Nonprofit Seeks Private Donations to Help Restore Lake Clarity and Improve Recreation

TAHOE CITY, Calif. and INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – June 10, 2013 – The Tahoe Fund is kicking off its 2013 fundraising season with the announcement of four 2013 Signature Projects that will help restore lake clarity and improve recreation in the Basin. The projects include beach improvements at Sand Harbor State Park, Asian Clam control in Emerald Bay, a mile of bike trail along the West Shore, and a new bridge across Angora Creek in the Washoe Meadows State Park. Interested donors can learn more about these projects on the Tahoe Fund website by visiting www.TahoeFund.org/2013Projects.

“We are excited to connect with so many of those passionate about improving the Tahoe environment,” said Tahoe Fund CEO Amy Berry. “Through the generosity of our donors, we have had great success getting important projects funded and in the ground. We are hopeful we can again harness the incredible passion for Tahoe and really make a difference for the Lake.”

The Tahoe Fund is the first and only nonprofit in the Tahoe Basin dedicated to raising money for environmental improvement projects to ensure a sustainable Tahoe for many generations to come. The Fund focuses on environmental improvement projects that restore lake clarity, improve recreation and build a strong sense of environmental stewardship in the region.

The 2013 Signature Projects will be highlighted at the Tahoe Fund’s 3rd Annual Founders Circle Summer Dinner on August 18th at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe. The event will also celebrate the early founding donors of the Tahoe Fund. To learn more about joining the Founders Circle or attending the event please visit tahoefund.org.

Founded in 2010, the organization through its generous donors has funded two high priority watershed restoration projects, the Blackwood Creek/Eagle Rock Trail restoration on the West Shore and the Incline/3rd Creek Restoration on the North Shore; segments of the Tahoe Bikeway in Tahoe City and South Lake Tahoe; the Van-Sickle Bi-State Park in South Lake Tahoe; and the UC Davis “State of the Lake” report.

New Smartphone App Helps Visitors Research & Discover More Than 50 Tahoe Beaches

TAHOE CITY, Calif. and INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – June 10, 2013 – With summer approaching, the Tahoe Fund, an environmental nonprofit dedicated to preserving and improving the Tahoe environment, today announced the launch of the Tahoe Beaches App to help more than 2 million Tahoe visitors find their way to the perfect beach outing on the public shores of Lake Tahoe. The app will also bring environmental benefits, helping to allow a more even flow of visitors to all beaches.

The app, available in iTunes and Google Play, allows visitors to plan their Tahoe experience with images and details about beach amenities, including barbeques, boat rentals, pet restrictions, and public transportation. With more than 50 public beaches, the app allows users to plan their Tahoe experience from home or while traveling around the Lake. Twitter feeds enable real time information from the public agencies managing the beaches.  Users can post their favorite beaches to Facebook and invite family and friends to join them. The app also includes important stewardship information to help beach goers take care of the environment.

“On a hot summer day there is no better place to be than in the Lake, but finding the right beach to fit your desired experience isn’t always easy,” according to Tahoe Fund CEO Amy Berry. “With the Tahoe Beaches App more people will be able to find their way to the crystal blue waters of Tahoe while reducing the environmental damage of overcrowding .”

The Tahoe Beaches App was developed by the Tahoe Fund and co-funded by the California Tahoe Conservancy through the Lake Tahoe License Plate Program.  Seven public agencies collaborated to develop the app, seamlessly integrating public beach information across their organizations to get information to their users. The partners include: California Tahoe Conservancy, California State Parks, Tahoe City PUD, North Tahoe PUD, Nevada Division of State Parks, the U.S. Forest Service, and Tahoe Transportation District.

“The new app also showcases our continuing major investments in improving public access to Lake Tahoe,” said Patrick Wright, Executive Director of the Tahoe Conservancy.   “Visitors can now enjoy over 34 miles of lakefront parks, up from just 14 miles in 1971.”

The Tahoe Beaches App is available on both Apple and Android phones and is available for free in their respective App Stores. To learn more or to download the app, please visit www.tahoepublicbeaches.com.

Founded in 2010, the Tahoe Fund is a bi-state nonprofit dedicated to raising money for  projects that will improve lake clarity, enhance recreation and build a stronger sense of environmental stewardship in the Lake Tahoe Basin.  In addition to the Tahoe Beaches App, the organization has funded two high priority watershed restoration projects, the Blackwood Creek/Eagle Rock Trail restoration on the West Shore and the Incline/3rd Creek Restoration on the North Shore; segments of the Tahoe Bikeway in Tahoe City and South Lake Tahoe; the Van-Sickle Bi-State Park in South Lake Tahoe; and the UC Davis “State of the Lake” report. The Tahoe Fund seeks donations of any size to help sustain the organization and the extraordinary natural environment of the Lake Tahoe Basin.

