The Bakersfield Californian Foundation
The Bakersfield Californian is a family-owned publication, which evolved directly from Kern County’s first newspaper, The Weekly Courier. The Fritts family is descended from Alfred Harrell who purchased the Californian in 1897. He served as The Californian’s publisher for nearly 50 years and was deeply committed to Kern County and its betterment. Upon his death, his wife Virginia Harrell assumed the leadership of The Californian. Next to head up the newspaper was their daughter Bernice Harrell Chipman. Mrs. Chipman passed away in 1967 and her daughter Berenice Fritts Koerber became President until her death in 1988.
Today Mrs. Koerber’s daughter, Ginger Moorhouse, is publisher and chairman of The Bakersfield Californian.
The Bakersfield Californian Foundation was organized by the Fritts family to continue the tradition of Alfred Harrell and respond to the needs of communities in Kern County.
The foundation is an instrument by which private resources are applied for the public good within Kern County. It is the purpose of the foundation to sustain the quality of life and to search for opportunities to apply its resources to making Kern County communities more humane, just and enjoyable places in which to live.
The members of the Foundation Board of Directors are:
Ginger Moorhouse, President
Richard S. Beene, Secretary/Treasurer
Rayburn S. Dezember, Board Member
Don Murfin, Board Member
Cynthia Icardo, Board Member
Faye Rinker, Board Member
Tracey Cowenhoven, Board Member
Kaarin Simpson, Administrator
The Bakersfield Californian Foundation is a nonprofit corporation formed by The Bakersfield Californian to receive and disburse funds to promote programs pertaining to education with an emphasis on literacy and journalism, along with various cultural projects.
The foundation provided grants to Kern County not-for-profit organizations engaged in the fields of education with emphasis on literacy, and to various cultural programs that enhance the community’s appreciation of the arts, both visual and performing.
The foundation may distribute money only to organizations exempt from federal income tax under the provisions of Internal Revenue Code, 501©(3) exemption granted by the Internal Revenue Service.
With the exception of scholarships, The Bakersfield Californian foundation grants are limited to incorporated nonprofit tax exempt organizations in Kern County. Capital projects will be considered.
Short-term operating support may be provided to new organizations and new program initiatives in the form of grants for start-up costs. Such grants are most often provided for one to three years only.
General operating support grants will be considered for worthwhile ongoing programs but no grants will be considered to eliminate previously incurred deficits or to add to endowment funds.
Distributing directors of the Foundation look for opportunities where a moderate amount of grant money can effect a significant result in the county. They therefore look for proposals from organizations with a well planned approach to programs that fall within the Bakersfield Californian foundation’s guidelines and have a base of other support (financial, participatory and voluntary), and with a committed leadership and the involvement of individuals who have the skills and training necessary to carry out the work.
In some cases, the foundation may award grants to an organization provided the organization can match, from other resources, the funds to be awarded. The foundation will award the matching grant funds upon receipt of written proof that corresponding funds have been obtained by the nonprofit organization.
The foundation has a particular interest in assisting grassroots, self-help organizations that are addressing community concerns.
Funding will not be considered for the following types of requests. Any such request will be returned to the applicant:
- Organizations that do not have a tax-exempt status from the state and federal government; or do not comply with other terms of provisions of the foundation’s application procedures.
- General fund-raising events, campaigns, dinners, or mass mailings.
- Direct aid to individuals.
- Grants to organizations who use funds granted to support other organizations.
- All applicants for grants, which do not fall within the foundation’s specific areas of interest, set forth above.
Program staff at the Foundation will be happy to discuss project ideas either by telephone or by personal interview, before a formal application is submitted. Contact Kaarin Simpson at (661) 395-7220.
NOTE: In completing the assessment and research necessary to properly present a proposal submitted to the Foundation, staff will consult with knowledgeable individuals and agencies active in the same field, and will feel free to discuss, in general terms, any proposal under consideration.
The Bakersfield Californian Foundation will accept grant applications, from philanthropic organizations with 501(c)3 I.R.S. designation, during the month of September 2008, deadline to apply is September 30, 2008. The directors will meet in November 2008, at which time the qualifying applications will be reviewed.
Because proposals are not submitted to decision-making boards until staff has judged them to be complete, and because recommendations of advisory committees are frequently sought prior to grantmaking meetings, submission of proposals before the deadline is required.
After the application for grants has been reviewed, applicants will be notified if an interview or a site visit is desired.
Organizations receiving grants will be requested to show proof of grant implementation through photographs, letters and/or on-site visits.
Each year the foundation will study and assess the impact of prior year grants.
The Bakersfield Californian Grant Application is readable with Adobe Reader.
If you do not have Adobe Reader. Download the Microsoft Word Version