profitable, the Wermers set up an independent accounting system and pledged all profits to local nonprofits. In the last quarter of 2021, Frugal generated a cash flow of $24,000, which was donated to the Children’s Center.

Thanks to the Wermers’ generosity and dedication, the Frugal Coyote will continue to serve the Borrego Springs community under the BVEF’s ownership.

What Is The Frugal Coyote?

For 25 years, the Frugal Coyote Boutique & Resale Shop has been a beloved destination in Borrego Springs for those in search of unique treasures, new and used items, clothing, books, artwork, and even new-release DVDs. Starting from our humble beginnings as a thrift shop on Montezuma Road, we have now found a new home in the Center Plaza, where we continue to offer a wide range of items, including bicycles, household goods, kitchen appliances, glassware, furniture, lamps, linens, and bedding, to name a few.

Their success is made possible by the generous donations from the community and volunteers who have dedicated their time and effort to make Frugal Coyote Boutique & Resale Shop one-of-a-kind among Borrego shops and a valuable asset to the Children’s Center. As a nonprofit organization under code section 501(C)(3), donations to Frugal Coyote Boutique & Resale Shop are tax deductible. Every dollar they raise directly benefits the Borrego Springs Children’s Center, which provides preschool, full-day, and half-day care for children in the community, as well as after-school care for Head Start Kindergarten children.

who is Borrego Valley Endowment Fund (BVEF)?

The Borrego Valley Endowment Fund (BVEF) is a nonprofit organization supporting the Borrego Springs community in Southern California. The BVEF was established in 1999 by a group of local residents committed to providing sustainable financial support for local charitable organizations, schools, and community programs.

The BVEF manages an endowment fund that generates income through investments, distributed to local organizations through grants and scholarships. Since its founding, the BVEF has distributed over $3 million to various organizations in Borrego Springs.

With the recent donation of the Frugal Coyote Boutique and Resale Shop from the Wermers, the BVEF will continue to expand its philanthropic mission and support the Borrego Springs community. The BVEF is committed to ensuring that the Frugal Coyote will continue to serve the community and contribute to the nonprofit sector in Borrego Springs.

The Borrego Valley Endowment Fund is a public, non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation operating in the Borrego Valley in Southeastern California.

P.O. Box 2714, Borrego Springs, CA 92004
587 Palm Canyon Drive, Suite 128

give@bvefund.org