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.
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.
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.
Plumas Corp is looking for a full-time (40 hours/week) Giant Sequoia Coordinator and Watershed Restoration Project Manager in the Southern Sierras. The Giant Sequoia Coordinator work is 75% of the position and directly supports the Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition (GSLC) efforts. The Watershed Restoration Project Manager work is 25% of the position and assists other staff in managing a suite of Plumas Corp watershed restoration projects in the Southern Sierra region. Projects are located primarily on public lands (Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument, Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Park, Sierra National Forest), at elevations of 3,000- 9,000 feet. Field work may consist of collecting meadow topographic survey data, evaluating wildfire hazard conditions, evaluating and mapping vegetation, trees and forests (including giant sequoia groves), conducting stand exams, hydrologic and forest monitoring, and project implementation. The position includes both office and field work. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand. In addition to fair weather field work, expect heat, cold, rain, snow, noise, and dust. Travel to remote locations can be expected. For more information (Click Here).
Bakersfield Youth Jobs Program (BYJP) City Hall Summer Interns videos for National Intern Day. Thank you to our partners at the City of Bakersfield and California Volunteers. For more information on BYJP, please visit www.kernfoundation.org/byjp.
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