Kern Community Foundation
Kern Community Foundation is a public charity based in Bakersfield, California. Founded in 1999, it serves as a charitable resource for local donors and corporations, connects donor interests with community needs, and makes grants for philanthropic purposes in Kern County.
Kern Community Foundation at a glance
In short: Kern Community Foundation gave $5.1M across 34 grants in 2024 (avg $151K), mostly in California. 53% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $5,133,821
- +1325.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 34
- +183.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $150,995
- +403.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $39,175
- Total assets
- $46,020,980
- +5.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 53% first-time grantees (18 of 34, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (98% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Kern Community Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Applications for available grants are submitted through the foundation’s online grant portal; organizations must register with the foundation before applying.
- Review Cycle
- The Kern River Valley Community Fund application window is September 1–October 15, 2026. The Women’s and Girls’ Fund lists a Letter of Intent window of September 1–October 16, 2026, with Letters of Intent due online by 5:00 p.m. on October 16.
- Deadline
- The Kern River Valley Community Fund application window is September 1–October 15, 2026.
- Contact
Mailing address: 5701 Truxtun Ave Suite 110, Bakersfield, CA 93309
Phone: (661) 325-5346
Website: https://kernfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
9 open opportunities from Kern Community Foundation
Borel Fire Relief Fund Grant
Kern Community Foundation
Amount
More than US $20,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
K-12 Catholic Education Scholarship
Kern Community Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Kern Community Foundation Farmworkers Grant
Kern Community Foundation
Amount
Up to US $50,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Kern Community Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Aera Energy Fund ($2.9M). Together the top 10 received $4.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
491 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 445 grants of 491 (91%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated charitable work centers on Kern County, California. In 2024, 98% of itemized grant dollars went to recipients in California, 2% to Massachusetts, and less than 1% to Minnesota.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 34 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Kern Community Foundation open to new grantees?
53%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 18 of 34 grantees (53%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $252K; repeat grants $38K. How we count
Medians: $82K first-time, $16K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $360K (2023) to $5.1M (2024). In 2024 it made 34 grants totaling $5.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Aera Energy Fund Bakersfield, CA | Charitable | $2,918,446 |
| Youth for Christ Kern County Fund Bakersfield, CA | Charitable | $243,000 |
| Linked Fund Bakersfield, CA | Charitable | $229,000 |
| California State University Bakersfield Bakersfield, CA | Charitable | $219,066 |
| Upper Kern Fisheries Enhancement Fund Bakersfield, CA | Charitable | $204,886 |
| Aera Energy Fund for Conservation and the Environment Maricopa, CA | Charitable | $150,000 |
| Hay Family Foundation Fund Carlsbad, CA | Charitable | $129,041 |
| Rod Stiefvater Foundation Fund Bakersfield, CA | Charitable | $124,560 |
| Bakersfield Museum of Art Fund Bakersfield, CA | Charitable | $100,561 |
| Southern Sierra Council Boy Scouts of America - Camp Kern Fund Bakersfield, CA | Charitable | $89,611 |
Ready to take the next step with Kern Community Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $46,020,980 | $8,462,271 | $8,783,895 | $5,133,821 | 34 | $2,065,446 |
| 2023 | $43,441,433 | $5,081,433 | $4,300,421 | $360,050 | 12 | $1,352,622 |
| 2022 | $38,202,880 | $11,306,758 | $4,338,649 | $2,090,885 | 67 | $1,088,873 |
| 2021 | $39,214,030 | $6,488,635 | $3,461,622 | $1,738,071 | 77 | $1,341,483 |
| 2020 | $32,465,220 | $6,932,492 | $4,578,357 | $2,622,824 | 301 | $1,734,402 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is “Growing Community. Growing Philanthropy.” Its website describes a focus on helping donors support causes they care about and on making Kern County more vibrant, healthier, and stronger. The organization’s 2024 filing also identifies college access and nonprofit strengthening as areas of initiative.
The foundation’s grants support a range of organizations. For example, Kern County Youth for Christ says it works with adults, student leaders, churches, schools, and community partners to address young people’s needs. California State University Bakersfield Foundation says it supports the university through advocacy, fundraising, and financial management. The Bakersfield Museum of Art says it provides visual arts exhibitions, preservation, education, outreach, and events; Kern Dance Alliance says it promotes understanding and appreciation of dance through education and performance outreach.
Grantmaking
The foundation reported 34 itemized grants totaling $5,133,821 in 2024. Grant amounts ranged from $7,000 to $2,918,446, with a median of $39,175. Its 2024 filing narrative separately describes approximately $5,219,376 in grants awarded.
The largest itemized grant was $2,918,446 to Aera Energy Fund. Other major 2024 grants included $243,000 to Youth for Christ Kern County Fund, $229,000 to Linked Fund, $219,066 to California State University Bakersfield, and $204,886 to Upper Kern Fisheries Enhancement Fund. The filing lists the purposes of these grants as charitable.
