TTCF’s new consolidated grants process and common application: $370,000 available to grant

Tags: Collaborations

As part of TTCF’s Strategic Plan, we are happy to announce a major shift in the way that we approach our grantmaking. We are committed to finding new ways to strengthen the work of our nonprofits through simplified and improved grantmaking, as well as in the resources we offer that go beyond dollars.

2016 marks our inaugural consolidated grants process which streamlines our funding process. An annual common application will be applied to all of our previous grant cycles, for example open-competitive, Queen of Hearts Women’s Fund, and the Nature Grant Cycle (which includes the matching funds from our partner Martis Fund). The common application will also include registration for the 2016 Give Back Tahoe Giving Guide. This process removes previous redundancies and allows collaboration between existing grant committees in order to better align requests with the optimal possible funding source. Nonprofits will have more time to focus on their missions while still receiving the support of TTCF and their community.

While some of our funding sources still focus on project oriented grants, TTCF intends to support both flexible, unrestricted “mission driven” funding as well as capacity building needs. By connecting multiple funding sources with aligned interests, we also hope to increase average grant size in time, if not immediately.

The common application will give TTCF an annual snapshot to help us learn of our nonprofits’ previous year’s accomplishments, goals for the upcoming year, and highest needs. This will strengthen our relationships with our nonprofits and  serve the broader context of our work which includes technical support through our online giving and volunteer portals, consultations, development and implementation of capacity building materials and workshops, and promoting our local nonprofit partners through storytelling and our own communications.

Phyllis McConn accepted the role of Community Impact Officer in March as part of TTCF’s shift to focus on strengthening the support and collaboration that we envision building with our nonprofits. This is only the beginning of how TTCF intends to deepen the connections and collaborations that we have with our community nonprofits.

The consolidated grant cycle has more than $370,000 to grant and the application process is open August 1 – August 31st. 

To learn more, view the 2016 Grant Guidelines here. In order to ensure that our nonprofits understand all of the changes, TTCF is facilitating information sessions through July. If you are a nonprofit interested in applying, please RSVP to one of the information sessions ASAP.