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Frugal Coyote is looking for an experienced retail leader to help shape our next chapter. he ideal candidate. has thrift or retail management experience, strong merchandising skills, and fresh ideas for growing sales and creating a welcoming community shopping destination.

Position Description:

Retail & Operations Manager
Frugal Coyote
A Program of the Borrego Valley Endowment Fund

Reports to
Executive Director

Position Type
Full-Time

About Frugal Coyote
Frugal Coyote is Borrego Springs’ community thrift store, where every purchase supports the Borrego Valley Endowment Fund’s work to improve healthcare, strengthen the local economy, and invest in the future of our community.
As we enter an exciting new chapter, we’re looking for a creative retail leader who can modernize operations, elevate the shopping experience, inspire volunteers, deepen community engagement, and grow revenue while staying true to our community roots.
This isn’t just a management position; it’s a chance to become the face of one of Borrego Springs’ most beloved nonprofit businesses and help show how shopping, donating, and volunteering can all be acts of local philanthropy.

Position Summary
The Retail & Operations Manager leads all aspects of Frugal Coyote, including retail operations, merchandising, staff and volunteer leadership, customer experience, inventory management, community engagement, and financial performance.
The ideal candidate has a strong background in thrift, resale, or specialty retail management; experience with marketing and promotion; and a track record of using thoughtful merchandising, exceptional customer service, and community relationships to drive sales and grow net revenue.

What You’ll Do
Community Engagement & Revenue Growth
Serve as a visible ambassador for Frugal Coyote, The Center, and BVEF in Borrego Springs

Retail Leadership
• Lead all daily store operations
• Create an exceptional shopping experience
• Ensure the store is clean, organized, and welcoming
• Develop staff schedules and oversee daily workflow
• Manage POS systems, cash handling, and store procedures

Merchandising & Visual Displays
• Design beautiful retail displays
• Refresh the sales floor weekly
• Create seasonal merchandising plans
• Build eye-catching windows and feature displays
• Develop creative ways to showcase high-value donations

Inventory & Donations
• Oversee donation intake
• Develop pricing strategies
• Improve processing efficiency
• Reduce backroom inventory
• Ensure quality standards
• Maximize inventory turnover

Staff & Volunteer Leadership
• Recruit volunteers
• Coach and mentor staff
• Build a fun, positive culture
• Train new team members

Marketing Support
Work alongside the BVEF Team to:
• Feature new merchandise
• Promote weekly arrivals
• Identify social media opportunities
• Plan sales events
• Help make Frugal Coyote a destination shopping experience

Qualifications
Required
• 5+ years of retail management experience
• Experience managing employees and/or volunteers
• Strong visual merchandising skills
• Experience meeting retail sales goals and growing net revenue
• Excellent communication, leadership, and community relationship-building abilities
• Comfortable using retail technology and POS systems
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated experience implementing new retail programs or operational improvements
• Ability to serve as a positive, community-facing representative of the organization

Highly Preferred
• Thrift store management
• Consignment or resale retail
• Boutique retail management
• Goodwill, ReStore, Salvation Army, or nonprofit retail experience
• Retail inventory management
• Donation-based retail experience
• Knowledge of or familiarity with Borrego Springs or a similar small community
• Experience developing new donation channels, partnerships, or revenue growth strategies
• Functionally fluent in Spanish a plus

How to Apply
If you’re excited about leading the next chapter of Frugal Coyote and believe you have the experience, creativity, and passion we’re looking for, we’d love to hear from you.

Please submit the following:
• A cover letter explaining why you’re interested in this position and what makes you a great fit.
• Your resume highlighting relevant retail, merchandising or thrift experience.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the position will remain open until filled.

Please email your application materials to info@bvefund.org with the subject line:
Retail & Operations Manager – Frugal Coyote

We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply. Frugal Coyote and the Borrego Valley Endowment Fund are equal opportunity employers committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace.

Shop with the Queens is a fun, community shopping day at Frugal Coyote featuring Miss Borrego participants, raffle prizes, treats, and a fundraiser supporting the Children’s Center. It’s an easy way to spend time together, support local, and give back.

Join us for Shop with the Queens at Frugal Coyote

Saturday, May 2 | 10am–3pm

Come shop, connect, and support the Borrego Children’s Center with the Miss Borrego queens.

