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. However, operating a year-round program isn’t the only way to receive support.

Each year, tens of thousands of dollars are awarded for other means of supporting programs and 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 event form below. The summary should include details about the event and a clear breakdown of how the funds from First 5 Kern will be utilized. 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 this funding 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 grants from First 5 Kern in 2022-23:

  • Bakersfield Pregnancy Center baby showers
  • Safely Surrendered Baby outreach
  • Kern Valley Aquatics Program life jacket giveaway event
  • Kern County Black Chamber Kids Appreciation Day
  • Riverstone Wellness parent-child playgroups
  • Kern River Valley FRC car seat giveaway
  • Early Childhood Council of Kern Infant Toddler Seminar

 

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.