Since 1999, Kern Community Foundation has awarded approximately $9 million in competitive grants, distributions from endowments, and grants from donor advised funds.  In recent years, the Foundation has been able to focus its competitive grantmaking by awarding grants to build the capacity of local nonprofit organizations. 

The Foundation's most recent efforts have been helped by its Nonprofit Search, an online tool that allows local charities to create profiles featuring their financials, leadership, management, and programs, all in a user friendly database.  The database is available to local donors to find, learn about and give to the causes they care about.

In 2013, the Foundation will be awarding grants from a limited pool of discretionary funding.  In an effort to reward nonprofits for the transparency and accountability they have demonstrated by publishing and maintaining their profiles in the Nonprofit Search, organizations with a complete and current profile by December 31, 2012, will be eligible to be randomly selected for an unrestricted grant of $1,000 and virtual site visit featured on the Foundation website. 

If an organization is unable to meet the December 31, 2012 deadline, a secondary, marketing and fundraising opportunity will be available.  Organizations that complete or maintain a current Nonprofit Search profile by June 30, 2013, will be featured in the inaugural Charitable Giving Guide, to be published and distributed locally by the Foundation during the 2013 holiday season. 

Stay tuned as more information will follow the Foundation's Board of Directors meeting in January 2013.  You may also contact Manager of Nonprofit Outreach, Megan Boynton, at 661.616.2605 or megan@kernfoundation.org with any questions regarding upcoming grants.  To register for the next Nonprofit Search Orientation, click here and supply the following information regarding your organization.