Supporting the Tahoe region’s most pressing needs

Tahoe Community Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 Community Impact Grants, a cornerstone of its commitment to strengthening the Lake Tahoe region. These grants support a diverse array of nonprofit organizations whose work uplifts local communities through innovation, compassion, and resilience.

The Community Foundation’s Community Impact Grants allow nonprofit organizations to request the support they need to better serve the region through an application process. The grants are determined by the Community Impact Committee (CIC), composed of volunteers from the community, who review each grant proposal and reward the most impactful opportunities. Summaries of each grant are also provided to the Community Foundation’s Donor Advised Fund holders, inviting them to co-invest in the Community Impact Grants, expanding collective support, and awarding over $300,000 to the greatest needs in the region. 

Through the grant application process in 2025, the Community Foundation identified clear and pressing themes in the Tahoe region: the need for greater support in mental health services and expanded after-school programs. By observing the priorities expressed by local nonprofits and community partners, the Community Foundation was able to direct funding to address these critical areas, ensuring resources reached both North and South Lake Tahoe. These grants are helping to strengthen access to mental health support and expanding opportunities for youth enrichment while offering support to working parents to build a healthy and resilient community across the entire region.

“In awarding these grants each year, we’re able to respond directly to the most pressing challenges facing our community,” said Laura Roche, Programs Director at Tahoe Community Foundation. “The applications we receive offer a window into the greatest needs across our region—needs that affect individuals and families every day. This year, we noticed powerful themes emerge, and we were proud to address them through meaningful support that helps ensure the Tahoe region remains strong and thriving.”

The 2025 Community Impact Grantees are: 

• Boys and Girls Club Lake Tahoe
• Boys and Girls Club North Lake Tahoe
• Bread and Broth
• Classical Tahoe
• Encompass Youth
• Incline Education Fund 
• League to Save Lake Tahoe
• National Forest Foundation
• Pet Network Humane Society
• Send It Foundation
• Sierra State Parks Foundation
• SOS Outreach
• South Lake Tahoe Family Resource Center
• Tahoe Alliance for Safe Kids
• Tahoe’s Connection for Families
• Tahoe Family Solutions
• Tahoe Food Hub
• Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue
• Tahoe Rim Trail Association
• Tahoe Truckee School of Music
• Tahoe Youth and Family Services
• Vista Rise Collective (formerly Live Violence Free)

To learn more about Tahoe Community Foundation and to see full descriptions of grants awarded in 2025, visit www.TahoeCF.org 

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About Tahoe Community Foundation 

Tahoe Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating community philanthropy, serving as a resource for donors to make confident and meaningful investments in their community, and offering nonprofit organizations support, insight, and strategy. Tahoe Community Foundation is a pillar in the community, serving to create meaningful and lasting impact, and to Elevate Generosity in Tahoe and beyond.

Photo: Boys and Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe

It’s almost time to don your finest black-tie attire—with a Spanish twist—and raise a glass (and a paddle!) for a cause that’s close to all our hearts. Pet Network Lake Tahoe invites you to the 27th Annual Fur Ball Gala: Tails & Tapas, taking place on Friday, May 31st at Bowl Incline’s fresh, new event space!

This year’s gala promises an unforgettable evening of Spanish-inspired elegance, vibrant flavors, fine wine, signature cocktails, and live music, all in support of shelter pets who deserve a second chance. Tails & Tapas is Pet Network’s biggest fundraiser of the year—and your ticket is more than just entry to a fabulous night. It’s a lifeline for animals in need.

Proceeds from the evening benefit Pet Network’s lifesaving medical, rescue, and adoption programs. With your support, we can continue to provide care for vulnerable pets—from life-saving surgeries to the daily essentials that help animals heal and thrive.

In addition to the delicious cuisine and festive atmosphere, the night will feature a live auction filled with unforgettable experiences, a fund-the-need paddle raise to help bring a CT scanner to Pet Network (¡ole!), and a few surprises you’ll have to see to believe.

Tickets are on sale now at www.petnetwork.org/furball and are expected to sell out. So grab your seat at the table, bring your appetite (and your dancing shoes), and help us toast to compassion, community, and the incredible pets we serve.

Together, we’ll turn tapas into transformation—one tail at a time.

Originally published with TNTNV

In early 2024, we at Travel North Tahoe Nevada developed a new three-year Strategic Plan for our organization. During that process, we reached out to stakeholders who are part of North Tahoe’s tourism industry to gather your views on issues that would help inform our planning activity. Now that it’s a year later, we’d like to get your input once again to get your help in assessing our progress.
 

