On Friday, November 13, the Foundation announced the winners of our $100,000, $50,000 and $25,000 grant awards. Inspired by all the worthwhile projects, the Foundation actually handed out several grant awards in two of the three categories, as well as offering one organization a matching grant.
•Community Action Partnership of Kern won the $100,000 grant award for their Food Bank Solar Energy Improvement Project, which will install solar panels on their Food Bank. The Foundation was impressed by the in-kind support CAPK received from both the City of Bakersfield and the County of Kern for this project, as well as the projected savings these solar panels will provide — $44,000, annually, allowing them to reinvest the savings into distributing an additional 308,000 pounds of food per year.
•One $50,000 award went to Bakersfield SPCA for their WAGGIN’ TAIL CORRAL — “Saving Lives One Paw at a Time” project, which involves transforming 1,800 square feet of open space outside their lobby doors into a pet playground for small dogs, allowing the dogs exercise, and providing a space for potential adopters and dogs to interact. In addition, the playground area will be utilized to introduce potential adopters’ current dogs to the ones they are looking to adopt. Also, the more park-like setting will provide a nicer atmosphere, for dogs and adopters alike, without the “shelter” feel. This more natural shelter setting is a first for Bakersfield.
•Children First Campaign was the recipient of the second $50,000 grant award, to help fund the construction of the East Bakersfield Family Zone Pocket Park, a neighborhood green space. The Foundation’s Board was inspired by the grassroots efforts of this project, as well as the organization’s focus on giving the community a say in how to best improve their neighborhood. Children First Campaign was also offered an additional $50,000, if they could match that amount by May 13, 2016.
•One of the three $25,000 grant award winners was the Independent Living Center of Kern County, to aid in the purchase a wheelchair-accessible van. The Board was impressed by the many benefits this van will provide the organization, including providing transportation for their Reuse Repair program, which provides pre-owned wheelchairs at no cost; aiding their Job Placement Program; and helping to relocate their clients from institutional living to home care, and setting up and transporting necessary items for this transition. This will be one hard-working van!
•Lamont Women’s Club, Inc., was our second $25,000 grant winner. This grant will help to relocate and refurbish the old Lamont town sign, which is in need of a little TLC. The Foundation was inspired by the community support for this project, and for all the in-kind offers, including labor and volunteer hours, that this project generated.
•Last but not least, Youth 2 Leaders Education Foundation was awarded $25,000 for their Technology for College Readiness and Success program. This program will be a resource center for students and their families to work on and navigate the tricky world of college, financial aid, and scholarship applications. The Foundation Board was impressed by the organization’s many outreach programs, its partnership with the Kern County Superintendent of Schools, and its focus on fighting the growing “technology gap” that many disadvantaged students are experiencing.
The Foundation would like to thank all the applicants who applied for our two-part Fall Cycle. Kern County is lucky to have so many dedicated organizations working on its behalf.
Bakersfield Californian Foundation 