Community Event Support Grants (First 5 Kern)

Community Event Support Grants (First 5 Kern) is sponsored by First 5 Kern. First 5 Kern provides funding for events and programs that benefit children aged 0-5 and their families in Kern County, focusing on educational and service value.

Community Event Support Grants - First 5 Kern Skip to content Community Event First 5 Kern has invested over $220 million into the community since our founding in 1998. The majority of those dollars were provided to programs through a multi-year funding cycle. However, operating a year-round program isn’t the only way to receive support.

Special activities such as educational conferences, community health fairs, and car seat safety checks are great examples of how organizations work with young children and their families, and may be eligible for our Community Event Support Grants. Applicants can review the qualifications below under the “Procedures” tab. In order to receive consideration for funding, you must complete the event form below.

The summary should include details and a clear breakdown of how the funds from First 5 Kern will be utilized. 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.

Organizations and Events that received community support grants from First 5 Kern in 2025-26: KC Public Health Safe Baby Safe Child Conference KC Public Health Safe Baby Safe Child Conference Kern County Fair - Nursing Room Kern County Fair - Nursing Room Kern Down Syndrome Network - Parent Partners Kern Down Syndrome Network - Parent Partners Now Alternative Solutions - Community Care Connect Now Alternative Solutions - Community Care Connect Author visit & staff training Author visit & staff training Grandma Whoople's Agriculture Indoors Grandma Whoople's Agriculture Indoors Panama-Buena Vista USD TK & Kinder welcome event Panama-Buena Vista USD TK & Kinder welcome event Victory Family Services Mother's Day Victory Family Services Mother's Day Bakersfield Angels Every Sole Matters Bakersfield Angels Every Sole Matters First 5 Kern receives dozens of requests for funding each year, under our Community Support Policy.

Funding is awarded based on the educational and service value, the number of children (aged 0-5) and their families that will be 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.

Community Event Support Grant funding request " * " indicates required fields This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Organization or event logo * Accepted file types: jpg, jpeg, png, gif.

Organization street address * Organization town & zip code * Organization or event website * School or school district Child care or early learning facility Tell us about the event or program for which you are requesting funding Name of event or program * Description of event or program * What is your anticipated attendance? * What is your anticipated attendance of children 0-5 * What is the amount that you are requesting?

* Describe how First 5 Kern funds will be used to support your event? * Describe specifically how First 5 Kern dollars will be spent. Include items that will be purchased, a description of those items, quantities and cost.

Has First 5 Kern funded this event in the past? * Has First 5 Kern funded your agency in the past? * Please describe any marketing opportunities available for First 5 Kern at your event.

Formal request on letterhead (not required) Max. file size: 200 MB. Grant Application Procedures 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.

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 First 5 Kern's mission and vision. 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.

The Communications Manager will contact the requestor to inform them if the request is approved or denied upon direction of the Executive Director. First 5 Kern will verify if an ACH Vendor Packet (with W9) is current and on file (this is mandatory). Upon approval requestors must email the Vendor Packet to First 5 Kern Finance Manager Crystal Gardner (cgardner@first5kern.

org) and Communications Manager Kevin Bartl (kbartl@first5kern. org). 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 Manager is required to approve all materials before printing to ensure appropriate attribution. 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/). Once your event or project is completed, grantees are required to complete the below Event Grant Summary Form within 30 days. 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 . This policy is necessary to provide a fair and consistent way to respond to requests for financial support. Commission support for these events is desirable if such support aligns with the Commission’s mission and vision.

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

Community Event Support Grant summary form (TO BE COMPLETED AFTER THE EVENT) " * " indicates required fields This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

School or school district Child care or early learning facility Date the project was completed/Event date * Number of attendees or persons served by the event/project * Children 0-5 Parents or caregivers of 0-5 children Providers (includes health, family, or educational support professionals) Describe your event/project associated with your Community Support Grant.

* Would this event/project have been completed without the First 5 Kern community grant funding? * Describe how children have been impacted by this work? * Please provide a description of how First 5 Kern funds were used for this event/project.

Please upload pictures of your final project, or pictures from your event. (Limit to no more than 5 photos) First 5 Kern reserves the right to utilize any and all submitted images in digital and/or print publications. It is recommended that you submit photos that do not include children, or if images of children are used, they cannot be identified in the photos.

Upload any promotional files, graphics or images used for communications purposes for the event or project. (Limit to 5 items) Testimonial (OPTIONAL: if you would like to include a statement regarding how First 5 Kern has assisted your project, which we may use for promotional purposes) Consent * I agree the information in this report is accurate Please feel free to contact Kevin Bartl, Communications Manager, with any questions: