ways to fundraise

Raise funds on Facebook
You can donate and raised funds for The Center (Gay & Lesbian Center of Bakersfield) using your Facebook.  Just look for and click on the "Fundraiser" link and follow the instructions.   Choose the Non-Profit option and search for "Gay & Lesbian Center of Bakersfield".

Host a Party
At your birthday party or holiday gathering, you can ask donations be made to The Center in lieu of gifts. Contact us for tips!

Pride all year development team
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You’re Invited!
To join the Pride Year-Round Development Team
for The Center for Sexuality & Gender Diversity
At The Center, we believe that being proud of your authentic self and who you are should be expressed year-round. So we’re calling our new project group - the Pride Year-Round Development Team! 
This team is vital to the continued growth and longevity of The Center. The team plans and carries out projects to bring new individual and corporate contributions – both financial and people-power – to The Center. If you are looking for an opportunity to be your whole self on a diverse and talented team with the focus of assuring the programming and activities offered by The Center are available for years to come, this may be the place for you! We meet mid-day every week via Zoom to allow participation by those with a job or school obligations.  
What is planned? As we reach out to the LGBTQIA+ community, our allies, and the wider community, we will introduce The Center and seek to engage new people and organizations to support its goals and mission.  Once engaged, we will work to foster those individuals and organizations who may become ongoing sustaining donors and supporters.
A variety of fundraising models may be used.  Our first model will present 6 to 8 gatherings, each an hour long, with the gatherings spread over 9-12 months.  A new, small group of guests will be invited to each gathering, where they will be introduced to the history of The Center and then become aware of the important work of The Center through the compelling personal stories of clients, staff, and volunteers. Guests will hear first-hand the life-giving and life-changing impact of The Center in profound and positive ways.
How can you help?  We are calling for folks to participate in this new Pride Year-Round Development Team for The Center.  We are seeking folks with diverse and varied talents and experiences for the team. We are excited to build an inclusive team that bridges the range of races and ethnicities, abilities and disabilities, genders, sexualities, cultures, and ages. We are asking Development Team members for a year-long commitment and regular attendance at the weekly Zoom meetings. If you are not able to commit to this level of participation but still want to assist – you can, and we need you!  We’ll need help for each gathering – greeters, table hosts, those sharing their stories, and other supporting volunteers. If you have a friend who may be interested in joining with you, please extend this invitation to them!  Fill out the Fundraising application form or contact [email protected]  to let us know how you can help. Thank you!

Clean Out Your Garage
Do you have clothes, art supplies, toys, furniture and other items in good condition that you no longer use?  Consider hosting a yard-sale to benefit The Center.  You can also donating the items to The Center so that we can sell them.  Contact us to schedule a drop-off. 

More Fundraising Ideas
Click this LINK for more fundraising ideas that you can do to help The Center.

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​SIGNATURE   FUNDRAISING   EVENTS

Another way to help The Center raise funds is by attending and promoting it's signature fundraising events.  Below are some of the fundraising events The Center organizes and hosts.

​GIVE BIG KERN
Who: LGBTQ+ individuals and allies
Where: Online and The Center 
When: The giving campaign kicks off April and ends with a 24-hours online marathon in the first week of May.
Cost: Free
Description: GIVE BIG KERN is a 24-hour crowd-funding campaign organized by Kern Community Foundation.  This special one-day celebration of the giving spirit of Kern County is designed to bring the county together as one community (including LGBTQ residents), raising dollars and volunteer hours for Kern County's nonprofits.

Out of the 100+ nonprofit organizations that participate in GIVE BIG KERN, The Center has been the only LGBTQ organization and The Center has been among the leading organizations throughout the campaigns ranking among top 5 in terms of donations and number of donors.   

The Center is proud to participate in this annual county wide giving campaign.  Beside the money raised, it give us the opportunity to stand side-by-side with other organizations and show the power of our LGBTQ community trough your support and donations.  Additionally, your donation will have tremendous impact when we put them to work for our LGBT community.

To close this giving campaign, The Center hosts a celebration to engage the LGBTQ community and thank our donors. 

For sponsorship opportunities or any other information please contact The Center

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​Sips, Giggles & Thanks
Who: Center donors, volunteers, staffs and guests
Where: Varies
When: Q1
Cost: Varies
Description: Please join us to celebrate and recognize those who make The Center possible.  Meet and mingle with Bakersfield's LGBTQ+ community movers and shakers.  Learn more about The Center’s  plans for the upcoming year(s), share your ideas, engage with staff, volunteers, board members, donors and supporters like you.

For sponsorship opportunities and to contribute prizes for the silent action, or any other information please contact The Center.

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​Theatre Night
Who: LGBTQ+ individuals and allies
Where: Varies
When: Q2/Q3
Cost: Varies
Description: Mingle with our fabulous community at The Center's most popular signature fundraiser: Theater Night! The evening includes a pre-show cocktail party, opportunity drawings, a silent auction, delicious food and great drinks, and a fantastic performance.

For sponsorship opportunities and to contribute prizes for the silent action, or any other information please contact The Center.

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SEE OUR PHOTO GALLERY FROM PAST SIGNATURE EVENTS

do you have Questions, comments, or concerns? send us an  email!