Pro Skier, Wingsuit Movie Stuntman Supports Tahoe Fund Effort to Raise Money for Tahoe Projects

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. and TAHOE CITY, Calif. – February 1, 2012 – Extreme snow sports legend and Transformers film wingsuit stuntman JT Holmes has finished shooting promotional TV spots for the Tahoe Fund’s Plate for Powder program, which gives purchasers of California and Nevada Lake Tahoe license plates two free ski lift or Nordic tickets to the resort of their choice when they order plates throughTahoeplates.com. Holmes, a Lake Tahoe resident, and TahoeTV of Squaw Valley donated time and equipment to produce the spots atop Squaw Valley last Friday.

Over 96 percent of plate fees go to on-the-ground projects such as parks, trails and bike paths, and education and conservation efforts at Tahoe. Drivers who purchase a California or Nevada Tahoe vehicle license plate via the Tahoe Fund website will receive two free ski lift or Nordic tickets to the resort of their choice. New Tahoe plates cost $50 in California and $61 in Nevada.

Tahoe plate sales and renewals in California raise over $1.2 million a year for Tahoe projects, and Nevada plates have earned about $5 million in the past 10 years for Tahoe projects on the Silver State side of the Lake.

“JT was enthusiastic, personable and great fun to be with on this shoot for the Plate for Powder program,” said Eric Brandt, TahoeTV president and CEO. “The program and the Tahoe Fund deserve everyone’s support for the work they are doing on behalf of the Tahoe Basin.”

Tahoe and international snowboard icon Jeremy Jones and the U.S.’ most decorated competition and Olympic skier, Daron Rahlves, already appear in print, TV and radio ads for the Tahoe plate project.

License plate buyers going to Tahoeplates.com will receive two tickets to one of the participating resorts: Sugar Bowl, Boreal Ridge, Homewood,Kirkwood, Heavenly Valley, Alpine Meadows, Northstar-at-Tahoe (Alpine and Nordic), Tahoe Cross Country, Sierra-at-Tahoe, Squaw Valley USA,Tahoe Donner (Alpine and Nordic), and Royal Gorge. The free tickets and day passes are valid Sunday through Friday for the 2011/2012 season until supplies run out. Standard holiday blackout dates apply to downhill ski areas, including 2/18-2/20. Check with each resort for specific holiday blackout dates.

(TV spots and production photos available here)

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. Tahoe Fund supports short- and long-term project-based enhancements to the natural environment and infrastructure of the Lake Tahoe Basin. The Fund focuses grants on the core areas of conservation, recreation and education/stewardship.

About the Plate for Powder Program

The Plate for Powder program is the name of the non-profit Tahoe Fund’s efforts to market and motivate sales of the Tahoe specialty license plates made available by the State of California Department of Motor Vehicles. Following administrative costs, 96 percent of Tahoe license plate sales income supports the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program, which focuses on bike paths, hiking trails, parks and conservation, public access and education/stewardship projects. Projects (map) are implemented by the California Tahoe Conservancy.

Plate Sales Support Tahoe Fund Projects;
Snow Will Allow JT Holmes Promo Shoot to Proceed

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. and TAHOE CITY, Calif. – January 19, 2012 – The snow forcast to hit the Lake Tahoe region during the next few days is expected to give the Tahoe Fund’s Plate for Powder program a boost along with Sierra ski resorts and businesses. Drivers who purchase a California or Nevada Tahoe vehicle license plate will receive two free ski lift or Nordic tickets to the resort of their choice. New Tahoe plates cost $50 in California and $61 in Nevada.

The anticipated snowfall will also allow the Tahoe Fund to proceed with plans to shoot a publicity spot featuring extreme snow sports pro andTransformers film wingsuit stuntman JT Holmes of Lake Tahoe. Holmes is donating his appearance for the Plate for Powder program, from which 96 percent of sales income goes directly to conservation, recreation and education projects in the Tahoe Basin.

“To have someone of the stature of JT Holmes supporting our efforts to raise money for Tahoe is remarkable,” said Cindy Gustafson, Tahoe Fund Chair of the Board. “Local professional athletes like JT, Jeremy Jones and Daron Rahlves deserve a lot of praise for their unselfish contributions to the Plate for Powder program and to Lake Tahoe.”

Jones and Rahlves already appear in print, TV and radio ads for the plate project.

