Kern Community Foundation Awards $7,000 Grant to KRV Bridge Connection for Post-Borel Fire Recovery

Bakersfield, CA — March 4, 2025: Kern Community Foundation has awarded a $7,000 grant to KRV Bridge Connection (KRVBC) to support recovery efforts following the Borel Fire.  This funding will help purchase a storage unit for emergency food distribution.  The storage space will allow the organization to safely store nonperishable canned food provided by the Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK) for use in emergency situations.

KRVBC offers a multipurpose collaborative space to bridge the underserved of the Kern River Valley (KRV) to locally accessible nonprofit advocates and resource providers.  By securing a dedicated storage unit, KRV Bridge Connection will enhance its ability to provide food assistance when disasters or urgent needs arise in the Kern River Valley community.

This grant was made possible by the Disaster Relief, Recovery, and Resilience Fund at the League of California Community Foundations through Kern Community Foundation.  It is part of a broader effort by Kern Community Foundation and its partners, who have contributed $99,448 in direct relief and recovery for the Borel Fire.

How to Help:

Individuals, organizations and businesses are encouraged to contribute to the Borel Fire Relief Fund.  The Foundation will work with nonprofit and government stakeholders, establishing safeguards to secure proper distribution of the funds, which will be used for long term relief: resettlement, rebuilding, and infrastructure within the affected area. Nonprofits may request funding from the Borel Fire Relief Fund by filling out the Borel Fire Assistance Request Form through our online grant portal.

To learn more about the Borel Fire Relief Fund, contact Kern Community Foundation at 661.325.5346 or info@kernfoundation.org. Donations can be made at kernfoundation.org/borel.

About Kern Community Foundation

Kern Community Foundation is a vibrant nonprofit enterprise with a simple mission: “Growing Community.  Growing Philanthropy.”  For 25 years, the Foundation has been in business to serve as a charitable resource for local donors and corporations and to generate capital that provides philanthropic solutions to help make Kern County a better place to live, work, and visit.  Since its establishment in 1999, we have been home to almost 200 charitable funds.  We have awarded close to $30 million in grants and scholarships.  For more information about Kern Community Foundation visit kernfoundation.org.