Foundations that fund organizations in Bakersfield, California
Worked out from where the grants went, not where the foundations sit.
Funding landscape for Bakersfield nonprofits
186 private foundations gave $13M to Bakersfield organizations in their latest filings; 30 of the 100 that say either way accept applications.
544 grants in total, with a typical foundation's median grant to Bakersfield around $15K. 67 of these funders are based in California; the rest give here from elsewhere.
- Foundations giving here
- 186
- Accept applications
- 30
- of 100 that state a policy
- Dollars to Bakersfield
- $13M
- latest filings
- Grants
- 544
- Typical median grant
- $15K
- Based in CA
- 67%
- of funders listed
Funders, by dollars given to Bakersfield organizations
| Foundation | Based in | Grants here | Dollars here | Median | Accepts applications | Typical purposes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marjorie Lindsey Charitable Trust Uad | Pennington, NJ | 7 | $3.1M | $332K | Preselected only | General operating |
| Ravi and Naina Patel Foundation | Bakersfield, CA | 10 | $956K | $4,500 | Yes | Academic support.; General support; Meals for the homeless |
| The California Endowment | Los Angeles, CA | 6 | $776K | $125K | Preselected only | General operating support; Supporting healing justice and racial equity in the central…; Matching gift |
| Resnick Foundation | Los Angeles, CA | 17 | $711K | $32K | Preselected only | Donee's tax exempt purpose |
| The Virginia and Alfred Harrell Foundation | Bakersfield, CA | 17 | $432K | $18K | Yes | Program service support |
| Jim and Elouise Elder Foundation a Private Foundation | Bakersfield, CA | 9 | $366K | $25K | Yes | Rodeo Participant Support; Provide Prom Night for Special Needs Children; Spay Clinic for Underprivaledged Families |
| Steinert Family Foundation | Bakersfield, CA | 7 | $363K | $43K | Preselected only | Religious services; Child mentoring; Girls' empowerment |
| Resnick Family Community Foundation | Los Angeles, CA | 2 | $326K | $163K | Preselected only | Donee's tax exempt purpose |
| Trichell Family Foundation | Bakersfield, CA | 10 | $320K | $15K | Preselected only | Grant used to fund various programs within the organization; Vocational training; Lauren small children's center and sarvanand heart and brai… |
| The Ford Foundation | New York, NY | 1 | $300K | $300K | Yes | Core support for the systemic change program, to conduct ad… |
| College Futures Foundation | Oakland, CA | 2 | $299K | $150K | Preselected only | Program grant |
| Robert Grimm Family Foundation | Bakersfield, CA | 12 | $267K | $10K | Yes | General support; Financial assistance for students; Allows the hospital to continue to provide state-of-the-art… |
| The Cynthia Lake Charitable Trust C/O Cynthia G Lake | Reno, NV | 9 | $251K | $22K | Preselected only | Carry out charitable purpose of foundation |
| Charter Fund Inc D/B/A Charter School Growth Fund | Broomfield, CO | 1 | $250K | $250K | Yes | Charter school growth |
| Robert Raskind Charitable Foundation | Bakersfield, CA | 7 | $233K | $34K | Yes | To promote charitable purpose of organization.; Welfare of people |
| Edgar E & Elizabeth S Pankey Foundation | North Tustin, CA | 3 | $230K | $70K | Yes | General |
| Batey Family Charitable Trust | Bakersfield, CA | 15 | $227K | $2,500 | Preselected only | Contribution made to the general fund; Donation for eyeglasses; Sponsorship of the church. |
| Seedcore Foundation | Bakersfield, CA | 19 | $223K | $2,420 | Yes | Event sponsorship; General support; Program support - knowledge bowl |
| Health Carousel Foundation | Wilmington, DE | 1 | $200K | $200K | Preselected only | ValueHer Initiative: Empowering & Strengthening Maternal He… |
| William & Florence Wheeler Foundation | Bakersfield, CA | 10 | $185K | $13K | Yes | To support the collegiate rodeo team.; To support museums that engages, inspires, and builds commu…; To prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices o… |
| Harry and Ethel West Foundation | Bakersfield, CA | 21 | $157K | $5,000 | Yes | Capital improvements |
| Forest and Ruth Frick Scholarship | St Louis, MO | 1 | $150K | $150K | Preselected only | General operating |
