Community Event Support Grants

First 5 Kern has put over $200 million into the community since our founding by Proposition 10 in 1998. The majority of those dollars were provided to programs that deliver key services for children and families. But operating a full, year-round program isn’t the only way to receive support.

Each year, tens of thousands of dollars are awarded for other means of raising awareness for issues that impact the youngest in our county. Events like educational conferences, community health fairs, family events, and car seat giveaways are great ways to show your support for young children and their families, and may be eligible to receive funding.

In order to receive consideration for funding, you must complete the below event form, outlining the event and detailing how the First 5 Kern funds will be used. Your event must demonstrate a targeted approach to benefit children 0-5 and their families. All requests for funding of this kind have a maximum award of $5,000.

If approved, all events must follow our contractor information guidelines.

Resource table for First 5 Kern at a recent early education and child care conference

Organizations and Events that received community support from First 5 Kern in 2021-22:

  • Assistance League Operation School Bell
  • Laborers of the Harvest holiday food drives
  • Kern Medical Foundation Reach Out and Read
  • Caring Corner’s Family Collaboratives
  • Bakersfield Pregnancy Center drive-thru baby showers
  • KidsFest

All requests must be made through the online portal below.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROCESS

First 5 Kern receives dozens of requests for funding each year, under First 5 Kern’s Community Support Policy. Funding is awarded based on the educational and service value, the number of children prenatal to age five and their families served, how the event/project/conference aligns with the mission and vision of First 5 Kern, and the availability of funds. A Community Support and Sponsorship Funding Policy is in place for the purpose of a fair and consistent way to respond to sponsorship requests.

PROCEDURE

  1.  Complete the above online form.  Fill in all fields, and include any information you think would properly demonstrate the impact on the lives of children 0-5 and their families. ALL REQUESTS MUST BE MADE A MINIMUM OF 30 DAYS IN ADVANCE OF THE EVENT DATE. All applicants will be notified within 30 days of submission.
  1. The Executive Director and Communications and Media Specialist will review each entry to ensure the community support for the event or project meets qualifications:
    1. The purpose of the event/project/conference is consistent with the Commission’s Strategic Plan.
    2. Educational/informational materials are designed for children prenatal to age five and their families.
    3. Funding will strengthen community capacity to meet the needs of children prenatal to age five and their families.
    4. Requested funds are available; and will be used to supplement (not supplant) other funding.
    5. Approval of the request is consistent with Commission Policy on unsolicited grants.
  1. Requests for Commission support for community and educational events and activities will be evaluated according to the following guidelines:
    • The requesting organization must be a legally constituted 501(c)3 nonprofit organization or government agency.
    • The purpose of the event or activity must be consistent with the Commission’s Strategic Plan.
    • The event or activity must benefit children ages 0 to 5 and their families.
    • The requested funds must be available in the current operating budget.
    • The requested funds must be used to supplement and not supplant other funding.
    • The requested funds must not be used for advocacy for a political cause, legislative position, or lobbying local, state or federal legislators.
    • The event or activity must not be used to benefit an individual.
    • The event or activity must not be used for fundraising purposes.
    • The First 5 Kern attribution logo must be used on printed materials relating to the event or activity.

APPROVAL PROCESS

The Communications and Media Specialist will contact the requestor to inform them if the request is approved or denied upon direction of the Executive Director:

        1. First 5 Kern will verify if an ACH Vendor Packet (with W9) is current and on file (this is mandatory).
        2. Upon approval requestors should email the Vendor Packet to First 5 Kern’s Fiscal Administrative Specialist: cgardner@first5kern.org as well as Kevin Bartl: kbartl@first5kern.org
        3. Requestors will be provided with the Attribution Policy regarding proper logo usage. Promotional materials for the event/project/conference must acknowledge First 5 Kern as a sponsor using the attribution logo.

The Communications and Media Specialist is required to approve all materials before printing to ensure appropriate attribution.

PROMOTING THE EVENT

Please share with First 5 Kern any flyers, social media posts, event/project/conference program, etc. so that (if the requestor desires) we can also help promote the event/project/conference on social media media and the Handprints Newsletter.

AFTER EVENT COMPLETION

Once your event or project is completed, within 30 days you are required to submit either by letter or email to the Communications and Media Specialist:

    1. The number of children prenatal to age five and families that were reached.
    2. Total number of attendees (as accurately as possible)
    3. Copies of printed materials such as flyers, brochures and event/project/conference program highlighting age-appropriate activities. Include age appropriate materials whenever applicable.
    4. Photographs from the event/project/conference.
    5. Impact stories or anecdotal information on the benefits of the event
    6. NOTE: Due to Proposition 10 reporting and evaluation guidelines, this follow up step is very important. Failure to provide adequate information summarizing how First 5 Kern funding helped support your project or event can hinder your ability to be considered for future requests.

The Executive Director will submit a letter of approval to the First 5 Kern Commission for their record and notification (see meeting schedule: http://first5kern.org/meetings/).

NOTE: This policy is necessary to provide a fair and consistent way to respond to requests for financial support. Commission support for community events, educational symposia, event co-sponsorship and other activities is desirable if such support aligns with the Commission’s Strategic Plan. In making determinations about such support, consideration will also be given to the educational and service value of the event or activity, the number of young children and their families served and the availability of funds.

Community Funding Request

Organization or event logo(Required)
Accepted file types: jpg, jpeg, png, gif.
Type of Organization(Required)

Tell us about the event or program for which you are requesting funding

MM slash DD slash YYYY
Has First 5 Kern funded this event in the past?(Required)
Has First 5 Kern funded your agency in the past?(Required)
Max. file size: 100 MB.

Please feel free to contact Kevin Bartl, Communications and Media Specialist, with any questions:
Kevin Bartl
661.328.7034
kbartl@first5kern.org

**Guidelines for receiving Community Support funds are based on Kern County Children and Families Commission Administrative Bulletin No. 4 (dated June, 2011).**