The first million dollars of private funding to help restore the former Motel 6 site has been raised by Tahoe Fund donors as part of the “Million for the Marsh” campaign. Launched in November, the campaign set out to raise the first $1 million of private funds to help secure the public funds the California Tahoe Conservancy will need to restore the Upper Truckee Marsh in South Lake Tahoe. 

“We were absolutely blown away by our donors who helped us meet this challenge, further reinforcing how important the restoration of this marsh is to Lake Tahoe’s clarity and the community,” said Amy Berry, Tahoe Fund CEO. “We are committed to helping the Conservancy bring this marsh back to life with the support of philanthropic dollars and stand ready to call on our community for any additional support we may need to make this project happen.” 

In addition to the “Million for the Marsh” campaign, the Tahoe Fund also provided funding for initial acquisition of the former Motel 6 property alongside a number of other partners including the Conservancy, the California Wildlife Conservation Board, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the League to Save Lake Tahoe. Last year, contributions from Tahoe Fund donors and major gifts from the Latrobe Foundation and the Robert S & Dorothy J Keyser Foundation brought in over $200,000 to support the demolition of the buildings on site. 

“We are grateful for the Tahoe Fund donors’ support for this important project,” said Jason Vasques, executive director of the California Tahoe Conservancy. “We look forward to working with our partners as we continue planning the restoration for the southern end of the Upper Truckee Marsh, which is so important for habitat, watershed resilience, and Lake Tahoe.”

In addition to restoring the watershed and the native habitat, this project further advances the 2012 Lake Tahoe Regional Plan and Environmental Improvement Program by removing aging development from sensitive land and retiring or transferring development rights to town centers.

There is still time for you to provide your feedback with the Conservancy on concepts for the proposed project. Visit tahoe.ca.gov/survey.

Learn more and contribute to the project today at tahoefund.org/millionforthemarsh.

Funds will support a new trailhead designed to minimize neighborhood impacts and give everyone an easier start on the trails

Tahoe XC’s trails are getting a new launching point after donors exceeded the Tahoe Fund’s $100,000 matching goal to relocate the year-round trailhead. As part of the larger Tahoe Cross Country Lodge Project, the new trailhead will help minimize neighborhood parking and give everyone an easier start on the area’s popular trails. 

”Tahoe XC has been a welcome home to cross country skiing and mountain biking in our community for over 50 years,” said Bill Dietz, Tahoe Fund board member. “We are thrilled to report that passion for recreation runs deep in our region, as Tahoe Fund donors met and exceeded our goal to support the trailhead relocation effort.”

The Tahoe Fund matching campaign raised over $105,000 of private funding to support the project’s Phase 1 of 3, trailhead relocation. The $2.9 million trailhead relocation phase will create ADA and beginner-friendly trail access not currently available at the existing trailhead due to its topography. It will also provide walkability and transit options for students thanks to its shared parking with North Tahoe High School, and generate year-round community programming opportunities.

“Relocating the trailhead is the first step in realizing our larger goal of finally giving the Tahoe Cross Country community a home that serves and connects for generations to come,” said Jim Robbins, TCCSEA board president and founding member of Tahoe XC. “We are incredibly grateful to those who contributed to the trailhead relocation effort and demonstrated the value this project has to our broader community.”

The Lodge Project will create a functional, sustainable home for Tahoe XC’s growing youth programs and serve as a gathering space for everyone. The new location is a more accessible trailhead to both Tahoe XC’s groomed winter trails and Burton Creek State Park public lands. Once constructed, the new lodge will replace the 50-year-old building that exists today with a new building that will use geothermal heat pumps and solar panels to become a net zero energy commercial building. 

More than 100 donors helped unlock matching funds

Backcountry access in Lake Tahoe received a huge boost thanks to community members participating in the Tahoe Fund’s $10K for TBA matching challenge. The nonprofit organization today announced that more than 100 people donated to support the Tahoe Backcountry Alliance (TBA), unlocking a $10,000 gift from the Tahoe Fund and raising over $26,000 to help TBA improve backcountry access for all. 

“We called on backcountry enthusiasts to help meet this challenge for TBA’s 10th anniversary, and they blew us away,” said Verdi DiSesa, Tahoe Fund Board Chair. “Thanks to the incredible support from this dedicated community, we are able to make TBA’s job of increasing safe access to the backcountry a little bit easier.”

