Adversity Inspires Our Doubling Down on Community Engagement
Traditionally, our Community Giving Guide is a biennial publication and our last Guide celebrated 20 years of Growing Community, Growing Philanthropy. Little did we know that the first year in our next 20-year trajectory would bring about the challenges we’ve witnessed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. While we all work to navigate in uncharted waters, with no clear sense of how long the journey will last, Kern Community Foundation has doubled down on community engagement, processing record-level grant awards and engaging with diverse stakeholders to build a brighter future.
Within weeks of the pandemic lockdown, Kern Community Foundation mobilized nearly $600,000 in emergency grantmaking from fundholders and local donors, to support local nonprofits and their community outreach efforts. We also surveyed the nonprofit sector to learn more about our partners’ escalating needs. Survey findings helped us to develop a plan to continue assisting them to increase their visibility, capacity and sustainability, which have always been key components of our Nonprofit Strengthening initiative, and at this crucial moment, to also help them grow their resiliency – creating the power to bounce back in the face of adversity, embrace challenges and turn them into strengths.
Recognizing that linking our most vulnerable residents to vital social services leads to a healthier community, we have engaged with the Kern Connected Community Network and serve as the community convener. The Network is built around a powerful electronic referral tool designed to connect residents to a variety of social service providers while also creating operational efficiencies for network partners. In time, the Network will build a more efficient system of care and improve health outcomes for the entire community.
Our commitment to improving Kern’s future continues through our Educational Attainment initiative – implementing an efficient scholarship awarding system and a comprehensive College Success Program to support students in their postsecondary journey, as well as the ongoing development of the Kern Education Pledge, a connected K-16 roadmap for academic success.
Finally, our community impact and thought leadership work spills over beyond the nonprofit sector and into a regional initiative to improve the quality of life for all in Kern County. We are partnering with a landscape of community stakeholders to develop a comprehensive inclusive economic development strategy – A Better Bakersfield & Boundless Kern ( B3KProsperity.org) – that will prioritize job quality and access while fostering a more cohesive and connected civic infrastructure.
As you can see, the catastrophic impact to our community that we witnessed in 2020, has only strengthened our resolve to help chart a new course to improve Kern County’s future.
How You Can Help
This edition of the Community Giving Guide, our largest yet, is a directory of more than 300 dedicated Kern County nonprofit organizations. Use it to learn more about the many ways these organizations enrich our community and think about how you might do more to lift up this wonderful place we call home.
Through our non-endowed funds, we help local donors to give now and help meet immediate needs, and through our endowed funds we ensure that they can give forever, providing long-term philanthropic solutions to ongoing local challenges.
I invite you to partner with Kern Community Foundation and consider opening a fund to manage your charitable giving while improving the community. It’s easier than you think:
• Individuals, families and even corporations can establish funds.
• Contributions to your fund are immediately tax deductible and can come from a variety of sources: Cash, stocks and bonds, retirement assets, appreciated real estate and even crops can be used to establish a fund.
• You can have Kern Community Foundation professionally manage your funds or select your own trusted advisor.
• We charge a minimal annual fee, based upon your fund’s average balance, to support our work in the community – keeping your investment local.
Look through this Giving Guide and find your passion. We need you. Growing Community and Growing Philanthropy is not possible without your support. Thank you.
Bakersfield Art Association
To provide opportunity for study and improvement of art technique, encourage art in community, offer art scholarships, and exhibit members’ art locally. bakersfieldartassociation.org
Bakersfield City Ballet
To inspire and enrich our community with performances, and foster a love for the arts in youth through dance. bakersfieldcityballet.org
Bakersfield Community Theatre
To produce a series of plays annually for the cultural enrichment of the community. bctstage.org
Bakersfield Firefighters Historical Society
To restore, preserve and share the valuable history and timeless artifacts of the Bakersfield Fire Department and create a fire- and emergency-safe community. bfdhistory.com
Bakersfield Jazz Workshop
To promote Jazz education and performance throughout Kern County in a supportive environment. bakersfieldjazzworkshop.com
Bakersfield Master Chorale
To provide a venue in Kern County for the appreciation and awareness of choral music and choral arts education. bakersfieldmasterchorale.org
Bakersfield Museum of Art (BMOA)
To inspire and engage diverse audiences by providing creative visual art experiences through exhibition, education, community outreach and special events. bmoa.org
Bakersfield Music Theatre
& Stars Theatre Restaurant
To produce quality musical theatre and theatre education in Kern County. bmtstars.com
Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra
To enrich our community through the power of music. bsonow.org
Center of the World Festival, Inc. Developing an interdependent and ecologically sensitive community through social theater of creative arts. cowfest.org
Desert Community Orchestra
To present symphonic concerts and support music education and community activities, including youth performances and college scholarships. desertcommunityorchestra.weebly.com
Downtown Bakersfield Development Corporation (DBDC)
Inspiring community leaders to unite community resources to develop Bakersfield’s Downtown as a pre-eminent California community. bakersfielddbdc.com
Juventud Enriquecimiento Musica Y Artes Foundation
To support the cultural enrichment of youth in the Central Valley of California by encouraging philanthropy and supporting programs for youth. jemafoundation.org
KAXL 88.3 Life FM
Using Christian music and compelling media in a culturally relevant way to encourage faith and unite our community. 883lifefm.com
Kern County Museum Foundation Celebrating the culture and history of Kern County. kerncountymuseum.org
Kern County Scottish Society
To promote and preserve Scottish heritage and culture in Kern County. kernscot.org
Kern Dance Alliance (KDA) Advocating for, promoting and supporting dance and the arts in Kern County. kerndance.org
Kern River Tubatulabal Paiute Council
Dedicated to preserving, restoring, and teaching Native American culture, history and traditions for educational, ceremonial and social activities. nuuicunni.com
Kern River Valley Art Association
To provide opportunities, resources and exhibition venues for Kern River Valley artists, with an emphasis on art education and emerging artists. krvaa.org
Kern River Valley Historical Society
To preserve and communicate the history of the Kern River Valley and the surrounding Southern Sierra communities. kernvalleymuseum.org
Kern Valley Chorus (Sweet Adelines International)
Committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through opportunities in education, performance and competition. kernvalleychorus.org
Maturango Museum of Indian Wells Valley
To preserve, interpret and develop an appreciation for the natural and cultural history of the Northern Mojave Desert. maturango.org
Petroglyph Education Foundation, Inc.
