BAKERSFIELD NORTH ROTARY FOUNDATION

BNR Foundation is not a large foundation. It is funded entirely by the members of Bakersfield North Rotary, and through its fundraisers--Dinner at the Derby and Wine Mafia.

In 2017-2018, our Foundation exceeded $500,000 in assets--which was a major hurdle. At the fiscal year end of June 2022, our Foundation exceeded $652,000. We only give away 70 percent of our income each year so that we can continue growing the foundation, allowing for continued investment growth.

We proudly support those organizations who are "boots on the ground" serving the poor and disenfranchised in our community with food, clothing, and educational opportunities. We focus on youth in our region and so prioritize those organizations who seek to serve and educate youth. We seek to increase opportunities and so we support programs that allow poor students to do unique things, including attending a live symphony concert or taking art classes, for example.

We continue to build our fundraising events so we can increase our endowment and reach more children.

This year, the efforts of Bakersfield North Rotarians will contribute well over $150,000 in value to local charities, considering the actual giving and the volunteerism at events.

We have helped at least 20 students each year (this year it is anticipated to be 22) to achieve another year of college education through our scholarship program. Students who are first-generation college attendees, in particular, are supported financially and emotionally by their association with North Rotarians. We've fed at least 350 families each year for over 10 years at Thanksgiving in addition to supporting organizations that feed people every week. And we help the Bakersfield Symphony and Bakersfield Museum of Art assure that kids who cannot afford it can still receive an arts education.