The Kern River Valley Community Fund (KRVCF), a regional initiative of Kern Community Foundation, is a permanently endowed fund established by members and residents of the Kern River Valley community to keep local capital local and working for the benefit of our community, thereby building social, economic and environmental prosperity. The Fund is overseen by a broad and inclusive representation of community members who recommend how to use the funds to benefit the KRV.

Kern River Valley Community Fund’s Purpose & Mission

The specific purpose of our Fund is to receive philanthropic contributions and to distribute grants for charitable purposes that provide solutions to make the KRV a better place to live, to work and to visit. KRV residents will transfer some $3 billion between generations by 2060. Our long-term goal is to inspire people to contribute at least 5% of this wealth to permanent endowments, including KRVCF.

Kern River Valley Community Fund Competitive Grants

The grant application window is now OPEN. Apply today by clicking the grant application button below.

The specific purpose of this permanently endowed fund is to receive philanthropic contributions and to distribute grants to provide solutions and build social, economic, and environmental prosperity in one of the most scenic yet underserved areas of Kern County.

What are the Kern River Valley Community Funds?

The Kern River Valley Community Funds (“Funds”) are a set of non-endowed and endowed field of interest funds established by Kern Community Foundation (“Foundation”) and members of the Kern River Valley community with the purpose of receiving philanthropic contributions and distributing grants for charitable purposes to provide mental, moral, intellectual and physical improvement, assistance and relief for the residents of the community of Kern River Valley (defined as the geographic service area of Alta Sierra on the west, Riverkern on the north, Walker Pass on the east and Caliente, Loraine and Twin Oaks on the south.)

How are grants made from the Kern River Valley Community Funds?

Grants from the Kern River Valley Funds will be determined by the Grant Committee and distributed upon approval of the Board of Directors of Kern Community Foundation. The Grant Committee serves as a trusted local advisor to the Foundation’s Board of Directors and consists of at least 9 members who are members of the Kern River Valley community and donors to one or more of the Funds. One member shall serve as Chair. All members of the Grant Committee shall be appointed on an annual basis by a majority of the Directors of the Foundation.

The Matching Gift that Gave Us a Kick Start!

Thanks to a generous matching gift from an anonymous resident of the KRV, donor contributions up to $100,000 were matched, dollar for dollar, allowing the Fund to reach its $200,000 endowment goal much quicker than would have been possible otherwise. At the end of 2017, the KRV Community Endowed Fund exceeded $220,000, and interest from the Fund could begin to be used for grantmaking each year, leaving the principal intact for future generations in perpetuity.

The KRVCF is managed through the Kern Community Foundation for the sole benefit of the residents of the KRV. When you donate to the Fund you receive an immediate tax deduction for your contributions as allowed by law and, for appreciated assets, avoid long-term capital gains tax.

How to Contribute

• Check
  • Payable to Kern Community Foundation (Tax ID# 77-0555874), and designated for the Kern River Valley Community Fund.
• Credit Card
  • Payable online here. Be sure to specify Kern River Valley Community Fund under “I would like to support.”
• Other Assets
  • Payable with other assets such as stock, private equity, retirement accounts, life insurance, and real estate
  • Contact Kern Community Foundation’s Donor Services at 661.616.2617.