Funding to Expand Non-Profit’s Capacity to Raise Funds for Environmental Improvement Projects

TAHOE CITY, Calif. and INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – February 21, 2013 – The Tahoe Fund, an environmental non-profit raising funds for environmental improvement projects in the Tahoe Basin, today announced it has received an “Every Day Capacity Building Grant” from the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF). The grant program is made possible through the generous support of Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc.  This grant will provide resources to help the Tahoe Fund expand its online fundraising capacity and donor management capabilities.  The Tahoe Fund was one of 29 grantees selected from a competitive pool of 160 applicants.

“We are honored to have the support of NEEF and Toyota to help us expand our efforts to raise funding for environmental projects,” said Tahoe Fund CEO Amy Berry. “With this grant we will be able to expand our reach to the millions of people who are passionate about Tahoe and want to join us in our efforts to preserve this extraordinary environment.”

Founded in 2010, the Tahoe Fund is a bi-state non-profit dedicated to raising money for environmental improvement projects that will improve lake clarity, enhance recreation and build a stronger sense of environmental stewardship in the Tahoe Basin.  The organization has funded the following projects: two critical watershed restoration projects that significantly reduced the flow of fine sediment into Lake Tahoe, two one-mile sections of the Tahoe Bikeway that will one day connect around the entire lake, a bi-state park in South Lake Tahoe, and the UC Davis State of the Lake Report which analyzes important scientific data on the health of Tahoe.

Donations of any amount are welcome by the Tahoe Fund. Founders Circle membership is open to supporters pledging $5,000 or more. Information is available at info@tahoefund.org, or by calling 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.

About the National Environmental Education Foundation
The National Environmental Education Foundation is the nation’s leading organization in lifelong environmental learning, connecting people to knowledge they use to improve the quality of their lives and the health of the planet. To accomplish this, NEEF provides knowledge to trusted professionals and other leaders who, with their credibility, amplify messages to national audiences to solve everyday environmental problems. Learn more at www.neefusa.org.

Media Contact:
Lauren Swanson
The Tahoe Fund
info (at) tahoefund.org
Phone: 775.298.0035

Tahoe Fund Launches ‘Plate Spotter’ Campaign to Reward Tahoe Plate Holders

TAHOE CITY, Calif. and INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – December 20, 2012 – The environmental non-profit Tahoe Fund today announced the launch of the Lake Tahoe License Plate ‘Plate Spotter’ program to reward owners of Lake Tahoe license plates with free lift tickets during the 2013 Winter season.  Tahoe plates spotted by official “spotters” and the general public will be entered to win free lift tickets every week until March 20, 2013. The program is designed to raise awareness of Lake Tahoe license plates, and to reward and encourage renewals and new Tahoe license plate purchases.

Over 96 percent of the funds raised through the Lake Tahoe license plate sales go directly to the California Tahoe Conservancy and Nevada Division of State Lands to fund hiking and biking trails and watershed restoration projects. The Tahoe Fund, a bi-state non-profit dedicated to raising money for environmental improvement projects that support lake clarity, recreation and stewardship in the Tahoe Basin, is organizing the program on behalf of the public agencies.

“This is a fun and effective way to showcase Lake Tahoe license plates,” commented Amy Berry, CEO of the Tahoe Fund. “By raising awareness and rewarding plate holders we hope to generate more plate purchases and ultimately more funds for the California Tahoe Conservancy and Nevada Division of State Lands for their important Tahoe area recreation and environmental projects.”

“A Lake Tahoe license plate is a great way to give back to the place you love,” said Eric Brandt, President of Destination Media Solutions, which operates Tahoe TV, who proposed the ‘Plate Spotter’ campaign. “The funds provided from license plate sales go directly to projects at the lake that enhance the Lake Tahoe experience.”

Tahoe plates “spotted” by the Plate Spotting Team will be photographed and eligible for the weekly drawing of two lift tickets at a participating Lake Tahoe area resort.  The public is invited to spot plates and upload their own photos to the Tahoe Fund Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/tahoefund) as well. Each week’s winning plate will be posted on the Tahoe Plate Spotting Web page (www.TahoePlateSpotting.com) and the Tahoe Fund Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/tahoefund) and promoted via social and multiple other media outlets, including Tahoe TV’s Lake Tahoe App, website, TV programs, and the Lake Tahoe Snow Report.

The Tahoe Fund is also again running the popular “Plates for Powder” promotion to drive sales of Lake Tahoe license plates.  Anyone who purchases a new Lake Tahoe license plate in either California or Nevada before April 15, 2013 is eligible to receive two free Alpine or Nordice tickets to one of the 11 Tahoe resorts participating in the program.  For details on “Plates for Powder” visit www.TahoePlates.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 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.

Help Support the Tahoe Fund with A Once-In-A-Lifetime Chair Ride

December 19, 2012 – Support the Tahoe Fund and create an unforgettable Tahoe memory for yourself or someone special. On December 28th (moved from Dec. 22nd due to the weekend’s snowstorm), Squaw will celebrate the official opening of the new Big Blue Express chairlift. You can bid to be on one of the very first chairs with Jonny Moseley, JT Holmes, Cody Townsend or Andy Wirth. All of the proceeds will go to the Tahoe Fund to help fund environmental improvement projects around Lake Tahoe.