For over a decade, the Tahoe Backcountry Alliance has been tackling backcountry access issues like parking availability, snow removal, and limited trailheads. As part of their mission, they also offer cross-country ski and snowshoe experiences as part of the Washoe Tribe’s Youth Expedition Program, and provide opportunities to borrow sno-park passes and gear for free at libraries throughout El Dorado, Placer and Nevada Counties.

“We are deeply grateful to the Tahoe Fund for championing our work and investing in human-powered backcountry access for all,” said Anthony Cupaiuolo, Tahoe Backcountry Alliance Executive Director. “This matching campaign will make a meaningful impact for the growing winter backcountry community—from experienced backcountry skiers and snowboarders using the trailheads we manage, to families accessing snow affordably through free sno-park passes and gear available via our library partnerships.”

As part of the challenge, donors that gifted $35 or more received a TBA membership that corresponded to their gift level, offering them access to a community of backcountry experts as well as fun giveaways. Even though the challenge is over, TBA memberships are always available at tahoebackcountryalliance.org/membership.

The Tahoe Fund today announced the opening of its annual call for projects. The nonprofit is seeking projects for its 2026 portfolio that will reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire, improve the health of the lake, and make it easier to get around, enjoy, and take care of Lake Tahoe.

Public agencies, nonprofits and environmentally focused businesses are invited to submit proposals for projects that require $5,000 to $1,000,000 in funding. Projects with the ability to leverage public funding as a result of Tahoe Fund support will be prioritized.

“Every year, we are blown away by the creativity of the projects submitted for funding consideration,” said Caitlin Meyer, Chief Program Officer for the Tahoe Fund. “From transforming trailhead restrooms with beautiful murals to sending roving inspectors to busy beaches to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, our partners continue to lead with innovation as they work to improve the Tahoe environment.”

Since its inception, the Tahoe Fund has worked with more than 50 partners to support over 220 projects in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Some highlights include using cutting-edge technology to create more fire-ready neighborhoods through the Fire Smart Community Pilots, acquiring and demolishing the former Motel 6 site in the Upper Truckee River Marsh to make way for restoration of this sensitive wetland, and piloting a new shuttle service to Emerald Bay to make it easier to visit one of Tahoe’s most popular spots without driving.

All submissions will be reviewed by the Tahoe Fund Board of Directors, which is tasked with developing the Tahoe Fund’s project portfolio. Projects submitted for consideration may receive immediate funding or be selected for a Tahoe Fund project campaign in 2026. 

Project submissions are due by January 31, 2026. Guidelines and the request for project submission form can be found here.

Only 100 donors needed to unlock $10,000 for Tahoe Backcountry Alliance

The Tahoe region offers some of the best winter outdoor recreation in the world, but parking availability, snow removal, and limited trailheads often make the backcountry difficult to access. To help the Tahoe Backcountry Alliance tackle these issues, the Tahoe Fund is launching a new $10k matching challenge to the community. 

The first 100 people to donate $35 or more by December 31, 2025 will unlock a $10,000 gift to Tahoe Backcountry Alliance (TBA) in celebration of their 10th anniversary. Donors to the challenge will also receive a TBA membership that corresponds to their gift level. Membership tiers are $35, $150, or $500, and include the following benefits:

• Every TBA member will receive a 3-month free trial with onX with 20% off an onX annual membership if continued
• Everyone at the $150+ level will receive an exclusive Flylow x TBA collab hat
• Core members at the $500+ level receive TBA glass tumblers, a hat and beanie

“The Tahoe Backcountry Alliance does a phenomenal job helping people safely recreate outdoors, especially during the winter months,” said Verdi DiSesa, Tahoe Fund Board Chair. “We want to help make their job even easier. When people donate to help meet the $10,000 match for this fundraising campaign, they’re contributing to an effort that will help improve backcountry access for all.”

As part of their mission, TBA also offers cross-country ski and snowshoe experiences as part of the Washoe Tribe’s Youth Expedition Program, and provides opportunities to borrow sno-park passes and gear for free at libraries throughout El Dorado, Placer and Nevada Counties.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Tahoe Fund for championing our work and investing in preserving and increasing access to human powered backcountry access for everyone,” said Anthony Cupaiuolo, Tahoe Backcountry Alliance Executive Director. “This matching campaign will make a meaningful impact and support the growing community of winter backcountry users.”

Learn more about TBA membership at tahoebackcountryalliance.org/membership, and donate to the Tahoe Fund’s matching challenge at tahoefund.org/tahoebackcountry.