We ask that you please complete the survey by 5:00 PM on Sunday, March 23.

TAKE SURVEY >

Originally Published at www.sierracommunityhouse.org – 03/05/2025

In honor of Women’s History Month, we at Sierra Community House want to shine a spotlight on two remarkable women who make a difference every day in the lives of the families and children we serve—Miss Irene and Miss Conchita, the dynamic co-teachers at The Family Room. Their unwavering dedication, patience, and collaborative spirit embody the essence of women supporting and empowering one another. 

At The Family Room, Miss Irene and Miss Conchita create an inclusive, nurturing environment where each child’s unique personality is celebrated. Jamie, a caregiver of a child at The Family Room, shared the impact in a beautiful way: 

“My child has a cautious personality, and Miss Irene and Miss Conchita have such a wonderful co-teaching relationship. They include her in the class but also give her the space to participate in the ways she feels comfortable.” 

READ MORE >

Photo: Sierra Community House

Sustain Tahoe is proud to announce the expansion of its Bear Aware Campaign with a new round of the popular bear magnets to promote awareness and responsible coexistence with Tahoe’s black bears. The initial success of the bear magnets (that easily stick and peel off any metal surface, like cars and bear boxes) has inspired a renewed push to print and distribute at least 13,000 more before summer, ensuring that the message of bear conservation reaches even more locals and visitors.

Tahoe is bear country. Long before people settled in the region, black bears roamed freely—and they still do today. However, their survival now depends on human awareness and action. Sustain Tahoe’s Bear Aware magnetic stickers serve as a visual reminder that there are, in fact, bears. So drive carefully, secure food properly, and respect bear habitats while hiking and picnicking. The campaign aims to reduce bear-human conflicts and protect these iconic creatures.

To fund this next phase, Sustain Tahoe is seeking 50 businesses or individuals to raise $10,000 a year to keep this campaign active. Higher quantities mean lower production costs, allowing more magnets to be spread across more vehicles, bear boxes, bikes, and gear throughout the Tahoe watershed and beyond.

How Businesses and Individuals Can Help:
For a $200 annual donation, supporters will receive:

·       Their business logo and information featured on the Bear Aware web page

·       Inclusion in press releases about the campaign

·       A customized appreciation plaque to display in their business

·       Increased brand visibility, as each sticker includes a QR code linking to the Bear Aware campaign, extending the reach of this important message

Donations are tax-deductible, participating businesses gain valuable exposure by contributing to the protection of Tahoe’s cherished black bears., making this initiative a win-win for both the environment and local businesses.

Get Involved Today

Visit: www.sustaintahoe.org/tahoe-bears.html
Select “Jasper’s Memorial Campaign”
Donate $200 to become a Bear Aware member

Working together we can attempt to help Tahoe become a safe and thriving habitat for our beloved black bears while fostering a community committed to environmental stewardship.

About Sustain Tahoe

Sustain Tahoe is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering responsible tourism and environmental awareness in the Lake Tahoe region. Through initiatives like the Bear Aware Campaign, Sustain Tahoe aims to educate and inspire both residents and visitors to engage in sustainable practices that protect Tahoe’s natural beauty and wildlife.

Jacquie Chandler

Sierra Senior Services (SSS) was formed in 2001 out of a service club project in Truckee to bring Meals on Wheels (MOW) to our region.  The program has grown steadily over the years to include Truckee, Kings Beach, Tahoe City, the West Shore, Olympic Valley, and Incline Village and Crystal Bay.  SSS operates a commercial kitchen and congregate dining site in Truckee which will produce over 45,000 fresh, nutritionally balanced meals this year.  

The MOW program expanded to Incline Village and Crystal Bay in June 2013 with 3 initial participants.  It has continued to grow and hit a new peak on February 18, 2025 of 22 active participants (probably over 200 people helped over the years).  We will be splitting Incline Village into 2 dedicated routes starting Tuesday, March 11, 2025.  SSS has received a vehicle donation for the expansion, but needs to increase its volunteer driver base for Incline Village and Crystal Bay from 8 to 15 as quickly as possible.

The role of an Incline Village/ Crystal Bay volunteer driver looks like this:

1) Arrive at the Village Church parking lot at 11:15 AM

2) Enter the combination on the lockbox on the tree to access the MOW car key

3) Enter your information and beginning mileage on the car’s mileage log clipboard

4) Drive to Kings Beach meeting point to exchange empty ice chest, hot bags, and route binder for current day’s food and route binder.

