The Waterman Foundation, established by the Bakersfield Downtown Rotary Club in 1984, focuses on providing scholarships to local students and grants for capital projects supporting local nonprofit organizations. Governed by a Board of Trustees comprised of Downtown Bakersfield Rotary Club members, its mission emphasizes local community support through financial aid for education and nonprofit initiatives.
The Women’s and Girls’ Fund focuses on enhancing passion and enthusiasm for learning and addressing issues related to Educational Attainment. It aims to award at least $80,000 in 2024 to education, training programs, and projects specifically benefiting women and girls in Kern County. The grantmaking strategy is informed by a commissioned study and community participation, with a focus area for 2021-2025 on Education among five categories of concern: Education, Economic Wellbeing, Women and the STEM Professions, Family and Home, and Health and Safety. The WGF values social change grantmaking that seeks long-term solutions to societal problems facing women and girls across Kern County.