KCF connects generous donors to energized community members and organizations, matching their charitable interests with our community’s needs.
Kern Community Foundation channels most of its giving through local, Kern County-centered programs, while also moving substantial unrestricted-style support through donor funds and community funds. One of the clearest markers of its role is the scale of its recent grants to local institutions: Aera Energy Fund received $2,918,446 in 2025, and California State University Bakersfield received two sizable grants across 2024 and 2025. The foundation’s work also includes place-based initiatives tied to local needs, such as the Women’s and Girls’ Fund, farmworker support, and disaster relief in the Kern River Valley. Recent grants show a mix of education, community services, arts, health, and environmental projects, with many awards going to Bakersfield organizations and several to countywide or regional funds. Kern Community Foundation also administers capital support through the Waterman Foundation Rotary Club of Bakersfield Capital Grant Program, which limits funding to building, land improvement, equipment, and facility upgrades. That combination of donor-connected philanthropy and issue-based local grantmaking defines how the foundation operates in Kern County.
Education is a recurring thread in the foundation’s grantmaking. In 2025, California State University Bakersfield received $219,066, and Bakersfield College received $40,585, showing support for local higher-education institutions. The foundation also supported youth and student pathways through Youth for Christ Kern County Fund, which received $243,000 in 2025. Community health and social services appear alongside education. Bakersfield Memorial Hospital Foundation received $126,000 in 2023, while Bakersfield Angels received $61,100 that same year. The Women’s and Girls’ Fund is another defined area of work, with competitive grants for programs benefiting women and girls in Kern County and priorities that include mental health, life skills, economic mobility, health education, and safety. Environmental and fisheries work also appears through the Upper Kern Fisheries Enhancement Fund, which received $204,886 in 2025.
Kern Community Foundation’s typical grant size sits at a median of $14,000, with the 25th percentile at $10,000 and the 75th percentile at $25,700. The recent grant list also shows a long tail of much larger awards, including a multimillion-dollar grant in 2025. The pattern suggests both community-scale grants and larger donor-directed or charitable fund distributions. Recipients appear across multiple years, including California State University Bakersfield in 2024 and 2025, indicating recurring relationships rather than one-off awards only. The foundation functions as a community foundation and philanthropic intermediary, connecting donor interests with local needs. Several active opportunities accept unsolicited requests, including competitive grants and relief funds, while some programs such as the Women’s and Girls’ Fund are competitive and do not accept unsolicited applications.
$5.1M
$46M
$8.5M
$8.8M
Most grants fall between $10K and $26K, with a median of $14K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$14K
75th Percentile
$26K
About 94% of grants go to recipients in CA.
AARON FALK
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Grantmaking is overwhelmingly local: 94% of grants go to recipients in California, and all recorded recipient-country data are in the US. Bakersfield is the most common recipient city in the recent grants list, followed by Fresno, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Berkeley, and Maricopa. The foundation also directs funding to Kern County-specific efforts such as the Kern River Valley, East Kern, and the Upper Kern area. That geography matches its local scope, with most activity centered on Kern County communities and institutions.
The foundation supports education, nonprofit capacity building, community initiatives, disaster relief and crisis response, women and girls, farmworker support, and environmental and fisheries enhancement. Recent grants also show support for health, arts, and local institutions in Kern County.
Its typical grant size is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $14,000 at the median, and $25,700 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list also includes much larger awards, showing that grant size varies by program and purpose.
Its giving is local, and 94% of grants go to recipients in California. Active programs are focused on Kern County, Kern River Valley, East Kern, and the Upper Kern area, with recent grantees concentrated in Bakersfield and nearby California locations.
Yes. Several active programs accept unsolicited requests, including the Waterman Foundation Rotary Club of Bakersfield Capital Grant Program, the Borel Fire Relief Fund, the East Kern Earthquake Relief Grant, the Farmworker Grant Opportunity, and the nonprofit strengthening grant opportunities. The Women’s and Girls’ Fund competitive grants do not accept unsolicited applications.
Yes. California State University Bakersfield appears in the recent grants list in both 2024 and 2025, which shows that the foundation has recurring relationships with some recipients rather than making only one-time awards.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Kern Community Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: For conservation projects in the Upper Kern River Basin. Applicants must be registered with Kern Community Foundation to apply through the online grant portal.
Deadline: Deadline: July 17, 2026
Who can apply: Activated for response to the Borel Fire; application window is ongoing.
Deadline: The application window is ongoing.
Who can apply: Grants will be awarded only for capital projects and not operating expenses. Intended to support local nonprofit organizations.
Deadline: Application Window: 3/1/2027 - 5/1/2027
Who can apply: The page indicates the fund makes grants for community benefit; specific application eligibility is not detailed in the provided content.
Deadline: Next opportunity in Fall 2026.