5) Use paper route binder or the electronic phone AP routing software to deliver the specified meals to 8-15 participant’s homes (food is generally received by participants at their front doors with exchange of greetings and determination that everything seems good).

6) Deliveries and paperwork are usually completed by 1:15 PM and you can enjoy the free lunch provided to volunteers.

Most volunteer drivers find the experience very rewarding and often couples work as a team.  Volunteers usually drive the same day each week or fill in open days as needed.  The SSS staff is responsible for filling the shifts Tuesday through Friday (with frozen meals available for Saturday, Sunday, and Monday delivered on Friday) so volunteers are free to pick the days they drive.

More information about Sierra Senior Services and a volunteer application can be found at : sierraseniors.org or by contacting Lorena at 530-550-7600 to arrange an informational ride along.  Volunteer drivers must be fingerprinted for senior safety and will be trained by SSS.

This program has helped many of your friends, neighbors, and members over the years.  Please help us find additional volunteer drivers so we can continue to offer the same quality program and have capacity to serve our growing senior population.

Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 02/24/2025, Staff Report

Additional mental health therapists added to the team at Tahoe Family Solutions.

Tahoe Family Solutions (TFS) has long provided mental health and psychiatric care at low or no cost in the Tahoe basin. They are delighted to announce the addition of two new therapists to the team, including one who is bilingual/bi-cultural. 

While long-time and cherished Patrick Keilty, MFT remains on the team until his retirement at the end of 2025, the addition of Katie O’Hara, MA, CPC-1 and Lesley de la Riva Longoria, MFT-I, CADC-I allow us to expand our availability to additional individuals and families who seek services in the beginning of March, including those for whom Spanish is their first language. In addition, there is ample time to transition those currently seeking services to the new therapists and provide seamless continuity of care. Both O’Hara and de la Riva are skilled at working childhood through adulthood, families and couples, and those in crisis.

The American Psychological Association reported in 2023, “The Covid-19 pandemic era ushered in a new set of challenges for youth in the United States, leading to a mental health crisis as declared by the United States Surgeon General just over a year ago.” 

READ MORE >

First Look at the New Bowl Incline Space at Incline Center for Events: The Incline Boosters Club is thrilled to announce the 43rd Annual Crab Feed, a cherished tradition supporting Incline High School and its students. This year’s event, presented by the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation, with the Premier Reception sponsored by Plenium Builders, promises to be a spectacular evening of community and generosity.

Mark your calendars: The Crab Feed will take place on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at the highly anticipated, newly designed Bowl Incline Space at the Incline Center for Events. Tickets, tables, sponsorship opportunities, and donation options are now available. Act quickly—within the first 24 hours of sales, we are already halfway to selling out!

Why the Crab Feed Matters: The Crab Feed is the most significant fundraiser for the Incline Boosters Club. Our mission is to bridge the gap between the limited general operating support provided by the school district and the resources needed to create a thriving high school experience. 

Did you know that the entire district general operating budget for IHS is just over $25,000—for the whole school year? That’s only $0.47 per student per day. Meanwhile, Boosters’ expenses budget equates to approximately $4.68 per student per day to support all areas of IHS. Without fundraising, those dollars shrink—and the district won’t be making up the difference. As a rural school with unique needs, Incline High School relies on the funds raised by this event to support its students directly. Every donation, ticket purchase, and sponsorship makes a tangible difference.

We are honored to receive a generous matching gift from the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation, which will match every dollar raised—up to $125,000—for our Fund-A-Need initiatives. Click here to learn more about these initiatives.

A First Look at the New Venue: This year’s event will unveil the newly reimagined Bowl Incline Space at the Incline Center for Events. This innovative venue, with its extraordinary design and creative touches, will transform for the evening, featuring beautiful flooring laid across the lanes to create a one-of-a-kind experience.

Additional Details and How to Get Involved: Attendees will enjoy an upscale nautical ambiance—imagine the feel of a luxurious yacht with the sun shining, a light breeze, and great company. It’s a setting you won’t want to miss! For event details, to purchase tickets or tables, or to explore sponsorship and donation opportunities, click here. For frequently asked questions about the event, visit our FAQ page. 

To learn more about the Incline Boosters Club and its mission, click here.

Media Contact: Incline Boosters Club, Tara Cannon – tara.cannon347@gmail.com, 562-208-5059

About the Incline Boosters Club: The Incline Boosters Club is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Incline High School students through fundraising, volunteerism, and community partnerships. Our mission is to enhance the educational experience for every student and ensure our school is equipped to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.