Bakersfield, CA — December 26, 2025: Kern Community Foundation (KCF) announces that Aaron Falk, President and CEO, will be stepping down as he prepares for his next chapter in South Carolina. The Board Chair, Lydia Chaney, thanks Aaron for his leadership and the difference he has made in Kern County through KCF’s programs and partnerships. “Aaron has done a wonderful job with the Foundation’s growth. While we are saddened to see him go, we wish Aaron and his family the absolute best in their upcoming chapter,” said Chaney.
Since December 2021, Aaron has strengthened KCF’s programs and built strong relationships with local nonprofits and donors. Through his leadership, the Foundation grew its scholarship program to over $1 million and increased Give Big Kern’s visibility, supporting over 120 local nonprofits and reaching $1.7 million in 2025. He also launched the Bakersfield Youth Jobs Program in partnership with the City of Bakersfield, serving over 300 youths, and led Borel Fire disaster relief, granting over $180,000.
To ensure a smooth transition, the Board has appointed Fatima “Teems” Tulfo, the Foundation’s Chief Impact Officer, as Interim CEO. Tulfo will lead the Foundation and collaborate with the Board during the transition. Details about the search process will be shared in late winter.
About Kern Community Foundation Kern Community Foundation is a vibrant nonprofit enterprise with a simple mission: “Growing Community. Growing Philanthropy.” For 25 years, the Foundation has been in business to serve as a charitable resource for local donors and corporations and to generate capital that provides philanthropic solutions to help make Kern County a better place to live, work, and visit. Since its establishment in 1999, we have been home to almost 200 charitable funds with assets over $50 million. We have awarded close to $30 million in grants and scholarships. For more information about Kern Community Foundation, visit kernfoundation.org.
The Women’s and Girls’ Fund (WGF) is a leadership initiative of Kern Community Foundation (KCF). We work to transform the lives of women and girls in Kern County by mobilizing the power and passion of women working together. In particular, we educate to build awareness of needs unmet by current strategies, endow a permanent fund whose annual yield supports programs benefiting women and girls, and empower women and girls to be philanthropists and advocates for positive social change.
The application process begins with the submission of a Letter of Intent (LOI) to apply for funding by 5 p.m. Nov. 14.
We encourage applicants to do the following:
First, learn about The Women’s and Girls’ Fund by visiting the WGF page on Kern Community Foundation’s website, kernfoundation.org/WGF.
Review The Women’s and Girls’ Fund’s Grantmaking Policy, which outlines qualifying criteria and our focus for 2026-2030 Grants: Education + Daily‑Life Knowledge.
Grantees who received WGF grants in the Spring of 2025 may not apply for WGF 2026 funding. Any previous awardees of WGF or other grants from the Foundation that have outstanding follow-up reports must complete those reports before they can apply for WGF funding.
Agencies must also comply with Kern Community Foundation’s grantmaking guidelines, which include:
Being registered with Kern Community Foundation through the same Online Grants Platform that can be accessed via the hyperlink above; and
Having a Silver or higher transparency rating on GuideStar.org, the world’s largest database on nonprofits.
About The Women’s and Girls’ Fund
The Women’s and Girls’ Fund (WGF) is a leadership initiative of Kern Community Foundation (KCF). We work to transform the lives of women and girls in Kern County by mobilizing the power and passion of women working together. In particular, we educate to build awareness of needs unmet by current strategies, endow a permanent fund whose annual yield supports programs benefiting women and girls, and empower women and girls to be philanthropists and advocates for positive social change.
About Kern Community Foundation
Kern Community Foundation is a vibrant nonprofit enterprise with a simple mission: “Growing Community. Growing Philanthropy.” For 25 years, the Foundation has been in business to serve as a charitable resource for local donors and corporations and to generate capital that provides philanthropic solutions to help make Kern County a better place to live, work, and visit. Since its establishment in 1999, we have been home to almost 200 charitable funds. We have awarded close to $30 million in grants and scholarships. For more information about Kern Community Foundation, visit kernfoundation.org.
We are thrilled to announce JJ’s Legacy 8th Annual Grillin’ and Brewin’ will take place November 9, 2023. This much anticipated fundraising event will have the same delicious, mouth-watering BBQ prepared by our local award-winning competition BBQ team, The Ridge Route Boys, Curtis Trigueiro, and PorkChop and Bubbas BBQ will join! New this year – popular local country music star Joe Peters will be our entertainment. The fundraiser benefits JJ’s Legacy Got the Dot High School Leadership Program and Club. This essential learning platform educates local students about the need and importance of registering to become an organ, eye, and tissue donor.
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.
