Non-profit’s New Private Funding Model for Basin to be Highlighted at Summit on Monday, August 13

TAHOE CITY, Calif. and INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – August 9, 2012 – The need for more public-private partnerships to complete environmental projects at Lake Tahoe is the focus of the 16th annual Lake Tahoe Summit, which will be held this Monday, August 13 at the Edgewood Tahoe resort at Stateline, NV. The free event will be held 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and is open to the public.

“This need is directly addressed by the non-profit Tahoe Fund,” said Amy Berry, CEO of the Tahoe Fund, which for a second year is the Tahoe Summit Organizing Sponsor. “Our goal is to engage people and organizations with a passion for Tahoe and raise the money needed for environmental projects in the Tahoe Basin. The message at the Summit from our elected leaders will motivate people to become involved in the efforts to improve and enhance the recreation and natural resources of this incredible lake.”

Host U.S. Senator Dean Heller, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, U.S. Congressman Tom McClintock, Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval, California Governor Jerry Brown and other officials and experts are expected to talk about the issues facing Lake Tahoe and the need for public partnerships with private sources like private citizens, businesses and foundations to accomplish environmental and recreational improvements in the Tahoe Basin.

The 2-year-old Tahoe Fund has raised more than $700,000 in private pledges since last year. The Tahoe-based organization is holding its second annual Summer Dinner this Sunday at Edgewood  Tahoe’s Historic Friday’s Station to honor its Founders Circle donors who have pledged to financially support the Fund and its goal of providing funding for conservation, recreation and stewardship education projects at Lake Tahoe.

Registration at the 2012 Lake Tahoe Summit will begin at 9:00 a.m. at the Edgewood Tahoe resort and presentations will start at 10. Parking will be at the Horizon Casino Resort, 50 Highway 50, Stateline, NV and free shuttles will provide transportation to the nearby Summit venue.

About the Tahoe Fund
The mission of Tahoe Fund is to restore and enhance the extraordinary natural environment of the Lake Tahoe Basin by building broad support and funding for projects and programs that increase the enjoyment of the region for current and future generations. The Fund focuses grants on the core areas of conservation, recreation and education/stewardship.

Non-Profit to Celebrate Founding Donors on August 12th

TAHOE CITY, Calif. and INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – July 31, 2012 – The Tahoe Fund is encouraging supporters of Lake Tahoe to break out their croquet whites for a good cause. The environmental non-profit is preparing for its 2nd Annual Founders Circle Summer Dinner, to be held at Edgewood Tahoe’s historic Friday’s Station on Sunday, August 12th. Billed as a night to celebrate the organization’s early funders and the Lake, the event will include “Tahoe Croquet” and a gourmet dinner on the lawn. Senators Feinstein, Heller and Governor Brown have all confirmed their attendance.

Founded in 2010, the Tahoe Fund aims to become a major source of private funding for vital environmental improvement projects in the areas of recreation, conservation and education. The organization brings together many interests within the Tahoe basin, with a board of directors comprised of leaders from California and Nevada, North Lake Tahoe and South Lake Tahoe, public and private organizations, environmentalists, and developers. The Fund is also the organizing sponsor of the 2012 Lake Tahoe Summit sponsored by Senator Dean Heller on the morning after the Croquet Party at Edgewood Tahoe.

“There is a lot to love about Tahoe,” said Tahoe Fund CEO Amy Berry, “This magical night will celebrate all that is amazing about Tahoe and recognize our Founders for their support of our vision to ensure Tahoe continues to be enjoyed by many generations to come.”

The Tahoe Fund launched its first major fundraising campaign, the Founders Circle, in March 2011. Since then the organization has raised more than $650,000 in pledges from individuals, businesses and private foundations. The campaign is set to conclude at the end of this year. The Fund will continue to raise funds for environmental projects like bike trails, hiking trails, watershed restoration and stewardship education.

For more information about the Tahoe Fund Croquet Party and the Founders Circle, please email info@tahoefund.org or call 775-298-0035.

About the Tahoe Fund
The mission of Tahoe Fund is to restore and enhance the extraordinary natural environment of the Lake Tahoe Basin by building broad support and funding for projects and programs that increase the enjoyment of the region for current and future generations. The Fund focuses grants on the core areas of conservation, recreation and education/stewardship.

Appointment Comes As Non-Profit Ramps Up Efforts to Grow Awareness and Raise Funds for Environmental Projects in Tahoe

TAHOE CITY, Calif. and INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – May 30, 2012 – The Tahoe Fund today announced the appointment of Amy R. Berry to the new position of CEO. Originally founded in 2010 and supported by volunteer board members, the naming of a CEO is a major milestone for the organization and its mission to raise private and public funding for environmental projects in Lake Tahoe.

Berry joins the Tahoe Fund from ACCIONA Energy North America, where she was the director of marketing and communications and a member of the management committee for the North American arm of one of the world’s largest renewable energy companies.   A seasoned business executive with a successful career in building brands, developing corporate strategies, attracting media attention to causes, and fostering community relations, Berry will begin her new role on May 30th.

“Amy Berry is the ideal choice to lead the Tahoe Fund at this important point in our development,” said Cindy Gustafson, Tahoe Fund chair of the board.  “She has the experience and energy to help us build the organization into a major source of funding for important conservation, education and recreation projects in Tahoe. Her business background and passion for Lake Tahoe will strongly resonate with Tahoe stakeholders, Tahoe Fund donors and her staff.”

The first priority for Berry will be the Lake Tahoe Summit, hosted this year by Senator Dean Heller and sponsored again by the Tahoe Fund. The annual event, held on August 13th, will bring together federal, state and local leaders to discuss the future of Tahoe.  She will also be focusing on the Tahoe Fund’s second annual fundraising dinner on the evening of August 12th, hoping to build on the success of last year’s event that raised more than $600,000.  Both events will be held at Edgewood in South Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

“It is an honor to take on this new role and to accept the responsibility for leading the Tahoe Fund,” said Amy Berry. “I was immediately drawn to this opportunity by the mission of the organization and the inclusiveness of the Board to bring together so many different interests and voices from across all of Tahoe.  I look forward to working with the board, our donors, and all of the members of the Tahoe community to find solutions and funding for projects that will lead to a sustainable future for the Tahoe we all know and love.”

Berry is a nine-year resident of the Reno/Tahoe area.  Prior to being recruited to ACCIONA in 2010, she was the marketing director for Windspire Energy (formerly Mariah Power) in Reno, where she rebranded the company and helped bring renewable energy to communities across the US.  She worked for local marketing agency, Bauserman Group, and Tahoe Quarterly Magazine prior to Windspire.  Before moving to the region, Berry was a Partner at Ogilvy & Mather in New York City, where she worked on IBM’s global advertising.  She has a certification in planning from the International Association of Public Participation and a degree from Brown University.

Berry was chosen by the board of directors of the Tahoe Fund from an initial pool of over 60 candidates developed in a nationwide recruiting campaign by an executive search firm.

(Photo of Amy R. Berry: http://www.tahoefund.org/media/logos-and-images/)

About the Tahoe Fund
The mission of Tahoe Fund is to restore and enhance the extraordinary natural environment of the Lake Tahoe Basin by building broad support for projects and programs that increase the enjoyment of the region for current and future generations. The Fund focuses grants on the core areas of conservation, recreation and education/stewardship.