All major Tahoe ski resorts are participating in the 2nd Annual Plate for Powder program, including Heavenly Valley, Northstar-at-Tahoe(Alpine and Nordic), Squaw Valley USA, Alpine Meadows, Homewood, Kirkwood, Sugar Bowl, Boreal Ridge, Tahoe Donner (Alpine and Nordic), Royal Gorge, Tahoe Cross Country, and Sierra-at-Tahoe. The free tickets and day passes are valid Sunday through Friday for the 2011/2012 season until supplies run out. Standard holiday blackout dates apply to downhill ski areas, including 2/18-2/20. Check with each resort for specific holiday blackout dates. (Previous TV spot available here)

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. Tahoe Fund supports short- and long-term project-based enhancements to the natural environment and infrastructure of the Lake Tahoe Basin. The Fund focuses grants on the core areas of conservation, recreation and education/stewardship.

About the Plate for Powder Program
The Plate for Powder program is the name of the non-profit Tahoe Fund’s efforts to market and motivate sales of the Tahoe specialty license plates made available by the State of California Department of Motor Vehicles. Following administrative costs, 96 percent of Tahoe license plate sales income supports the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program, which focuses on bike paths, hiking trails, parks and conservation, public access and education/stewardship projects. Projects (map) are implemented by the California Tahoe Conservancy.

Lake Tahoe Non-Profit Seeks Executive to Lead Restoration, Recreation, Education Funding Efforts

TAHOE CITY, Calif. and INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – January 10, 2012 – The non-profit Tahoe Fund has engaged Olive Grove Consulting of Belmont, CA to conduct a search for the Fund’s founding Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Over the next 10 years the CEO will be responsible for raising and distributing $50 million to restore and enhance the Lake, including work on bike trails, restoration projects, interpretive programs, public parks and related projects. Founded in 2010, Tahoe Fund raises private money to supplement the limited public funding available for such efforts.

“It is with great anticipation that we start this search for a leader who will bring visibility to the organization and help us achieve the ambitious goals we have set,” said Cindy Gustafson, President of the Tahoe Fund Board of Directors. “A CEO will give us the infrastructure needed to raise funds and complete projects that will benefit current and future generations.”

The CEO, reporting to the Board of Directors, will manage and lead all aspects of the Tahoe Fund, a 501(c)(3) corporation. At the outset the CEO will be responsible for building the Fund’s organizational infrastructure along with leading the Board in developing the Fund’s strategy. Critical to the Fund’s success will be relationships the CEO will build with leaders, donors and donor prospects from around the region, including Reno, Las Vegas, Sacramento, San Francisco, Silicon Valley and nationally with those who share in the mission and vision of the Fund.

The Tahoe Fund raised over $600,000 in donations last year and has funded its first three projects in the Tahoe Basin.

More information on the CEO position is available at OliveGroveConsulting.com.

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. Tahoe Fund supports short- and long-term project-based enhancements to the natural environment and infrastructure of the Lake Tahoe Basin. The Fund focuses grants on the core areas of conservation, recreation and education/stewardship.

About Olive Grove Consulting
Since 2002, Olive Grove Consulting has worked with the leaders of nonprofits, philanthropic organizations, corporations, and public agencies who are intent on building a vibrant and just society. In 2011, the firm tripled in size and completed over 100 projects. Clients include San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco, and the Schwab Charitable Fund.

Tahoe Athletes Support Tahoe Fund Recreation,
Conservation Projects Funded by License Plate Fees

TAHOE CITY, Calif. and INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – December 14, 2011  — Two of Lake Tahoe’s most popular ski and snowboarding icons, Daron Rahlves and Jeremy Jones, have finished shooting public service ads this week for the nonprofit Tahoe Fund’s Plate for Powder program (photos). Rahlves and Jones donated their time for the California and Nevada Lake Tahoe specialty license plates program, which gives new Tahoe license plate buyers two free Alpine or Nordic ski tickets to their choice of 12 major Lake Tahoe-area ski resorts.

Rahlves, a three-time World Championship medalist and three times a member of the U.S. Olympic team, is the most-decorated U.S. skier in history. In 2001 he was the first American ever to win the Super G world title, and in 2005 won World Championship medals in the Giant Slalom and Downhill. Rahlves was on the U.S. ski team for 13 years.

Jones is famous for his big mountain freeriding as well as for his nonprofit Protect Our Winters environmental organization dedicated to addressing global warming. The snowboarder has starred in numerous snow sports films, and is producing a trio of documentaries on snowboarding.

