Tahoe Community Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $400,000 (2024 Community Impact Grants)
• Total Grants Since Inception: $137 million+
• Grant Range: $2,500 - varies (Action Grants $2,500-$5,000)
• Decision Time: 30 days (Action Grants), varies for Community Impact Grants
• Geographic Focus: Lake Tahoe Basin
• Success Rate: Data not publicly available

Contact Details

Address: 948 Incline Way, Incline Village, NV 89451

Phone: (775) 298-0100

Email: donor@parasol.org

Website: tahoecf.org

Program Director: Laura Roche (contact for grant inquiries)

Overview

Founded in 1996, the Tahoe Community Foundation (formerly Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation) is a Nevada-incorporated 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving the Lake Tahoe Basin. The foundation has distributed over $137 million to charitable causes since its inception and earned a Four-Star rating (100% score) from Charity Navigator. Led by CEO Claudia Andersen, the foundation's mission is "cultivating community philanthropy to enhance and preserve the quality of life at Tahoe." In 2024, the foundation awarded nearly $400,000 in Community Impact Grants—over $100,000 more than 2023—and nearly doubled the number of organizations funded, reaching 39 nonprofits across the Lake Tahoe basin.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Impact Grants (Annual, competitive)

• Annual competitive grants to organizations serving the Lake Tahoe Basin
• Grant amounts vary
• Application opens in Spring
• Notification through Nonprofit E-News

Action Grants ($2,500 - $5,000)

• One-time expenses or materials for Lake Tahoe Basin organizations
• One grant per organization per calendar year
• Rolling quarterly deadlines: February 28, May 31, August 31, November 30
• Awards announced within 30 days of each cycle's due date
• Cannot be used to reimburse prior expenses
• Application method: Rolling basis, online application

Lahontan Community Foundation Fund Grants

• Annual cycle in late winter/early spring
• Focus: Truckee and North Lake Tahoe nonprofits
• Notification through Nonprofit E-News

Donald W. Reynolds Community Nonprofit Center Grants

• Room Use, Storage, and Resident Grants
• Provides furnished office space, storage, and meeting rooms to nonprofits
• $10.8 million in in-kind grants awarded since 2002
• Eligibility: 501(c)(3) organizations incorporated in Nevada/California serving Incline Village, Crystal Bay, or Kings Beach communities

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on five programmatic areas:

• Arts, Culture and Heritage
• Well-Being
• Community Engagement
• Education and Youth Development
• Environment

What They Don't Fund

• Specific exclusions not publicly documented for Tahoe Community Foundation
• Geographic restriction: Organizations must serve the Lake Tahoe Basin (for Community Impact and Action Grants)

Governance and Leadership

CEO: Claudia Andersen - Responsible for overall leadership including organizational strategy and oversight of programs, operations, finances, and investments

Program Director: Laura Roche - Leads and manages all Community Foundation programs, initiatives, and discretionary grantmaking. Holds Master of Social Work with concentration in community health and urban development from University of Illinois at Chicago. Joined the foundation in 2019.

Board of Directors (Chairman: Warren Trepp):

• Warren Trepp (Chairman)
• Carole Anderson
• George Ashley
• Joyce Benka
• Ed Boleky
• Joe Bourdeau
• Janusz Clark
• Judy Clydesdale
• Nanci Glogauer
• Hank Harris
• Dean Meiling
• Wendy Mueller
• Janet Pahl
• Gary Pulver
• Mike Smith
• Elbridge Stuart
• David Williams
• Stuart Yount

Notable Board Members:

• Aimee LaFayette: PhD in Anthropology, chairs the Community Impact Committee
• Ron Alling: Attorney

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Action Grants:

• Apply online through the foundation's website
• Rolling basis with quarterly deadlines: February 28, May 31, August 31, November 30
• Applications must be submitted by the listed due date to be considered at the next Committee meeting
• Review by Community Impact Committee
• Awards announced within 30 days of each cycle's due date

Community Impact Grants:

