2025 Trust-Based Community Grantmaking
Community Grants, the Next Evolution
2025 Trust-Based Community Grant Cycle
What matters to the community matters to us. The needs of the community are constantly evolving, and this is true for the nonprofits that serve this region. This year, TTCF has reimagined how we fund local nonprofits to better meet today’s challenges. Our approach to working alongside our nonprofits is rooted in trust-based relationships that reduce barriers for nonprofits, foster equity, and build long-term resilience.
For 2025, we are eliminating competition in our community grantmaking and delivering unrestricted, mission-driven grants. No grant application, lower administrative burden, more impact
2025 Grantmaking Process
What to Expect
The new strategy aims to reduce the burden on nonprofits, address uncertainties they face (such as funding cuts and rising costs), and ensure more equitable resource distribution, regardless of a nonprofit’s size or mission.
This evolution is guided by strategic questions about making the highest and best use of funds, aligning grantmaking with other support mechanisms like capacity building, and leveraging resources to foster learning and engagement.
What Nonprofits Need to Know
What Nonprofits Need to Know
Key Changes
- TTCF eliminated the grant application process for 2025;
- Grantees have been offered trust-based, unrestricted grants;
- Nonprofits are required to register on www.givebacktahoe.org between October 1 – November 1, 2025, to be eligible for future community grants.
What's Next
What's Next
Grantmaking Timeline
September 29 – October 3, 2025: TTCF notifies grantees of awards.
October 1 – November 1, 2025: Give Back Tahoe Nonprofit registration opens.
December 2 – December 31, 2025: Give Back Tahoe Giving Season.
Nonprofits must register for Give Back Tahoe to be eligible for 2026 Community Grants. Even if you don’t plan to actively fundraise on this platform, TTCF relies on www.givebacktahoe.org to maintain a current catalog of regional nonprofits to share with donors, fundholders, and volunteers. This provides us with invaluable community-level and sector information to serve our region.
Grantmaking Goals
Building Readiness
Strengthening nonprofit capacity to engage in systems change and responsive work.
Fostering learning and Engagement
Using grantmaking to gain community insights and create engagement opportunities for funders and donors.
Streamlining and Aligning
Simplifying processes, ensuring equitable resource distribution, and connecting grantmaking to TTCF’s Strategic Plan.
Leveraging Resources
Expanding donor and co-funder engagement to grow available resources for nonprofits. Ultimately, the aim is to make the process easier, not more difficult for nonprofits.
Integration
Building a grantmaking strategy that seamlessly incorporates other TTCF offerings, including capacity building, leadership development, education, and training.
FAQs
- What is “Trust-Based Community Grantmaking?” The 2025 “Trust-Based Community Grantmaking” is an evolution of TTCF’s annual competitive grant cycle. This process has historically included a grant application and volunteer grant committees. This year, we are providing unrestricted grants without the application and volunteer committee process.
- How do I apply for TTCF community grants in 2025? Nonprofits do not apply for a 2025 community grant. Grantees have been selected via the methodology included in the full FAQs. If you received a grant, you will be notified the week of September 29, 2025, via email and mail.
- What about new or emerging nonprofits that haven’t worked with TTCF before? New and emerging nonprofits are encouraged to participate in Give Back Tahoe to begin partnering with TTCF as well as enhance their organization’s community visibility and connection.
- I just received a community grant check from TTCF. What can I use it for? Nonprofits may use the unrestricted funding to serve their missions as they see fit. The only request is that grant dollars be used to benefit the people and places of our region or build capacity for the organization. There are no formal reporting or evaluation requirements, but we intend to keep in touch and always want to hear about your challenges and successes.
Want more details? Read the frequently asked questions covering eligibility, unrestricted funding, and more.