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. More information available at http://www.tahoefund.org

About the California Tahoe Conservancy

Established in 1984, the mission of the Tahoe Conservancy is to lead California’s efforts to restore and enhance the extraordinary natural and recreational resources of the Lake Tahoe Basin. More information available at http://tahoe.ca.gov/

Media Contact:

Amy Berry

Tahoe Fund
info (at) tahoefund.org
Phone: 775.298.0035

PlumpJack Group President Brings Lifelong Passion and Successful History of Fundraising to Environmental Nonprofit

TAHOE CITY, Calif. and INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – April 17, 2013 – The Tahoe Fund, the only non-profit dedicated to funding environmental improvement projects in Tahoe, today announced the election of Hilary Newsom to its board of directors.  Newsom is currently President of San Francisco based PlumpJack Group, owner of the PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn.  Newsom has long family ties to Lake Tahoe, dating back to 1960 when her grandfather signed a 99-year lease at Olympic Village. Newsom brings an extensive history of philanthropy and fundraising to the organization.

“Hilary has an incredible passion for Tahoe and significant success raising funds for causes she cares about,” said Cindy Gustafson, Chair of the Board. “We are thrilled to have her support in our efforts to raise money for environmental projects around the Lake.”

“I have spent much of my life enjoying the splendor of Tahoe’s environment,” said Newsom.  “I am honored to join this wonderful organization and its board of directors in their efforts to preserve it.”

Passionate about philanthropy since childhood, Newsom is a compassionate and committed fundraiser on behalf of several charitable organizations.  Newsom is also on the board of Holy Family Day Home and the Cancer Prevention Institute of California (CPIC) and serves on countless benefit event committees.  She and her husband founded the annual PlumpJack/LINK Golf Classic 14 years ago that has raised more than $2.8 million dollars for the fight against breast cancer.

Founded in 2010, the Tahoe Fund is a bi-state nonprofit dedicated to raising money for  projects that will improve lake clarity, enhance recreation and build a stronger sense of environmental stewardship in the Lake Tahoe Basin.  The organization has funded two high priority watershed restoration projects, the Blackwood Creek/Eagle Rock Trail restoration on the West Shore and the Incline/3rd Creek Restoration on the North Shore; segments of the Tahoe Bikeway in Tahoe City and South Lake Tahoe; the Van-Sickle Bi-state Park in South Lake Tahoe; and the UC Davis “State of the Lake” report. In addition to these projects, the Tahoe Fund is also seeking donations to its “Founders Circle” campaign to help sustain the organization.

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 www.tahoefund.org or by emaling 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.

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

Northstar, Heavenly and Kirkwood customers support Tahoe through dollar donations on lift tickets and season pass sales

Truckee, CA. – April 3, 2013 – The check is courtesy of donations from guests at Northstar, Heavenly and Kirkwood who added a dollar donation while purchasing online lift tickets, season passes, lodging and rounds of golf.  This is the second donation the Tahoe Fund has received through the on-going dollar program, bringing the total of donations from guests of Vail Resorts in the Tahoe area to almost $60,000.

“Through the Vail Resorts Tahoe Fund donation program, we have been able to raise significant dollars that go directly to protecting our landscapes and providing sustainable access to the places that make Tahoe special,” said Blaise Carrig, president of Vail Resorts mountain division. “Our guests feel an immediate connection by being able to make a tangible impact on the places they love.”

“We are so grateful to Vail Resorts for putting the dollar donation program in place,” said Amy Berry, CEO of the Tahoe Fund. “We would like to extend a huge thank you to the guests of Northstar, Heavenly and Kirkwood for their generous support for our efforts to preserve the Tahoe environment.”

Founded in 2010, the Tahoe Fund is a bi-state non-profit dedicated to raising money for  projects that will improve lake clarity, enhance recreation and build a stronger sense of environmental stewardship in the Lake Tahoe Basin.  The organization has funded two high priority watershed restoration projects: the Blackwood Creek/Eagle Rock Trail restoration on the West Shore and the Incline/3^rd Creek Restoration on the North Shore; segments of the Tahoe Bikeway in Tahoe City and South Lake Tahoe; the Van-Sickle Bi-state Park in South Lake Tahoe; and the UC Davis “State of the Lake” report.

Donations of any amount are welcome by the Tahoe Fund. Information is available at info@tahoefund.org, or by calling 775.298.0035.

Buy a Tahoe License Plate and Receive Two Free Lift Tickets

TAHOE CITY, Calif. and INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – March 11, 2013 – California and Nevada residents can take advantage of the 35 inches of new Tahoe snow with two free lift tickets through the popular “Plates for Powder” program offered through the Tahoe Fund. Purchase a new California or Nevada Tahoe license plate and you are eligible for two free Alpine or Nordic lift tickets. Tickets are available at 11 participating Tahoe resorts.

“With all this great new snow the Tahoe resorts are looking terrific,” said Tahoe Fund’s CEO Amy Berry. “Now is the perfect time to purchase a Tahoe plate and make great use of two free lift tickets while helping improve our extraordinary environment.”

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

The resorts participating in the promotion include: Alpine Meadows, Heavenly Valley, Homewood, Kirkwood, Mt. Rose, Northstar California, Royal Gorge Cross Country, Sierra-at-Tahoe, Squaw Valley, Sugar Bowl, and Tahoe Cross Country.
Current Tahoe license plate holders are also eligible for free tickets through the “Plate Spotter” program.  Owners of Tahoe plates can post a photo of their Tahoe plate to the Tahoe Fund Facebook page. A winning photo is chosen weekly to receive two free lift tickets from one of the participating resorts.

Information on how to purchase a plate and redeem free tickets is available at www.tahoeplates.com. The promotion is available through April 15. Some restrictions apply; visit the website for more details.

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.