Give Big Kern is an annual fundraising event held in Kern County, California, aimed at supporting local nonprofit organizations. Since its inception in 2016, it has raised over $40 million for more than 137 local nonprofits. The event encourages community members to donate to their favorite nonprofits and participate in volunteer activities. It is a significant opportunity for nonprofits to raise unrestricted funds and meet new donors, enhancing their visibility and sustainability in the community.
The Kern River Valley Art Association (KRVAA) strengthens the creative heart of our rural community by providing accessible arts education, free youth programs, local exhibitions, and a welcoming space where artists and neighbors can connect. In 2025, we expanded our impact through monthly themed competitions, free children’s art classes, new community workshops, and rotating gallery exhibitions that highlight the incredible talent of local artists. Our events, such as Dollar Mania, Second Saturday Receptions, and youth showcases, brought hundreds of residents together to celebrate creativity and support local makers.
With your support, KRVAA continues to remove barriers to the arts. Donations help us provide free supplies for youth classes, maintain a community gallery that gives local artists a place to show and sell their work, and offer low‑cost workshops that make creative learning accessible to all ages. Funding also strengthens The Station, our community art and event space, which serves as a hub for local makers, volunteers, and families.
In 2026, we aim to expand our free youth programming, increase artist stipends, improve gallery accessibility, and grow community events that bring people together through creativity. Every contribution, large or small, directly supports local artists, fuels arts education, and keeps the creative spirit of the Kern River Valley thriving.
Together, we can ensure that art remains a vibrant, inclusive, and inspiring force in our valley.