• Raffle prizes including local wines (donated by The Fudge Factory), a Frugal Coyote gift card + Miss Borrego curated basket

• Free cookies + $1 drinks

• Kickoff at 10am

Spend $20 = 1 raffle ticket (or just come by and enjoy the day)

See you there 

Mike Puzzo, Monday, April 13, 2026 – I created the Functionally Fit for Life scholarship in 2025 to support graduating seniors from Borrego Springs and/or recent Borrego Springs graduates who are in college to pursue a degree in kinesiology, exercise science, physical therapy, nutrition, physical education, or athletic training.

As a personal trainer my goals are so much more than just helping someone get stronger, leaner, and more fit. My goal is to help someone improve their quality of life.  Ultimately what we do in the gym should help my client’s activities of daily living, whether it’s playing with their kids or grandkids, going up and down stairs, mitigating chronic pain, or participating in their favorite sport, outdoor activity, or adventure.  

Ultimately the purpose of my scholarship is to support young men and women who embody this same desire to help others improve the quality of their life through fitness, physical therapy and/or nutrition. 

Eligibility: Graduating senior or student currently enrolled in college pursuing a degree/profession in health and wellness. This may include personal training, physical therapy, athletic trainer, physical education, kinesiology, exercise science, dietician, and nutritionist.

Applicant Requirements: Cover letter describing your interest in health and wellness, how you plan to pursue your education, your professional goals and any experience in your desired field along with two letters of recommendation. 

Due Date: April 30, 2026

Submit to the high school office or directly to Mike at puzzofit@gmail.com

This year I’m fortunate to partner with the Borrego Valley Endowment Fund (BVEF) as the fiscal agent. BVEF has very generously agreed to forgo the pass-through fee, so 100% of all donations will go to the recipient(s).  

Anyone who would like to contribute to the scholarship fund can send tax-deductible donations to: 

Borrego Valley Endowment Fund

PO Box 2714

Borrego Springs, CA 92004

Memo: Scholarship fund

Borrego Springs, CA — March 20, 2026 — The Borrego Valley Endowment Fund (BVEF) announced its 2026 Spring Grant Awards, distributing $178,000 across a record 18 grants to 15 nonprofit organizations supporting both essential healthcare services and broader community initiatives throughout Borrego Springs. 

This year marks the highest number of grants ever awarded by BVEF, reflecting both the growing needs of the community and the organization’s expanding ability to support a wider range of programs. 

“Healthcare has always been at the core of BVEF’s mission,” said Anna Abatzoglou, Executive Director of BVEF. “But over time, it’s become clear that a healthy, resilient community needs more. It needs strong schools, access to the arts, economic opportunity, and a deep connection to place.” 

Two Grant Areas, One Community Vision 

BVEF’s Spring Grants are divided into two focus areas: 

Healthcare Grants — $125,000 

Supporting essential services that directly impact the wellbeing of Borrego Springs residents — including food access, caregiver support, transportation to medical care, and senior services. These grants are made possible through BVEF’s Healthcare Endowment, which provides sustained, long-term investment in the programs and services residents rely on every day 

Notable awards include: 

• $35,000 to Borrego Ministers Association for food access programs 

• $23,000 to DAP Health to explore improving clinic accessibility 

• $20,000 to BASIC supporting youth education and nutrition 

• $10,000 to Meals on Wheels San Diego County for meal delivery and wellness checks 

These grants ensure that residents — especially seniors, families, and vulnerable populations — have access to the care and support they need. 

Community Grants — $53,000 

Funded through BVEF’s growing Community Endowment, these grants support programs that enrich daily life in Borrego Springs. 

The Community Endowment was catalyzed by the 2023 donation of The Center by Jim and Anne Wermers, and continues to grow through donor support. 

Community Grants fund projects such as: 

• Environmental education and youth programs 

• Arts and cultural initiatives 

• Public space improvements 

• Community storytelling and heritage preservation 

Highlights include: 

• $10,000 to Borrego Springs Film Institute for free community screenings 

• $8,000 to Borrego Art Institute for a solar project supporting sustainability 

• $5,000 to Christmas Circle Community Park for infrastructure improvements 

• $5,000 to Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center for lobby renovations 

A Community Celebration 

The awards were presented at a luncheon attended by nonprofit leaders, board members, and community supporters. Representatives from each organization received grant awards and gathered for a group photo celebrating the collective impact of their work. 

The event also included recognition of longtime BVEF Bookkeeper and Property Manager, Susan Percival, who was honored for her years of service to the organization and the community. 