The festivities begin at 10am on Friday, December 28th but the bidding begins now. You have until 6pm on Thursday, December 27th to make your bid.

To get started, visit the auction site here: http://auctions.readysetauction.com/tahoefund/catalog/view

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 Raised Private Dollars to Support South Shore Bike Trail
Connecting Casino Corridor to Eastern Shore

TAHOE CITY, Calif. and INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – December 3, 2012 – The environmental non-profit Tahoe Fund presented a $12,850 check today to the Tahoe Transportation District for the Rabe Meadow Bike Path, a key segment of the proposed new bike and pedestrian route around Lake Tahoe called the Lake Tahoe Bikeway. The Bikeway will link communities around the lake, improve air quality, and provide a breathtaking recreational amenity for Tahoe residents and visitors.

The initial 1-mile Rabe Meadow segment is the first of the ultimate 3-mile segment that will extend from the Nevada/California border in Stateline, Nevada to Round Hill Pines Resort. The funding was contributed by private donors at the Tahoe Fund annual Founders Circle Summer Dinner in August, including a significant donation from the South Tahoe Alliance of Resorts (STAR) group.

“It is so exciting to see the generosity of our donors lay the groundwork for what will one day be a bike trail all the way around the Lake,” said Amy Berry, CEO of the Tahoe Fund. “The Lake Tahoe Bikeway will not only provide an extraordinary recreational opportunity for visitors and residents, it will get people out of their cars and promote a healthier environment.”

“A big thank you to the Tahoe Fund donors,” said Alfred Knotts, Transportation Projects Manager, Tahoe Transportation District. “With their help we are finishing this one piece of a much larger project that will eventually transform the Tahoe community.”

This segment provides a direct connection from the south shore’s major tourist and lodging corridor to several residential, shopping, school, and beach areas. The bike path also includes environmentally sensitive design features, including boardwalks over wetland areas, and connections to major transit hubs. The Nevada Lake Tahoe Bikeway is a collaborative effort of the following agencies: Carson City, Douglas County, Incline Village General Improvement District, Nevada Division of State Parks, Nevada Division of State Lands, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, Tahoe Transportation District, USDA Forest Service, Washoe County, Nevada Department of Transportation, Lake Tahoe License Plates, Federal Highway Administration and the Washoe Tribe

Donations of any amount are welcome by the Tahoe Fund. Founders Circle membership is open to supporters pledging $5,000 or more by the end of this year when the Founders Circle campaign concludes. Information is available at info@tahoefund.org, or by calling 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.

Non-Profit Raised Private Dollars to Support Restoration of Incline & Third Creek Watershed Restoration Projects

TAHOE CITY, Calif. and INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – November 14, 2012 – The environmental non-profit Tahoe Fund presented a $10,000 check today to the Nevada interagency team responsible for implementing the state’s highest priority Lake Tahoe restoration project, the Third Creek and Incline Creek watershed project. The grant finances a pedestrian bridge over Incline Creek to provide a recreational amenity in the heart of Incline Village and support the Environmental Improvement Program to improve lake clarity and recreational opportunities in the Tahoe Basin.

The Third and Incline Creeks watershed discharges more damaging fine sediment into the lake than any other watershed in Nevada. The funding was contributed by private donors at the Tahoe Fund annual Founders Circle Summer Dinner in August, and helps with a project that will significantly reduce sediment and improve fish passage.

“Thanks to the generosity of our donors we are able to help fund important projects like this that will truly make a difference in terms of lake clarity,” said Amy Berry, CEO of the Tahoe Fund. “This bridge is a wonderful example of how we can come together to create a Tahoe that balances our natural environment and our recreational use of this amazing outdoor playground.”

“The Division of State Lands and the Tahoe Resource Team are very grateful for this donation from the Tahoe Fund,” said Jim Lawrence, Administrator, Nevada Division of State Lands.  “It is wonderful to have private support in our efforts to improve the Tahoe environment.”

The Incline Village General Improvement District (IVGID), the US Army Corps of Engineers, and the Nevada Division of State Lands completed the first two phases of this collaborative interagency project in 2009 and 2010.  Portions of Third Creek were restored, culverts were replaced, and new bridges were built. The final phase includes stream restoration improvements on Third Creek from Lakeshore Drive to Lake Tahoe, and on Third and Incline Creeks from Incline Way to State Route 28. To allow for safe, stabilized foot traffic across both creeks and diminish stream bank erosion, pedestrian bridges like the one funded by Tahoe Fund have been included in the project design.

Donations of any amount are welcome by the Tahoe Fund. Founders Circle membership is open to supporters pledging $5,000 or more by the end of this year when the Founders Circle campaign concludes. Information is available at info@tahoefund.org, or by calling 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.