| Semloh Foundation C/O Whittier Trust | Pasadena, CA | 3 | $146K | $46K | Preselected only | Safe housing project; Mare motel; Westside ministry budget |
| Ben H and Gladys Arkelian Foundation | Bakersfield, CA | 20 | $130K | $2,500 | Yes | Capital improvements; Capital imrpovements |
| Lee and Krystyna Jamieson Charitable Foundation | Bakersfield, CA | 4 | $129K | $26K | Preselected only | Foster care support for children and caregivers; Interior decor and maintenance of shelter; Support garces memorial high school students, families, & a… |
| Blue Adobe Foundation | Gardnerville, NV | 7 | $120K | $6,500 | Preselected only | Carry out charitable purpose of fdn; Carryout charitable purpose of fdn |
| The Heising-Simons Foundation | Los Altos, CA | 2 | $113K | $56K | Preselected only | For general support; For executive coaching and staff leadership training |
| The California Wellness Foundation | Los Angeles, CA | 3 | $106K | $5,000 | Yes | Core operating support |
| Annie E Casey Foundation Inc | Baltimore, MD | 1 | $100K | $100K | Preselected only | Support culturally responsive evidence-building and scaling… |
| For All the Children Foundation | Bakersfield, CA | 7 | $93K | $11K | Preselected only | To support the efforts of the kern county museum and provid…; To support the efforts of the jj's legacy foundation and pr…; To support the efforts of links for life in promoting breas… |
| W Sherman Winseman Foundation | Rancho San Clemente, CA | 4 | $90K | $28K | Preselected only | Donations of goods and cash; Cash donation for charitable purpose; 40 hygeine kits, 100 shirts |
| The Alcon Foundation Inc | Fort Worth, TX | 1 | $80K | $80K | Yes | Eye care |
| Wurster Family Foundation | Bakersfield, CA | 5 | $69K | $5,000 | Preselected only | To bring unchurched people of bakersfield, ca. who love wes…; To provide resources to california state university bakersf…; To create a community of authentic believers and to witness… |
| The Skeet Varner Foundation | Bakersfield, CA | 16 | $66K | $2,250 | Preselected only | To support charities in the greater bakersfield area, parti…; To provide a communal ceremony over prayer for homelessness…; To offer support to foster care families in the community. |
| Clifford & Bradford Athletic Foundation | Bakersfield, CA | 15 | $61K | $2,500 | Preselected only | Support youth athletic teams expenses; Support local sports teams; Help with team expenses |
| The Confidence Foundation | Pasadena, CA | 6 | $61K | $8,750 | Preselected only | General operating support; Daily free meals program |
| The Dennis & Anne Beaver Foundation | Bakersfield, CA | 1 | $58K | $58K | Yes | In 2025 the foundation paid for:1. eight students from cali… |
| The Setton Foundation | Commack, NY | 5 | $55K | $1,000 | Preselected only | Charity |
| Pinetops Foundation | Bend, OR | 1 | $54K | $54K | Preselected only | Toward dental work for bible study leader in her 70s; towar… |
| Lazzerini Family Foundation | Bakersfield, CA | 11 | $52K | $5,000 | Preselected only | Grant used to fund the various programs within the organiza…; Annual heart never forgets senior prom & hnf gala 2024; 2024 holiday lights sponsor |
| Philanthropy International | Claremont, CA | 2 | $50K | $25K | Yes | Encouragement of bicycling for fun and fitness; To support the Bakersfield Art Association in their efforts… |
| Achieving America Family Foundation | Pasadena, CA | 1 | $50K | $50K | Preselected only | As needed |
| Arthur N Rupe Foundation | West Chester, PA | 1 | $50K | $50K | Preselected only | Cna program grant |
| James Rush Varner Family Foundation | Shafter, CA | 1 | $50K | $50K | Preselected only | For education purposes |
| Delta Dental Community Care Foundation | San Francisco, CA | 1 | $50K | $50K | Preselected only | Community giving- dental |
| The Sarah Lee Pascoe Foundation | Corona del Mar, CA | 1 | $50K | $50K | Preselected only | General fund |
| Srinivasa Manohara Foundation | Bakersfield, CA | 5 | $48K | $8,608 | Preselected only | Religious charities - general support; To support academic culture and extra curricular activities…; To promote basic education, proper nutrition, secure housin… |