Looking Ahead 

With both its Healthcare and Community Endowments growing, BVEF is positioned to expand its impact in the years ahead. 

Community members are invited to support this work by contributing to BVEF’s funds, helping ensure that even more organizations and initiatives can be supported in future grant cycles. 

The Center is a mixed-use retail and office complex, with 16 units totaling 31,954 square feet, currently fully occupied by 10 tenants, located at 590 Palm Canyon Drive in Borrego Springs, California. The property is managed by the Borrego Community Development Corporation (BCDC), a supporting organization of the Borrego Valley Endowment Fund (BVEF) and is designed to hold and manage real estate assets for the benefit of the BVEF and its mission in the Borrego Springs community. 

Position Description:  

The Property Manager & Bookkeeper is responsible for the day-to-day operations, financial administration, and professional stewardship of The Center. This role oversees tenant relations, property maintenance, vendor coordination, bookkeeping, and administrative systems to ensure the property remains well-maintained, financially sound, and responsive to tenant and community needs.

The role also includes bookkeeping support for The Frugal Coyote and general financial administration support for BCDC and BVEF, as assigned.

The Property & Finance Manager reports to the Executive Director of BVEF.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Property Manager is responsible for the overall management of The Center’s physical plant and tenant relationships, including but not limited to the following:

Property Management & Tenant Relations

• Collect rents and monitor accounts receivable
• Implement and enforce lease terms, including annual rent adjustments
• Respond promptly to tenant needs and service requests
• Market and show available units as needed
  Support overall promotion and visibility of The Center in coordination with leadership
• Maintain organized lease and tenant files

Operations & Maintenance

• Coordinate janitorial, landscaping, HVAC, and general maintenance services
• Conduct regular property walk-throughs
• Manage vendors and service contracts
  Address safety, security, and repair issues proactively

Financial & Bookkeeping Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate financial records related to property operations
• Process vendor payments and maintain documentation
• Support billing and collections
• Provide bookkeeping support for The Frugal Coyote
• Provide general financial and administrative support to BCDC and BVEF, including internal reporting and related tasks

Administration

• Maintain organized operational and financial files
• Provide regular updates to the Executive Director
• Support budgeting and reporting processes as requested
• Address operational needs and unforeseen contingencies

Skills & Qualifications

• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Attention to detail, particularly in financial matters
• Ability to work independently in a small, mission-driven organization
• Professional and service-oriented approach to tenant and vendor relationships
• Working knowledge of bookkeeping systems (QuickBooks preferred)
• Ability to manage multiple priorities effectively

Expectations

The role requires availability during normal business hours, with flexibility to respond to urgent property matters as needed. The position requires the ability to walk the property regularly and oversee maintenance activities.

A hoedown gala celebrating BVEF’s three decades of community care. Live music by Sean Oliu and The Coastline Cowboys. With Cowboy poet Carey Peck. Saturday, February 21st 2 – 5pm. At “The Center”, 590 palm canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA. Tickets $100.00 Peer Person available at the door the day of or preorder via e-mail to give@bvefund.org. Proceeds further BVEF’s mission of supporting the well being of the Borrego Valley and residents of the community of Borrego Springs in areas such as health care, education, arts, environment and community development.

To: Community Organizations

From: Borrego Valley Endowment Fund

Subject: Grant Proposals

The Borrego Valley Endowment Fund (BVEF) is now accepting proposals from community groups for grants of preferably $20,000 or less for its 2026 grant cycle. Proposals for greater than $20,000 will be considered, however the selection criteria are in part based on providing the widest degree of community wide benefits. We highly encourage proposals in the $10,000 to $20,000 range so as to support as many deserving initiatives as possible The BVEF expects to disburse grants to the community by March 15th, 2026.

Proposals can relate to either healthcare or non-healthcare community needs. Both program and capital costs will be considered.

If you have an interest in competing for a grant in this cycle, please submit a one-page Letter of Inquiry (LOI). Your LOI should include:

o Organization Name and Applicant Contact Information
o Proposed Project Title
o Funding Amount Requested
o A one paragraph statement explaining why you believe the project supports the community and aligns with one or more of the BVEF funding focus areas of Healthcare & Community Wellbeing, Community Development, and Environmental Stewardship.

Please send via email your Letter of Interest to the BVEF Project Allocation Committee to jdionbvef@gmail.com prior to Friday, January 23rd, 2026. Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full grant proposal.