The foundation’s website describes competitive grant opportunities, including the Upper Kern Fisheries program, which supports conservation projects in the Upper Kern River Basin, and the Kern River Valley Community Fund, which distributes grants for social, economic, and environmental prosperity in the region. The Women’s and Girls’ Fund prioritizes education and daily-life knowledge for women and girls in Kern County, with stated priority domains including mental health and social-emotional learning, life skills and economic mobility, health education and safety, and priority populations and settings.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Carlos Sanchez as chair, Glenda Garcia as vice chair, Vincent Oddo as treasurer, Tanya Alsheikh as secretary, and Aaron Falk as president/CEO. Directors listed are Joe Gregory, John C. Hershey III, Justin Leland, Lydia Chaney, and Laura Wolfe.
Kern Community Foundation is led by Aaron Falk, President & CEO on every filing since 2022; 1 of 12 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Aaron Falk
President & CEO
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$148K (2022) → $167K (2024)
Carlos Sanchez
Chair
Treasurer → Vice Chairer, 2022
Vice Chairer → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joe Gregory
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John C. Hershey III
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Justin Leland
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lydia Chaney
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laura Wolfe
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Frank Woolridge
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sara Palmer
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tanya Alsheikh
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Glenda Garcia
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Vincent Oddo
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (9)
- Former: Jeffrey A. Gutierrez (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Kristen A. Beall Watson (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Martha Terrazas (2020–2022) — Treasuer
- Former: Susan Hopkins (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Kevin C. Findley (2020–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Stephen Sanders (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: David Denison (2020) — Director
- Former: Diane White (2020) — Chair
- Former: Kate Tandy (2020) — Vice Chair
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $167K, to Aaron Falk (President/CEO).
Frequently asked questions about Kern Community Foundation
How much does Kern Community Foundation give each year?
Kern Community Foundation gave $5.1M across 34 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $360K across 12 grants.
What is Kern Community Foundation's typical grant size?
Kern Community Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $39,175, and its average grant was $150,995, across 34 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Kern Community Foundation that year got $252K on average.
Where does Kern Community Foundation give grants?
Kern Community Foundation gives mostly in California: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Bakersfield, CA (20 grants) and Los Angeles, CA (2 grants).
Does Kern Community Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 34 grants with a stated purpose on Kern Community Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable" (34 grants).
Who are Kern Community Foundation's largest grantees?
Kern Community Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Aera Energy Fund ($2,918,446), Youth for Christ Kern County Fund ($243,000) and Linked Fund ($229,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 66% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Kern Community Foundation?
Kern Community Foundation reported $46.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $8.5M.
What does Kern Community Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is “Growing Community. Growing Philanthropy.” Its website describes a focus on helping donors support causes they care about and on making Kern County more vibrant, healthier, and stronger. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Kern Community Foundation?
Applications for available grants are submitted through the foundation’s online grant portal; organizations must register with the foundation before applying. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Kern Community Foundation's EIN?
Kern Community Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 77-0555874. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 20, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 4, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 25, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Kern Community Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
The Virginia and Alfred Harrell
Bakersfield, CA
The Virginia and Alfred Harrell funds nonprofit projects in animal welfare, education, literacy, the environment, and cultural, historic, and beautification improvements, with a focus on Kern County, California; organizations elsewhere may be considered if their project serves the county. In 2025, grants ranged from $5,000 to $79,977, with a median of $16,422. It accepts unsolicited requests by email; organizations whose projects seem like a fit are invited to apply.
Assets
$15.9M
Grants
26
Total Given
$585K
Bakersfield Memorial Hospital
Phoenix, AZ
Bakersfield Memorial Hospital funds healthcare access, community health, and support for underserved people, including health and community organizations in California. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,590 to $13,677,360, with a median of $25,000; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
14
Total Given
$16.2M
Valley Strong Cu FKA Kern Schools Federal Credit Union
Bakersfield, CA
Valley Strong CU supports community efforts in education, health, senior well-being, youth services, financial literacy, and business and career development, primarily in California. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,150 to $500,000, with a median of $12,965. It accepts donation and sponsorship requests through a form on its website.
Assets
$3.9B
Grants
45
Total Given
$1.7M
United Way Worldwide
Alexandria, VA
United Way Worldwide funds community programs focused on youth opportunity, health, financial security, education, and disaster relief, with 2024 grants made across multiple U.S. states and internationally. Its 209 reported grants ranged from $5,100 to $736,333, with a median of $22,675. It does not state whether it accepts unsolicited grant requests.
Assets
$68.0M
Grants
209
Total Given
$11.4M
Resnick Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
The Resnick Foundation supports a broad range of charitable organizations, including universities, cultural institutions, community foundations, and public-safety groups, with most of its 2025 grant dollars going to California. Grants ranged from $1,076 to $20.2 million, with a median of $25,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$14.9M
Grants
152
Total Given
$78.3M
More similar funders
More Funders in California
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Kern Community Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/kern-community-foundation-morg_7f59f9aa01cb43eb982ed0efc2f51f8b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_770555874_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Kern Community Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/kern-community-foundation-morg_7f59f9aa01cb43eb982ed0efc2f51f8b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Kern Community Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Kern Community Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?