Every year, Kern Community Foundation hosts Give Big Kern to help local nonprofit organizations raise money and volunteer hours. This year’s Give Big Kern, May 7, 2024, was the Official Giving Day for Kern County, the City of Bakersfield, and the City of Taft. Donors began donating to their favorite local nonprofit as early as April 7, 2024. Give Big Kern allows the people of Kern County to show support for organizations that improve our region, raising dollars and volunteer hours for local nonprofits through online crowdfunding, matching gifts, and pledges. The collaborative effort helps Kern’s community-based organization raise unrestricted resources at no cost while growing their visibility, capacity, and sustainability.
For the first time ever, Give Big Kern has surpassed $1 million in a single year for local nonprofits. This year’s event was the most successful to date, raising $1,529,018 and an incredible 22,067 pledged hours for 131 local nonprofits.
The funds raised during Give Big Kern will go directly into the operational budgets of participating nonprofits. The participating organizations range from arts and culture to social services and environmental conservation. Every donation makes a difference in the lives of those who are most in need. Mark your calendars for next year’s Give Big Kern on May 6, 2025.
Happy hot summer to you all. July allows the Foundation to slow down a bit and review our year so far, celebrate our wins, and look for opportunities to improve. We’re still working—Bakersfield Youth Jobs Program has hired dozens of new paid interns and fellows, we’re meeting with scholarship winners to prepare them for freshman year, and we’re starting to plan festivities to celebrate our 25th year.
June gave us a chance to celebrate. Kern Alliance of Nonprofits hosted the 2nd Annual Leadership Awards lunch to recognize work in the nonprofit sector. Spoiler alert, our own Rashha Rohina earned the Rising Star Award. Beautiful Bakersfield selected Fatima “Teems” Tulfo as Young Professional of the Year, and KCF sponsored Large Nonprofit of the Year (congrats to Bakersfield Angels). Rashha and Teems, both outstanding in their field, are quite humble. We’re privileged to work with them, and I enjoy having a front row seat to their positive impact on Kern County.
Please (CLICK HERE) to learn more about these and many other Foundation activities. Stay cool!
Links for Life, is seeking a Development Manager who will build strong community relationships with local businesses, organizations, and volunteers to build support for Links for Life. The position requires strong initiative and independent judgment. In addition, the Development Manager is responsible for assisting in all aspects of financial support for Links for Life programs and services. This position assists the Executive Director with the annual budget and is responsible for developing a comprehensive plan for raising support during the year. Responsibilities include developing project budgets, event coordination, and assisting in identifying high donor prospects. This position assists the Patient Advocate with training volunteers on a year-round basis. Education • B.A./B.S. preferred with an emphasis or concentration in nonprofit management, business, marketing, public relations or related field. • Two to five years of professional development and fund-raising experience. • Experience and contacts in Kern County are a plus. Please submit resume and letter of interest to jobs@PASassociates.com. Post-offer background check will be conducted. 35 hours/week Pay Range – $65,000 – $69,000 per year EOE Click Here for Full Description
In 2022, the City of Bakersfield launched a Youth Jobs Program (hereafter known as ‘Program’) in collaboration with Kern Community Foundation and the CaliforniansForAll program. Since the Program was established, nearly 170 local youth have been served. Targeting individuals aged 18 to 30, the Program offers temporary paid positions that instill essential skills and foster meaningful career pathways. Participants engage in hands-on experiences within the City of Bakersfield or local nonprofit organizations with a focus on public service and regional prosperity.
Job Summary: The Program Specialist facilitates and supervises daily Program activities with a focus on the comprehensive development and mentorship of participating youth. Reporting to the Program Manager, the PS ensures the success of program participants by coordinating a range of activities aimed at personal, professional, and civic growth. Responsibilities include participant selection, conducting site visits, facilitating regular development workshops, weekly check-in phone calls with program participants, and documenting progress and casework notes. The PS will work closely with City staff where youth are placed, partner nonprofit organizations, an advisory board of community organizations, and other stakeholders. This position is eligible for remote-hybrid work.
The Women’s and Girls’ Fund of Kern Community Foundation is asking the community to nominate women, and young women ages 16 to 25, for The 2024 Judi McCarthy Women’s Philanthropy Award between now and February 15, 2024. The namesake for this prestigious award that honors women and girls who are committed to improving the lives of Kern County residents through their giving and leadership, is Judi McCarthy, a well-known local philanthropist and a founding member of The Women’s and Girls’ Fund of Kern Community Foundation.
The awards selection committee will review all nominations and select the 2024 recipient in early March. One award in each category will be presented at the Women’s & Girls’ Fund Annual Luncheon scheduled for April 24, 2024. The committee is responsible for the final selection. (In the unlikely event that the committee feels that no nominees have met the criteria, the awards may be withheld.)