• Application opens in Spring annually
• Competitive process
• Notification through Nonprofit E-News
• Specific deadlines announced via Nonprofit E-News

Eligibility Requirements:

• Community Impact Grants: Must be IRS-recognized tax-exempt organization holding status for 2+ years; 501(c)(3) public charity or school in good standing; incorporated in Nevada or California; directly provide 50%+ of services in the Tahoe Basin
• Action Grants: IRS-recognized tax-exempt organization; 501(c)(3) public charity, government agency, school, and/or faith-based organization in good standing
• Late or incomplete submissions will not proceed to evaluation

Decision Timeline

Action Grants: Awards announced within 30 days of each quarterly deadline

Community Impact Grants: Timeline varies; notifications sent through Nonprofit E-News

Success Rates

Specific success rates and application statistics are not publicly available. In 2024, 39 organizations received Community Impact Grants, representing nearly double the number funded in 2023.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly documented. Organizations can receive one Action Grant per calendar year, suggesting annual reapplication is possible.

Application Success Factors

Based on guidance from Tahoe-area community foundations, successful applicants demonstrate:

Alignment and Specificity:

• Strong alignment with one of the foundation's five programmatic areas
• Succinct and specific proposals (per grants manager feedback)
• Service delivery focused on the Lake Tahoe Basin

Credibility and Evidence:

• Past successes implementing similar projects
• Clear explanation of why your organization is uniquely positioned to address the issue
• Evidence that you are not duplicating existing services
• Named collaborative partnerships with other organizations
• Quantified impact with data and clear assessment/evaluation plans

Professional Presentation:

• Complete information provided (reviewers change; don't assume prior knowledge)
• All questions answered thoroughly
• Multiple internal reviews before submission
• Meeting all stated eligibility requirements

Persuasive Case:

• Clear articulation of project significance, not just purpose
• Compelling case for why the funder should invest in your project specifically
• Transparency about all funding sources, including in-kind and volunteer support

Strategic Research:

• Review of past funded projects to understand foundation priorities
• Customized language matching the foundation's stated goals and terminology
• Realistic, achievable goals that match the grant amount requested

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic focus is critical: Organizations must serve the Lake Tahoe Basin; demonstrating 50%+ service delivery in the Basin is required for Community Impact Grants
• Action Grants offer accessible entry point: $2,500-$5,000 grants with quarterly deadlines provide opportunities for smaller, one-time project funding with faster turnaround (30 days)
• Track record of growth: The foundation has significantly expanded giving (2024 grants exceeded 2023 by $100,000+ and doubled number of organizations funded), indicating growing capacity
• Five priority areas: Ensure your project clearly aligns with Arts/Culture/Heritage, Well-Being, Community Engagement, Education/Youth Development, or Environment
• Quality over speed for Community Impact Grants: These competitive annual grants require strong preparation; subscribe to Nonprofit E-News for deadline notifications
• Partnership strengthens applications: Demonstrating collaborative relationships with other Lake Tahoe Basin organizations enhances credibility
• Contact Program Director: Laura Roche is available for grant inquiries and can provide guidance on application preparation

References

• Tahoe Community Foundation official website: https://tahoecf.org/ (accessed January 2026)
• Tahoe Community Foundation Grant Information: https://tahoecf.org/index.php/for-nonprofits/grants (accessed January 2026)
• Charity Navigator Profile: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/880362053 (accessed January 2026)
• GuideStar Profile: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/88-0362053 (accessed January 2026)
• "Community Foundation in Tahoe Awards Nearly $400,000 in Grants to Local Nonprofits," August 2024: https://southtahoenow.com/08/21/2024/community-foundation-tahoe-awards-nearly-400000-grants-local-nonprofits
• Candid Foundation Directory: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=PARA029 (accessed January 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/880362053 (accessed January 2026)
• Grant-seeking guidance adapted from Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation (related organization): https://www.ttcf.net/non-profit/nonprofit-tips-hints-grant-seeking-part-ii/ (accessed January 2026)