Guideline for Grant Applications:
At any time during the year, the Foundation may consider giving grants outside of its Fall/Spring cycles in the areas of literacy, animal welfare and education. Please call 395-7290 prior to applying.
Tips for Applying
When considering an application, the Foundation looks for:
• A clear and specific budget for the project requiring funding, including how the requested funds will be allocated. • The projected number of constituents the project will serve.
• The inclusion of the required supporting documents with your application. These required documents include: a copy of your 501(c)3; the aforementioned budget; and the list of your organization’s board members.
• 501(c)3 organizations. The Foundation is only able to donate money to organizations that are 501(c)3 nonprofits.
If you are unsure if your project or your organization fits our current guidelines, please call (661) 395-7290 to discuss.
Eligibility
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. 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.
The Bakersfield Californian Foundation receives more worthy grant applications than it can fund. Please review the guidelines for the current grant cycle to determine if your program/project is a good fit for the current grant focus.
Criteria
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.
Once a grant is awarded, a report is expected on how the received funds were put into practice. The foundation cannot consider any new monetary requests from an organization that has not returned such a report.
In lieu of plaques and awards, the Foundation would appreciate public recognition of the grant awarded.
Limitations and Restrictions
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.
- Organizations 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.
- The foundation does not fund multi-year requests.
When to Apply
Foundation directors meet in May and November to award grants.
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 required to show written proof of grant implementation.
Each year the foundation will assess the impact of prior year grants.