Since 1999, Kern Community Foundation has helped make Kern County a better place to live, work, and visit. Our mission: Growing Community. Growing Philanthropy. We help people support the causes they care about most by connecting generous donors to energized community members and organizations, matching their charitable interests with our community’s needs. The passion we share unites us, inspires us, and drives us toward a bold vision for the future – to make Kern County more vibrant, healthy, and strong for all its residents.
Kern Community Foundation is hiring an entry-level position with the opportunity for advancement. If you are interested, please send a resume and cover letter to info@kernfoundation.org.
Job Title: Project Specialist
Job Summary: The Project Specialist will support a wide range of Foundation activities. This entry-level position is designed for someone who wants to enter the nonprofit career field. The Foundation will hire a candidate who can support current projects, grow new relationships across Kern County, and motivate others to take action to improve our county.
Duties/Responsibilities:
Assist Chief Impact Officer with information management, outreach, and case management support.
Become proficient with multiple software platforms to support Foundation activities.
Write copy for website, e-newsletter, and social media.
Represent the Foundation at public events.
Assist both Director of Scholarships and Director of Philanthropy with projects, record keeping, and data management.
Special projects for the Chief Executive Officer.
Other duties as assigned.
Required Skills/Abilities:
Proficiency with Microsoft Office
Ability to learn new software
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Basic understanding of social media
Preferred Skills/Abilities:
Some level of experience with nonprofit organizations
Proficiency in public speaking
Experience creating engaging social media posts
Experience with data management and analysis
Education and Experience:
Bachelors degree, or
Associates degree plus 3 years of full-time work experience, or
5 years of full-time work experience or military service
Physical Requirements:
Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
Must have a current CA Driver’s License and insurance.
Bakersfield Youth Jobs Program (BYJP) Annual Report outlines our impact over the past year, highlighting intern and fellow achievements, key milestones, and community partnerships. It overviews our progress in workforce development, career training, and mentorship.
The Kern Alliance of Nonprofit’s (KAN) 3rd Annual KAN Leadership Awards is scheduled for Wednesday, June 4th, 2025, at 11:00 AM at the Woman’s Club of Bakersfield, 2030 18th St. The purpose of the Nonprofit Leadership Awards is to recognize distinguished Kern County residents who have made significant contributions to the nonprofit sector in the region.
Nonprofit Professional of the Year (24-25) – It takes passion, drive and intellect to craft true transformation for people served by the non-profit community. This award honors the leader who has best used those tools to make a dramatic impact in the lives of their non-profit clients and, through service, improved the communities of Kern County.
Board Member of the Year – This honor goes to the non-profit board member whose commitment, engagement and stewardship has helped shape growth, improvement, and accountability at a Kern County Non-Profit. By providing financial support, oversight, guidance, and encouragement this leader has helped staff and the non-profit exceed its plans and expectations.
Rising Star Award – Non-profit staff and young leaders are on the frontlines of our efforts to impact community problems, overcome social barriers to success and improve people’s lives. This award honors an emerging star in the nonprofit world who made a powerful impact this year and who we are excited to see grow and develop in the coming years.
Lifetime Achievement Award – This category is designed to honor the legends of Kern County’s non-profit community. Their decades of commitment and effort have built a lasting legacy for the organizations they serve, created a foundation of structure and knowledge all nonprofits can benefit from, and served as the measure of attainment that new generations should aspire to.
Unsung Hero – These quiet champions transform services from routine to exceptional because they get things done, serve with heart and don’t waste time asking for recognition. They’re an example of how to truly excel and an inspiration for those around them. This award exists to create a space where these humble leaders get the recognition they deserve.
Youth Award (High School) – The next generation of non-profit leaders and innovators are already giving of their time and individual passion as they work toward their high school graduation. This award will recognize one of these young people for the work they do on behalf of causes they care for.
Nonprofit Contributor/Partner – Non-Profits don’t succeed without the support of community supporters who give of themselves and their resources to empower the transformative work our organizations do each day. This awards a community contributor and partner who has a heart for making sure nonprofits have what they need to succeed.
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!
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.
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.
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