2026 Trust-Based Community Grantmaking
Community Grants, Evolving How Funders Serve Nonprofits
Trust-Based Community Grantmaking
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. In 2025, TTCF piloted a completely trust-based grants process, eliminating the grant application process. This year, our team is applying our learnings to ensure we meet the evolving challenges of today. 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.
2026 Grantmaking Process
Please check back Summer 2026.
TTCF’s team is currently developing the guidelines and timelines for the 2026 community grantmaking cycle. Please check back to learn more during Summer 2026.
Make sure you’re receiving our nonprofit emails by emailing hello@ttcf.net.
Evolving Grantmaking
Evolving Grantmaking
2025 Community Grant Process
- TTCF eliminated the grant application process for 2025;
- Grantees were offered trust-based, unrestricted grants;
- Nonprofits registered on www.givebacktahoe.org to provide TTCF, our co-funders, and donors with a picture of the state of the community.
What's Next
What's Next
2026 Timeline
Summer 2026: Grantmaking and Give Back Tahoe registration process announced to nonprofits.
October/November 2026: Give Back Tahoe nonprofit education.
December 2 – December 31, 2026: Give Back Tahoe Giving Season.
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?” “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. In 2025, we provided unrestricted grants without the application and volunteer committee process.
- How do I apply for TTCF community grants in 2026? Please check back in Summer 2026 for an update on our grants process.
- 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.