The Women’s and Girls’ Fund (WGF), a leadership initiative of Kern Community Foundation (KCF) has released of the 2025 Status of Women and Girls in Kern County Report. This report was prepared in pursuit of the Fund’s purpose to “Transform the Lives of Women and Girls in Kern County by mobilizing the power and passion of Women working together.”
The 2025 Report on the Status of Women and Girls in Kern County was commissioned by The Women’s and Girls’ Fund Vision Committee and Grants Allocation Committee and prepared by the Center for the Advancement of Women at Mount Saint Mary’s University, Los Angeles. A complete report and executive summary are made available as a gift to the community in celebration of The Women’s and Girls’ Fund 20th Anniversary, honoring and recognizing the Founders and Advocate Donors. In recognition of National Mentoring Day on October 27, this milestone also honors all women in the community and the mentoring programs that build connection, leadership, and empowerment every day.
The 2025 Report on the Status of Women and Girls in Kern County was commissioned by The Women’s and Girls’ Fund Vision Committee and Grants Allocation Committee and prepared by the Center for the Advancement of Women at Mount Saint Mary’s University, Los Angeles. A complete report and executive summary are made available as a gift to the community in celebration of The Women’s and Girls’ Fund 20th Anniversary, honoring and recognizing the Founders and Advocate Donors. In recognition of National Mentoring Day on October 27, this milestone also honors all women in the community and the mentoring programs that build connection, leadership, and empowerment every day.
The data included in the report, generated from the 2023 American Community Survey and other relevant reports, provide a portrait of the wellbeing and standing of women and girls in Kern County using a variety of economic and social indicators. The 2025 report examines the status of women and girls across the county in terms of economic wellbeing, home and family, health and safety, and educational attainment. The report highlights both progress and persistent disparities.
Good data should lead to complex questions, reflection, and potential new actions. The goal of this report is to help inform the important work of The Women’s and Girls’ Fund as it sets priorities and makes other data-driven decisions that will continue to improve the status of women and girls in the County and the state. The Fund hopes the findings inspire advocates to drive positive change for the more than 450,000 women and girls who call Kern County home. The report may also help local policymakers make informed decisions and direct resources to support women and girls in the years to come.
Key Takeaways
Demographic Shifts – Women and girls make up nearly half (49%) of Kern County’s population, with Latinas comprising the majority (57%). The county’s female population is younger than the state average, with a median age of 33.
Educational Gains but Persistent Gaps – Educational attainment has improved: 21% of Kern women now hold a bachelor’s degree or higher (up from 16% in 2018). However, only 42% of high school girls graduate meeting UC/CSU requirements, compared to 58% statewide. English learners have high graduation rates (84%) but low college readiness (20%).
Economic Progress with Continued Inequality – Median earnings for full-time working women rose 23% since 2018 to $44,700. Still, women earn only 83 cents for every dollar earned by men, with wider gaps for African American/Black and Latina women. One in three families headed by single women remains in poverty despite overall reductions.
Home and Family Pressures – Nearly half of renters spend over one-third of their income on housing. Marriage rates have declined, and 41% of new mothers in 2023 were unmarried. While homelessness has decreased slightly to 2,606 individuals, nearly one-third remain chronically unhoused.
Health and Safety Challenges – Kern women report mixed health outcomes: high rates of chronic illness and Valley Fever (14 times the state average), but lower breast cancer incidence paired with higher mortality for African American/Black women. Mental health concerns are acute—nearly 20% of women reported a serious psychological episode, and half of adolescent girls experienced chronic sadness. Domestic violence calls have decreased, but incidents involving weapons have surged from 36% to 76% since 2021.
Together, these findings highlight progress in education and earnings but also ongoing racial, economic, and health disparities that demand sustained, targeted action to improve the well-being of women and girls in Kern County.
Next Steps
The report will inform future initiatives aimed at improving the lives for women and girls throughout Kern County. The Women’s and Girls’ Fund is currently accepting Letters of Intent (LOIs) for its 2026 – 2027 grant cycle. Organizations interested in applying should have a 501(c)(3) nonprofit designation or a fiscal sponsor. All organizations seeking funds must have a presence in Kern County, benefit women and/or girls in Kern County, and meet Kern Community Foundation’s eligibility guidelines. The application process begins with the submission of a Letter of Intent (LOI) to apply for funding by the hard deadline of 5 p.m. Nov. 14, 2025. To apply, please visit WGF grantmaking page.
Launched in 2005, 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 Fund has awarded 123 grants totaling $913,233. This year’s $100,000 grant cycle marks a significant milestone in the Fund’s history.
About Kern Community Foundation
Kern Community Foundation is a vibrant nonprofit enterprise with a powerfully 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.
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.
Safe Haven Kids League of California City is an organization dedicated to help families especially. the youth in our community. Over the last two years we have been able to help more than 1000 families in & out of our community & the community we serve. We are currently in the early stages of planning our “A Giving Resource Spectacular event” . This event is designed to help families in need with the Thanksgiving Holiday. This event will include the following: Free food boxes to families in need, free produce, free canned goods, free turkeys or hams, free educational items, free cases of water, free giveaways to all that attend, art & crafts for the kids, Karaoke, hygiene kits. Food & beverage, recycling and more. Also Cal-City Starbucks will be there at our event helping & giving away free coffee & Hot chocolate to our community, we will also have 5 Starbucks stores & employees in this event helping give out food to families in need in our & surrounding community (Cap K) Community Action Partners of Kern, will be there with free food boxes & Produces free to all communities. We are looking to have 8 organizations join this event, to better serve our community.