For more information about the BVEF please visit our website at http://www.bvefund.org

I hope your community organization can take advantage of this funding opportunity.

Sincerely,
Dr. David Garmon, President
Borrego Valley Endowment Fund

BORREGO SPRINGS, Calif. — On an intermittently rainy mid-November afternoon, the community of Borrego Springs gathered to honor a gift that was not only generous in its scale but transformative in its vision. Jim and Anne Wermers, longtime residents and community boosters, were celebrated on Saturday, November 15, for their donation of The Center, a commercial property in the heart of the town, to the Borrego Valley Endowment Fund (BVEF).

The ceremony, hosted by the BVEF, marked the second anniversary of the Wermers’ landmark donation and featured the unveiling of a commemorative bronze plaque. The plaque, installed on the façade of The Center, reads: “In lasting gratitude. On November 15, 2023, in one of the most significant gifts in Borrego Springs’ history, Jim and Anne Wermers—devoted residents and generous philanthropists—donated The Center to the Borrego Valley Endowment Fund to serve the long-term well-being and vitality of the Borrego Springs Community.”

The event’s keynote was delivered by Dr. David Garmon, BVEF President, who emphasized the Wermers’ longstanding commitment to Borrego Springs. “Few have worked as long or given as much as Jim and Anne,” he said. “Their impact on the appearance and economic vitality of this town is incalculable.” He recalled how, in the early 2000s, the couple spearheaded the transformation of a derelict grocery store into the now iconic Borrego Art Institute and subsequently renovated two long-neglected shopping centers that now anchor Palm Canyon Drive. He noted that under the previous corporate ownership, the net revenues generated by these properties “left the community and flowed to the bottom line of distant corporations; whereas under Jim and Anne’s ownership, every penny of net revenue has been kept in the community through massive improvements they made to the properties and other charitable gifts.” He reminded guests of some of the major renovations such as removing the 10,000 gallon underground gas tank of a former gas station at The Center, the installation of a 500 panel PV solar system, and the reconstruction of the Performing Arts Center.

Garmon described Jim and Anne’s latest act of generosity — transferring commercial real estate to a public charity — as “visionary and fueled by a deep and abiding love for the community.” After years of contemplating how their community-focused work could endure far into the future, the Wermers asked a simple but profound question: Could a commercial enterprise be gifted to a community fund and managed in perpetuity for public benefit? The answer, it turns out, was yes.

The Center, now under the stewardship of the BVEF, serves as a revenue-generating asset whose income will be reinvested locally. Initially established in 1994 as a Healthcare Endowment, the BVEF now provides more than $400,000 annually to support healthcare related services in the area. With the Wermers’ gift, the fund is branching out to create a new “Community Endowment” aimed at supporting wider social, cultural, environmental, and economic needs in Borrego Springs.

“This is more than a donation,” Garmon said, gesturing toward the plaque. “Jim and Anne’s gift of the center is the cornerstone of a sustainable future for our community.”

Under the late afternoon sun, attendees — including longtime residents, local business owners, and nonprofit leaders — mingled while discussing the new Community Endowment’s potential. Some spoke of funding arts programs; others imagined broader support for our schools or environmental conservation initiatives.

Jim and Anne Wermers were both present, modestly accepting the applause but largely deferring to the crowd and the cause. Asked why they chose this path, Jim looked into the faces of friends and supporters and made a brief remark: “It’s because of you that we live here. It’s because we love you and this community that it delights us to do what we can to support what we believe will be a wonderful future for Borrego.”

For a small desert town, the gift symbolizes more than real estate — it is both a tangible and philosophical investment in Borrego’s future, a cornerstone laid with vision, abiding dedication, and profound generosity.

The Borrego Valley Endowment Fund (BVEF) has awarded a $254,000 grant to DAP Health to support the renovation and rehabilitation of the Pharmacy and Dental Clinic located at “The Center,” 590 Palm Canyon Drive in downtown Borrego Springs.

The planned upgrades will modernize and improve the facility, ensuring continued access to vital health services for the community. The renovation project will enhance the delivery of dental and pharmacy care, while securing the clinic’s long-term presence in the heart of town.

“The Center’s location makes it a cornerstone of accessible healthcare for our residents,” said David Garmon, President of BVEF. “These improvements will help sustain and expand essential services while strengthening the vitality of our community.”

Renovations began in August and are expected to be completed by December 2025. The pharmacy will remain open throughout construction, continuing to provide prescription services without interruption.