Visuals of the two talking about the Plate for Powder program will be used in advertising in local and regional media outlets. Over 96% of Lake Tahoe license plate fees go directly to Tahoe Basin bike paths, hiking trails, parks, and restoration projects of the California Tahoe Conservancy, the Nevada Division of State Lands, and the Tahoe Fund.

“Having Tahoe-area athletes like Daron and Jeremy support the Tahoe Plate for Powder program is inspiring,” said Cindy Gustafson, President of the Tahoe Fund. “Who better knows the value of recreation and conservation projects at Tahoe than two local pro athletes who learned – and now practice – their skills here?”

The special resort ticket deal is available only through the tahoefund.org website, where buyers can receive their two free tickets by purchasing a new California Tahoe plate for $50 or a new Nevada Tahoe plate for $61.

All major Tahoe ski resorts are participating in the 2^nd Annual Plate for Powder Program, including Squaw Valley USA, Alpine Meadows, Homewood, Heavenly Valley, Northstar-at-Tahoe (Alpine and Nordic), Kirkwood, Sugar Bowl, Boreal Ridge, Tahoe Donner (Alpine and Nordic), Royal Gorge, Tahoe Cross Country, and Sierra-at-Tahoe. The free tickets and day passes are valid Sunday through Friday for the 2011/2012 season until supplies run out. Standard holiday blackout dates apply to downhill ski areas, including 12/24-1/1, 1/14-1/16, and 2/18-2/20. Check with each resort for specific holiday blackout dates.

To purchase a Tahoe plate and receive your complimentary lift tickets, visit www.tahoefund.org.

(Photos : Behind-the-scenes with Daron Rahlves and Jeremy Jones on the Plate for Powder shoot)

July 26, 2011

The Tahoe Fund, a new nonprofit that is partnering with public agencies to restore and enhance the extraordinary natural and recreational resources of Lake Tahoe, has named five new members to its Board of Directors. Joining the Board this month are:

• Blaise Carrig, the co-president of Vail Resorts, including Lake Tahoe’s Heavenly Valley Resort;
• John Friedrich, a former staff member of the Yosemite Conservancy and the League to Save Lake Tahoe;
• Trish Ronald, an environmentalist, long-time League to Save Lake Tahoe and Tahoe Baikal Institute board member, and Bay Area business woman;
• Terry Watt, a conservationist formerly with the San Francisco environmental and land use law firm Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger; and
• Andy Wirth, CEO of Squaw Valley ski resort.

“This is an impressive group of new board members, both in terms of commitment to Lake Tahoe and the experience they bring to the Tahoe Fund,” said Cindy Gustafson, Tahoe Fund Chair of the Board. “The Tahoe Fund prides itself in having board members that represent every aspect of the Tahoe Basin community.”

Carrig was COO and CEO of Heavenly Valley Resort on Lake Tahoe’s south shore from 2002 to 2010 before being promoted to co-president of Vail Resorts Inc. His knowledge of the Lake Tahoe community and Heavenly’s strong support of Basin organizations such as Sierra Nevada College and the nonprofit Tahoe Baikal Institute have earned Carrig local accolades.

Friedrich advocated for sustainable solutions and citizen engagement on key Tahoe Basin issues while program director at the League in 2007. He has over 20 years experience in non-profit organization leadership, the majority of which has been in the field of environmental and community sustainability.

Ronald helped found the Lake Tahoe Transportation and Water Quality Coalition during her 21 years as a League to Save Lake Tahoe board member, and was instrumental in negotiating support among environmental and community organizations for a revised master plan for Heavenly Valley. She also helped develop the Tahoe Baikal Institute environmental exchange program between the U.S. and Russia.

Watt has worked closely with organizations such as the Planning and Conservation League (PCL) and the Nature Conservancy, and her Terrell Watt Planning Consultants firm has provided planning and land use expertise to numerous state and local organizations. She was awarded the PCL’s prestigious Carla Bard Award for Individual Achievement in 2009.

Wirth brings a long-time passion for the mountains, and business and ski industry acumen to the Tahoe Fund board. He was named Squaw CEO in August 2010 after a successful career as a senior executive with Intrawest and Colorado’s Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation. A former backcountry ranger, wilderness ranger and Hot Shot fire crew member, Wirth has 25 years of experience working for mountain resort operating companies in North America and Europe.

(Other Tahoe Fund board member bios)