| Sandberg Goldberg Bernthal Family Charitable Foundation | San Francisco, CA | 1 | $40K | $40K | Preselected only | Support the distribution of food to local residents |
| Charlene and Thomas Morgan Charitable Foundation Inc | Red Rock, TX | 1 | $40K | $40K | Preselected only | Furtherance of the christian faith and ministry to the surr… |
| Robert E Yager Charitable Trust | Eagan, MN | 1 | $38K | $38K | Preselected only | General operating |
| The Keith Campbell Foundation for the Environment Inc | Bethesda, MD | 3 | $36K | $10K | Yes | General support |
| Pipe Dreams Foundation Inc | Louisville, KY | 1 | $35K | $35K | Preselected only | Providing children with golf equipment, access to golf faci… |
| Joe Alexander Scholarship Foundation | Bakersfield, CA | 1 | $35K | $35K | Preselected only | Scholarship for students in the kern high school district |
| The Bidart Family Foundation | Bakersfield, CA | 6 | $34K | $3,500 | Preselected only | Clothing for children in need.; Assistance to kern county youth.; Kern county 4-h sponsor committee. |
| Kern County Library Foundation | Bakersfield, CA | 1 | $31K | $31K | Preselected only | Purchase of enhancements for the public library. |
| Dcm Foundation | Belle Plaine, MN | 1 | $30K | $30K | Preselected only | Great mercy staff |
| Pacific Dental Services Foundation | Irvine, CA | 1 | $30K | $30K | Yes | Scholarship |
| Gt Foundation | Lansdale, PA | 1 | $30K | $30K | Preselected only | General purpose |
| Teach Green Charitable Foundation | Nashua, NH | 1 | $30K | $30K | Preselected only | African children's school builds schools for rural children… |
| Marchbanks Foundation Inc | Bakersfield, CA | 12 | $29K | $2,250 | Preselected only | Contribution to general fund |
| Max Goldenson Foundation for Modern Dog Adoption | Los Angeles, CA | 1 | $25K | $25K | Preselected only | To assist in their charitable mission. |
| Tomkat Foundation | San Francisco, CA | 1 | $25K | $25K | Preselected only | General operating support |
| Wells Fargo Foundation | Minneapolis, MN | 1 | $25K | $25K | Preselected only | Financial Empowerment Programs |
| Amicus Foundation | Cameron, MT | 4 | $25K | $6,000 | Preselected only | Carry out charitable purpose of foundation |
| The Muriel Pollia Foundation | Fillmore, CA | 1 | $22K | $22K | Preselected only | Funding for innovative and creative projects |
| Patricia Crail Brown Foundation | Pasadena, CA | 5 | $21K | $2,000 | Preselected only | General support of charity |
| Banc of California Charitable Foundation | Santa Ana, CA | 4 | $21K | $5,000 | Yes | The purpose of this grant is to support affordable housing; The purpose of this grant is to support community developme… |
| Hands of 10ve Foundation | Goleta, CA | 2 | $20K | $10K | Yes | Suicide Walk; law enforcement community grant |
| Jack Deloss Taylor Charitable Trust | Madison, WI | 1 | $20K | $20K | Yes | Assistance to the needy |
| The Walt and Lilly Disney Foundation | San Francisco, CA | 1 | $20K | $20K | Preselected only | History |
| The Albert Parvin Foundation C/O Posivak & Joffe Llp | Los Angeles, CA | 1 | $20K | $20K | Yes | Charitable giving and support |
| The Broder Family Foundation Inc | Wilmington, DE | 1 | $20K | $20K | Preselected only | For rescuing horses from auction |
| Sieg & Doris Fischer Fdn-Agy-Main | Fresno, CA | 1 | $16K | $16K | Preselected only | General operating |
| Bnsf Railway Foundation | Fort Worth, TX | 2 | $15K | $7,515 | Yes | Matching gifts 1; United way/red cross |
| The Klungness Family Foundation Inc | Wilmington, DE | 1 | $15K | $15K | Preselected only | General & Unrestricted |
| Kern Division Retired Teachers Scho | Bakersfield, CA | 8 | $14K | $1,750 | Yes | Education |
| Rio Bravo Rumble | Bakersfield, CA | 2 | $13K | $6,500 | Preselected only | To support biking for fun DBA Bike bakersfield; To assist in providing shoes to under privilaged children |
| Nutramax Family Foundation | Lancaster, SC | 1 | $13K | $13K | Preselected only | Support program service |
| The Scripps Howard Foundation | Cincinnati, OH | 7 | $12K | $1,250 | Yes | Community Market Grant; Volunteer Gift |