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AERA ENERGY FUND | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $2,918,446 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| YOUTH FOR CHRIST KERN COUNTY FUND | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $243,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| LINKED FUND | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $229,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY BAKERSFIELD | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $219,066 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| UPPER KERN FISHERIES ENHANCEMENT FUND | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $204,886 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| AERA ENERGY FUND FOR CONSERVATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT | MARICOPA, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| HAY FAMILY FOUNDATION FUND | CARLSBAD, CA | $129,041 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| ROD STIEFVATER FOUNDATION FUND | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $124,560 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| BAKERSFIELD MUSEUM OF ART FUND | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $100,561 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| SOUTHERN SIERRA COUNCIL BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA - CAMP KERN FUND | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $89,611 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| MCCARTHY FAMILY FUND | PEABODY, MA | $82,600 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| KERN AND DANCE ALLIANCE | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $81,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| BATEY CHARITABLE FUND | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $78,500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| BOREL FIRE RELIEF FUND | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $64,575 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| CALIFORNIA POLYTECHNIC STATE UNIVERSITY SAN LUIS OBISPO | SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA | $41,375 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY | BERKELEY, CA | $41,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| BAKERSFIELD COLLEGE | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $40,585 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| ST JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $37,765 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| BAKERSFIELD CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $33,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA BARBARA | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $27,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES | LOS ANGELES, CA | $22,500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| UEI COLLEGE BAKERSFIELD | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $21,500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY COLLEGE | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $20,203 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| NORTH KERN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $16,550 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY FRESNO | FRESNO, CA | $16,432 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| SCOTT KIRSCHENMANN FAMILY FOUNDATION FUND | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $14,530 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $14,260 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA DAVIS | DAVIS, CA | $13,600 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE PARISH SCHOOL | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $13,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO | SAN DIEGO, CA | $11,175 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| WALDEN UNIVERSITY | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY LONG BEACH | LONG BEACH, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA | LOS ANGELES, CA | $7,500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IRVINE | IRVINE, CA | $7,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY BAKERSFIELD | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $164,400 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA BARBARA | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $42,500 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY | BERKELEY, CA | $36,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES | LOS ANGELES, CA | $20,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| CALIFORNIA POLYTECHNIC STATE UNIVERSITY SAN LUIS OBISPO | SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA | $19,750 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| BAKERSFIELD COLLEGE | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $15,500 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO | SAN DIEGO, CA | $14,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY LONG BEACH | LONG BEACH, CA | $12,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY FRESNO | FRESNO, CA | $11,900 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA DAVIS | DAVIS, CA | $11,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY LOS ANGELES | LOS ANGELES, CA | $7,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA MERCED | MERCED, CA | $6,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| AGRICULTURAL FOUNDATION OF CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY FRESNO | FRESNO, CA | $325,600 | 2023 | CHARITABLE |
| BAKERSFIELD SOUTHWEST BASEBALL INC | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $250,000 | 2023 | CHARITABLE |
| BAKERSFIELD MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $126,000 | 2023 | CHARITABLE |
| CSUB FOUNDATION | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $101,500 | 2023 | CHARITABLE |
AERA ENERGY FUND
$2,918,446CHARITABLE
YOUTH FOR CHRIST KERN COUNTY FUND
$243,000CHARITABLE
LINKED FUND
$229,000CHARITABLE
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY BAKERSFIELD
$219,066CHARITABLE
UPPER KERN FISHERIES ENHANCEMENT FUND
$204,886CHARITABLE
AERA ENERGY FUND FOR CONSERVATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT
$150,000CHARITABLE
HAY FAMILY FOUNDATION FUND
$129,041CHARITABLE
ROD STIEFVATER FOUNDATION FUND
$124,560CHARITABLE
BAKERSFIELD MUSEUM OF ART FUND
$100,561CHARITABLE
SOUTHERN SIERRA COUNCIL BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA - CAMP KERN FUND
$89,611CHARITABLE
MCCARTHY FAMILY FUND
$82,600CHARITABLE
KERN AND DANCE ALLIANCE
$81,000CHARITABLE
BATEY CHARITABLE FUND
$78,500CHARITABLE
BOREL FIRE RELIEF FUND
$64,575CHARITABLE
CALIFORNIA POLYTECHNIC STATE UNIVERSITY SAN LUIS OBISPO
$41,375CHARITABLE
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY
$41,000CHARITABLE
BAKERSFIELD COLLEGE
$40,585CHARITABLE
ST JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH
$37,765CHARITABLE
BAKERSFIELD CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL
$33,000CHARITABLE
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA BARBARA
$27,000CHARITABLE
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
$22,500CHARITABLE
UEI COLLEGE BAKERSFIELD
$21,500CHARITABLE
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY COLLEGE
$20,203CHARITABLE
NORTH KERN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
$16,550CHARITABLE
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY FRESNO
$16,432CHARITABLE
SCOTT KIRSCHENMANN FAMILY FOUNDATION FUND
$14,530CHARITABLE
LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
$14,260CHARITABLE
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA DAVIS
$13,600CHARITABLE
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE PARISH SCHOOL
$13,000CHARITABLE
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO
$11,175CHARITABLE
WALDEN UNIVERSITY
$10,000CHARITABLE
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY LONG BEACH
$10,000CHARITABLE
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
$7,500CHARITABLE
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IRVINE
$7,000CHARITABLE
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY BAKERSFIELD
$164,400CHARITABLE
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA BARBARA
$42,500CHARITABLE
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY
$36,000CHARITABLE
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
$20,000CHARITABLE
CALIFORNIA POLYTECHNIC STATE UNIVERSITY SAN LUIS OBISPO
$19,750CHARITABLE
BAKERSFIELD COLLEGE
$15,500CHARITABLE
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO
$14,000CHARITABLE
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY LONG BEACH
$12,000CHARITABLE
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY FRESNO
$11,900CHARITABLE
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA DAVIS
$11,000CHARITABLE
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY LOS ANGELES
$7,000CHARITABLE
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA MERCED
$6,000CHARITABLE
AGRICULTURAL FOUNDATION OF CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY FRESNO
$325,600CHARITABLE
BAKERSFIELD SOUTHWEST BASEBALL INC
$250,000CHARITABLE
BAKERSFIELD MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
$126,000CHARITABLE
CSUB FOUNDATION
$101,500CHARITABLE