The Women’s Philanthropy Selection Criteria
Demonstrates a philanthropic spirit through personal giving or inspiring others to support charitable organizations;
Exhibits a long-term commitment to, and a passion for, bettering the lives of Kern County residents;
Focuses on seeking solutions to a problem rather than easing the symptoms; and
Inspires others to take a leadership role in philanthropy.
Beginning January 23 & 24. 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM. 40-week court approved. No Fee. Every week. This is a reoccurring class.
Financial Education:
“How Money Works” This is a one-day class and last about 45 minutes. At this time, we are organizing a monthly co-hort.
Kern County Public Health Mobile Health Clinic:
Beginning January 18 the MSC will partner with the mobile health clinic on a monthly basis for the 3rd Thursday of every month. 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
Parenting Kit Distribution:
The MSC has begun to distribute kits for new parents.
Referral Services:
If there is a service that an individual needs that the MSC doesn’t provide we have partnered with a platform to submit referrals to other organizations in the community to meet the needs of the individual.
Save the Date for Give Big Kern 2024, Tuesday, May 7, 2024!!
The much-anticipated Give Big Kern 2023 Community Report has arrived, and it’s time to celebrate the incredible achievements of this year’s event! In the report, you will see the highlights, prize winners, and the impact made possible by our generous sponsors and donors.
Gratitude to Sponsors and Donors:
We extend our gratitude to all our sponsors and donors who made Give Big Kern 2023 possible. Your generosity and commitment to our community are truly remarkable. Without your support, none of this would have been achievable. Every dollar raised has a direct and lasting impact on local nonprofits and the people they serve.
A Record-Breaking Year:
One of the most exciting aspects of this year’s report is the astounding figure: GBK 2023 raised a grand total of $965,839 for local participating nonprofits! This remarkable achievement reflects the collective effort and passion of our community. Together, we are making a difference in the lives of those who rely on the services provided by these nonprofits.
Share the Report and Inspire Others:
We encourage you to share this report with others, especially nonprofit organizations that may not have participated in GBK before. By sharing Give Big Kern, we hope to inspire even more organizations to join us next year. Together, we can continue to build a stronger, more vibrant Kern County.
Business Security Improvements Grant Program Guidelines
The City of Bakersfield’s Business Security Improvements Grants Program supports security improvements to assist small businesses and non-profits and mitigate financial hardship in disproportionately impacted areas. The Business Security Improvements Grant Program uses federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars to provide grants within Qualified Census Tracts in the city limits of Bakersfield.
To be eligible for a grant:
Your business must be within a Qualified Census Tract (see map in Attachment A).
You must have a current business license with the City of Bakersfield.
Must not have any delinquent bills or outstanding liens issued by the City.
The business must have no more than 500 employees.
About The Center The Center for Sexuality & Gender Diversity (The Center) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving the gay, lesbian, bisexual & transgender community (LGBTQIA2S+) in Kern County, California.
Mission and Values The Center is an easy-access hub providing safe, supportive spaces and services to Kern County’s LGBTQIA2S+ community and allies. We welcome persons of all identities and strive toward a goal of creating a feeling of belonging for all persons while serving as a bridge connecting to the greater community in Kern County.
Organizational History The Center opened as a downtown community outreach center in 2011 and operated as volunteer-run organization until the first paid staff position was filled in 2016. Currently, there is a paid staff of seven. A second location, The Annex, houses administrative offices and counseling services. The 2023-24 Budget is $750,000., funded by local donors and multiple grants.
Organizational Impact The Center provides services to support Kern County LGBTQ+ residents in living happy, productive, fulfilling lives in a safe and supportive community. Our efforts are focused on individual support services such as counseling and activities to help build self-esteem, and community transformation activities including cultural competency trainings. By conservative estimates, 66,000 Kern residents identify as LGBTQ+ (7.1% of the population, as estimated by Gallup, 2022); many have struggled for self acceptance as well as acceptance and understanding from family, friends, and community. The Center provides that acceptance and educates the wider community in how to provide affirming services. Since opening, The Center has welcomed over 13,000 visitors into its Safe Space as it serves the needs of Kern County’s LGBTQIA2S+ community.
Candidate Profile
The new Executive Director of The Center will be an experienced, motivational, and equity-centered leader with a professional track record of organizational development and mission advancement. They will bring a transparent, inclusive, and collaborative leadership style, and the ability to direct, mentor, support, and coach staff at all levels of experience and professional development. Candidates for this position should have a personal style that is empathetic, warm, and engaging, along with the ability to set healthy boundaries, hold people accountable, and actively listen/respond to the needs of a wide range of internal and external constituents. They should be empathetic, accessible, and people-centered and, at the same time, bring the professional skills and knowledge to lead The Center to new levels of success and impact. Regardless of professional background, a personal understanding of and commitment to intersectional issues/identities (race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, socio-economic status, etc.) in the LGBTQ+ community is essential.
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