Clearinghouse CDFI Finances New Peace and Justice Cultural Center for Dolores Huerta Foundation
Clearinghouse CDFI provided $8 million of New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation to support the construction of the Dolores Huerta Foundation Peace & Justice Cultural Center (PJCC). Founded by civil rights leader Dolores Huerta, the Foundation organizes communities for social justice, civic engagement, and economic empowerment. The new Center will anchor Bakersfield’s Eye St. Corridor as a multicultural hub, expanding access to services, leadership development, and opportunity for local residents.
When complete, the PJCC will serve as headquarters for the Dolores Huerta Foundation while delivering wide-ranging community benefits. The Center will house the Kern County Community Wellness Center, serving 1,200 individuals annually with mental health referrals, support groups, and crisis care. Leadership programs will train 1,000 adults and 500 at-risk youth in advocacy and civic engagement. Flexible space will also be available at low or no cost for cultural programming, nonprofit use, and community events, creating a vibrant hub in downtown Bakersfield.
Project Financing
This $34.9 million investment was made possible through a collaborative financing partnership:
- Clearinghouse CDFI: $8,000,000
- California Statewide Communities Development Corporation: $12,000,000
- Enterprise CDE: $7,000,000
- U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance (NMTC Investor): $8,424,000
- Total Project Cost: $34,887,674
Expanding Access and Leadership – Dolores Huerta Foundation
The Peace & Justice Cultural Center will expand the Foundation’s capacity to provide vital services, including health enrollment assistance, ESL classes, childcare referrals, emergency aid, and safety outreach. By combining these resources with leadership training and workforce programs, the project creates stronger pathways to stability and self-reliance for Bakersfield families.
The Center will also be a hub for workforce development, offering training for mental health professionals and expanded job readiness services. In total, the project will create 66 permanent and 160 construction jobs—80% of which are accessible to individuals with only a high school diploma or equivalent. All positions include benefits and training, ensuring that these opportunities build lasting economic mobility for local residents.
More Than a Building
Beyond these services, the Peace & Justice Cultural Center will revitalize downtown Bakersfield as a place for culture, leadership, and connection. The facility will feature rotating art installations, host grassroots organizing institutes, and provide a gathering space that reflects Bakersfield’s diverse community.
As Dolores Huerta has long championed, this project embodies her lifelong fight for justice, equality, and empowerment. More than a building, the Peace and Justice Cultural Center is a home for the movement—creating a lasting foundation for leadership and opportunity in Kern County and beyond.
Learn more about the Dolores Huerta Foundation and how Clearinghouse CDFI uses New Markets Tax Credits to finance projects that strengthen communities nationwide. Explore Our Impact Numbers or view the communities we serve on Our Impact Map.
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