| Sempra Foundation | San Diego, CA | 16 | $11K | $440 | Preselected only | Education; Animals; Leisure |
| Shaffer Family Foundation | Templeton, CA | 4 | $11K | $2,250 | Preselected only | To help restore lives and transform generations for current…; To help manage social giving that inspires and creates last…; To share jesus the messiah, making the gospel known cleary… |
| Sustainable Arts Foundation C/O Tony Grant | San Francisco, CA | 1 | $10K | $10K | Yes | General budget |
| James B and Lois R Archer Charitable Foundation | San Angelo, TX | 1 | $10K | $10K | Yes | Cityserve network is a faith-based organisation designed to… |
| Lillys Gift Foundation | Yreka, CA | 1 | $10K | $10K | Preselected only | To support the charitable mission of the organization |
| Isnardi Foundation | Fresno, CA | 1 | $10K | $10K | Yes | Kids Camp Expenses |
| The Alvin Malstrom Foundation Malstrom | Salt Lake City, UT | 1 | $10K | $10K | Preselected only | Disable children support |
| Nancy and Craig Stoller Family Foundation | Wilmington, DE | 3 | $9,650 | $4,325 | Preselected only | General & unrestricted (see general explanation attachment); Give Big Kern Event |
| Foothill High School Alumni Association Trojan Nation | Bakersfield, CA | 1 | $9,233 | $9,233 | Preselected only | To further the goals of the school's administrative staff f… |
| Roy and Ida Eagle Foundation | Tehachapi, CA | 1 | $9,000 | $9,000 | Yes | Community support services |
| The Grimm Family Education Foundation | Bakersfield, CA | 2 | $8,500 | $4,250 | Preselected only | Support for the bakersfield college foundation edible garden; Support the ca living museum and teen challenge. |
| Texas Instruments Foundation | Dallas, TX | 2 | $8,200 | $4,100 | Yes | Donations to colleges, universities and other organizations… |
| Louis and Sheryl Barbich Foundation | Bakersfield, CA | 3 | $7,805 | $1,250 | Preselected only | Support of families in need; Guild in support of bakersfield sound exhibit; Scholarships for education |
| Klm Foundation | Los Angeles, CA | 1 | $7,500 | $7,500 | Preselected only | General |
| De LA Luz Family Foundation | Fresno, CA | 1 | $7,500 | $7,500 | Preselected only | Operating expenses |
| The Milstein Family Foundation | Encino, CA | 1 | $7,000 | $7,000 | Preselected only | General use |
| The James Irvine Foundation | San Francisco, CA | 4 | $6,500 | $1,500 | Preselected only | For general operating support; To support a learning event; To support a production |
| The Alina Foundation | LA Verne, CA | 3 | $6,500 | $2,000 | Preselected only | Support for religious organization; Support for family planning |
| Rodney & Cheryl Palla Family Foundation | Bakersfield, CA | 5 | $6,050 | $550 | Preselected only | Organizational support |
| Jewell Foundation Limited | Bethesda, MD | 1 | $6,000 | $6,000 | Preselected only | Charitable |
| Baker Hughes Foundation | Houston, TX | 2 | $5,200 | $2,600 | Preselected only | General support |
Source: IRS Form 990-PF Part XV, latest electronic return per foundation (2026-10-28). "Accepts applications" reflects the foundation's own checkbox on Part XV line 2. Grants to individuals excluded.
Common questions
Which foundations give to nonprofits in Bakersfield, California?
Marjorie Lindsey Charitable Trust Uad, Ravi and Naina Patel Foundation, The California Endowment, Resnick Foundation, The Virginia and Alfred Harrell Foundation and 95 others reported grants to Bakersfield organizations on their latest Form 990-PF.
How do I approach a foundation that doesn't accept applications?
A foundation that checks "contributes only to preselected organizations" on its 990-PF won't review a cold proposal. Look at who it funds, find a shared board member, grantee or advisor, and ask for an introduction. Foundations that accept applications usually list a contact and deadlines in Part XV; we show that text on each foundation's page.
Is this list complete?
No. It covers private foundations (Form 990-PF filers) whose latest electronic return lists at least one grant to an organization in Bakersfield. Community foundations and corporate giving programs file different forms and are not included yet.