Over time, the San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians has become a self-sufficient tribal government with an established economic and social outlook. The San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians is active in donating funds for a variety of projects in neighboring areas. Nearby cities and towns receive support from the San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians in the way of monetary and bottled water donations for cultural, social, and economic projects to benefit the common good of the communities in which they live and work.

The reservation which was established in 1891 is home to the Yuhaviatam Clan of the Serrano Indians who are the indigenous people of the San Bernardino highlands, passes, valleys and mountains who share a common language and culture with other clans of the Serrano people. The reservation is named after Santos Manuel, a great tribal leader, and is located in southern California, in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountain region, just north of the city of Highland. It consists of just over 800 acres of mostly mountainous land.

Encompassing gaming governmental operations and other enterprises, the San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians is one of the largest employers in the Inland Empire area and employs over 3000 people.

The San Manuel reservation, like other tribal lands in the United States, is a sovereign nation with its own system of government and ordinances. Tribal government consists of two governing bodies: a seven-member Tribal Council which acts as the Business Committee and a General Council comprised of all adults 21 or older. The Tribal Council has a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, and three Business Committee members who are elected by the General Council for two-year terms. As elected officials, the Tribal Council is responsible for enforcing by-laws, establishing policies, protecting business interests and preserving the sovereignty of the tribe.