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.
Artfest 2024 – “A Masterpiece in the Making” takes its theme from the artwork of Polish artist Tamara de Lempicka. Her bold Art Deco style is a fitting backdrop for the introduction of an all-new generation of Artfest. Guests of Artfest will enjoy the appetizers, drinks, and refreshments during the “Stroll & Savor,” bid on children’s artwork in the “Young Artists’ Masterpiece Gallery,” view live performances by the children, participate in silent and live auctions, enjoy a sit-down dinner, and step into the larger-than-life art displays of “Masterpieces on a Grand Scale,” where guests can take photo mementos of this special event. Artfest will be hosted at the lavish Vista Del Lago Estate and benefits the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County.
Safe Haven Kids League of California City: Annual 2023 Holiday Toys & Food Box & First 5 Years Community Resources Giveaway
Safe Haven Kids League of California City is hosting its “Annual Holiday Toys & Food Box & First 5 Years Community Resources Giveaway”. This event will include the following: Free toys to all kids, free food boxes to families in need, Free first 5 years to all mothers and or Fathers, free W.M. backpacks to all the kids, free educational items, free giveaways to all that attend, bounce house, art & crafts for the kids, Karaoke, hygiene kits. Cal-City Starbucks will be there free to our community, (Cap K.) Community Action Partners of Kern, and much more. This year we are focus is on mothers and the kids in the first 5 years we will help to provide the necessary items that they need to help them get through the holiday season diapers, wipes, formula, baby clothes, etc.. Your sponsorship is a big help to our low-income families of our and the surrounding communities, last year we served 200 families at this event with toys and food boxes, and this year with your help we can do more by helping families and mothers and kids in the first 5 years this is very important to (SHKLCC) that we continue to serve & help as many families as we can, we can achieve this with your help.
Safe Haven Kids League of California City Presents “A Giving Resource Spectacular (Help Families With The Thanksgiving Holiday)
Safe Haven Kids League of California City is currently in the early stages of planning our A Giving Resources Speculator. This event is designed to help families in need with the Thanksgiving Holiday. This event will include the following: Free food boxes to families in need, Free Produce, free Turkeys or Hams, free Canned goods, free educational items, free giveaways to all that attend, art & crafts for the kids, Karaoke, hygiene kits. Food & beverage and more. Also Cal-City Starbucks will be there at our event helping & giving away free coffee & Hot chocolate to our community, we will also have 5 Starbucks stores & employees in this event helping give out food to families in need in our & surrounding community (CapK) Community Action Partners of Kern, will be there with free food boxes & Produces free to all communities. We are looking to have 8 organizations join this event, to better serve our community.
Noel Alexandria Foundation is hosting its 6th Annual Running with the Angels 5K RunWalk
N.A.F. was founded in the summer of 2018. The mission of the Noel Alexandria Foundation is to raise awareness and break the silence on Pregnancy and Infant Loss. N.A.F provides free educational, emotional, and financial resources to families affected by Pregnancy and Infant Loss here in Kern County, CA, and internationally. Honoring angel babies gone too soon while raising awareness for pregnancy and infant loss. All proceeds will be donated to the Noel Alexandria Foundation to continue to provide free emotional, educational, and financial resources to families who have been affected by pregnancy and infant loss.
The Kern Alliance of Nonprofits (KAN) is hosting nonprofit trainings. Launched in 2016 by a small group of local nonprofit leaders who care deeply about building the capacity of nonprofit organizations in Kern County. They provide monthly educational workshops on various aspects of nonprofit work taught by qualified leaders, and quarterly social mixers designed to bring community-based organizations and their partners and supporters together for strategic networking.
Date: May 17, 2024 Location: KCSOS City Centre, Rm 1B 1300 17th Street
*Training dates, locations, and topics are tentative and subject to change All trainings will be from 8:30 – 10:00 a.m., with check-in at 8 a.m. Trainings will also be available on Zoom. Link will be sent upon registration. Interested in becoming a member? Click (HERE) and submit your membership form today! The Steering Committee meets monthly to guide the Alliance’s work in the areas of strategic planning, education and nonprofit leadership development, communications and outreach, advocacy, membership, and more. Their mission was…To strengthen the Community Benefit Organizations of Kern County. Following a process that involved stakeholder feedback and strategic planning in the Spring of 2019, the new mission is…To strengthen the Nonprofit Organizations of Kern County through training, networking, and advocacy. Interested in becoming a member of KAN? Click (HERE) and submit your membership form today! KAN’s Vision is…To create a strong community benefit sector that plays a vital role in a healthy, prosperous and vibrant Kern County. Stay up to date on news and events by subscribing to our email list or visiting us on social media: Facebook and Instagram @kernallianceofnonprofits
The
You must be logged in to post a comment.