At the Tahoe Fund, we work directly with our partners on projects that improve the Lake Tahoe environment for all to enjoy. Over the past decade, we have granted funds to over 220 different environmental improvement projects that align with our three focus areas:
- The Forest: Lower the risk of catastrophic wildfire by increasing the pace and scale of fuels reduction.
- The Lake: Improve the health of the lake.
- The Experience: Make it easier to get around, enjoy and take care of Lake Tahoe.
Early-Stage Grants
Looking for an early stage investment? Project submissions for early-stage grants through our Environmental Venture Trust or Smartest Forest Fund can be submitted here as well. These projects should be able to demonstrate how an early investment will be leveraged to secure significantly more funding in the future from public or private sources. They should also bring innovative solutions to Tahoe’s environmental challenges.
How to Submit a Project
The Tahoe Fund’s 2026 Call for Projects opens on December 10, 2025 and will close on January 31, 2026. Below please find more information about our project submission process.
You will be asked to provide the following information in the project submission form:
- Your contact information
- An overview of the project, its objectives and its benefits to Tahoe
- Project location
- Which Tahoe Fund Focus Area your project addresses (see full list above)
- How your project aligns with the Focus Area you selected
- How your project will increase access and inclusivity for underserved communities in the Basin (if applicable)
- Project partners, including any organizations, agencies or other entities that are or will be involved in this project.
- Project timeline, including timelines for environmental approvals, planning, construction, etc.
- Total project budget
- Amount of funding requested from the Tahoe Fund
- Other funding sources for the project, including any public funding sources
Project Guidelines
- Projects must be in the Tahoe Basin and should be consistent with the program priorities laid out above: The Forest, The Lake, and The Experience.
- Projects should be inclusive of all residents and visitors of Lake Tahoe.
- Projects should have high appeal to the private sector. Tahoe Fund does not provide funding for activities or projects that are generally viewed as the base operation and maintenance responsibilities of the requesting entity.
- Tahoe Fund grants are intended to leverage existing levels of federal, state, and local funding. Project requests cannot be a substitute for the base operational budgets of these entities.
- Tahoe Fund will consider funding requests for early-stage projects within its Environmental Venture Trust and Smartest Forest Fund portfolios. Projects must show the ability to leverage an early investment with future funding sources.
- Tahoe Fund projects must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local statutes and regulations, and should contribute to the attainment of one or more TRPA thresholds (i.e., water quality, air quality, soil conservation, scenic quality, recreation, fisheries, wildlife, noise, vegetation preservation).
- The Tahoe Fund seeks projects that have completed necessary environmental review processes. If you have not yet received environmental approvals, please be sure to include the date you anticipate receiving them.
- The Tahoe Fund is focused on expanding stewardship of the region, and will consider projects that focus on large-scale stewardship. K-12 programs are not currently being considered.
- The Tahoe Fund will not select projects that address the mitigation requirements of private projects.
- The project administrator must be able to demonstrate that there is community support for the project (or no major conflicts).
- The project administrator must have the ability to recognize the Tahoe Fund for the donation (e.g., plaque, publicity, marketing, special events).
- Indirect costs cannot exceed 5%.
Project Review Process
The Tahoe Fund’s 2026 Call for Projects opens on December 10, 2025 and will close on January 31, 2026. Submissions will be reviewed by the Tahoe Fund Board, which is tasked with developing the Tahoe Fund’s project portfolio. Funding decisions will be made by the end of March 2026.