To raise public awareness about the significance of Native American history, culture and Rock Art, and the importance of protecting these Native American contributions. rpfestival.com
Ridgecrest Chamber Music Society
To promote education and awareness of chamber music and provide community members with a high quality musical experience. rcchambermusic.org
African American Network of Kern County
Through unity, promote responsible and meaningful programs to educate, create economic parity and job opportunities, and produce positive role models.
African Children’s Schools
Building schools for rural children in Africa in areas where there is no public education available.
ayso181.org
Atheletes’ Advantage Academy Bags4Kids
To be a voice for foster youth whose inner struggles go unheard, thereby restoring their capacity to believe they have not been forgotten. bags4kids.org
bcsd.com
Bakersfield High School Endowment Fund
To support the arts, athletics, activities and clubs at BHS, in pursuit of a full and enriching academic experience for every student.
Bakersfield Ivy Legacy Foundation
To collaborate with local agencies to secure and manage resources for educational, leadership and philanthropic programs of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Bakersfield. bakersfieldivylegacy.org
Bakersfield Women’s Business Conference – R.O.S.E. (Realizing Options for Student Excellence) Mentor Program
To help mentored students recognize their value and self-worth, and provide them with an opportunity to attend the Bakersfield Women’s Business Conference.
Boy Scouts of America
Southern Sierra Council
To prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. sscbsa.org
Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County
To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. bgclubsofkerncounty.org
Buena Vista Museum of Natural History & Science
To educate, engage, and inspire our community to explore the wonders of science through enrichment activities, exhibits and special programs. buenavistamuseum.org
California Recreation Foundation Furthering California community development and good citizenship through recreation. onespadeyouthpackers.org
CSUB Auxiliary for Sponsored Programs Administration
Administering externally sponsored programs and research projects on behalf of the University for the charitable and educational benefit of students, faculty, staff, and alumni. csub.edu/grasp
CSUB Foundation
To advance California State University, Bakersfield by creating strong and lasting relationships that enrich the student experience and promote excellence in education.
kcnc.org
Kern County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse Benefiting physically and mentally challenged children in Kern County. kcs-mp.com
ourleagueofdreams.com
Legacy Family Services
To unlock the potential of families and individuals, develop employees that model integrity and healthy living, and build a legacy for our clients. legacyfamilyservices.com
Lightwave Education
To create tools for individuals to thrive, prosper, and succeed through education, mentoring, and community outreach.
Villagers, Inc.
Providing a safe haven where inner-city youth are empowered to exercise leadership skills in their communities, and succeed in their personal lives. facebook.com/VillagersInc
Westchester Kiwanis Foundation Providing services to benefit underprivileged children and veterans in Kern County. westchesterkiwanis.org
Wonder Window Children’s Center at Lutheran Church of
Prayer
A Christian educational program providing preschool and after-school students with essential developmental, social and educational opportunities. lcop.org
Word for Word Ministries, Inc. Helping students memorize the Bible “in context,” with the LISTEN-SING-READWRITE-RECITE method for private and home schools. biblesong.com
Writers of Kern
Mentoring and encouraging writers of all ages and genres, assisting them in reaching their writing goals while building a community of writers. writersofkern.com
Youth 2 Leaders Education Foundation To unlock the power of higher education. y2lef.org
Youth Connection, Inc.
To prevent at-risk youth from entering the Juvenile Justice System by connecting them to a positive structure program. facebook.com/kernyouthconnection
Youth for Christ of Kern County
Meeting the needs of young people physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually throughout Kern County. yfckern.org
Youth Leadership Incubator Inc. (Hack+) Helping students to launch community impact nonprofit projects and events. hackplus.io
YWRAP (Young Women Reaching Accomplishable Places)
To improve the overall quality of life of girls 10 to 18 by addressing their social, emotional, mental, and environmental needs. ywrap.org