Long before the pandemic hit, it was clear philanthropy needed an overhaul. But the health and economic crisis, combined with a national racial reckoning, forced grant makers’ hands. Foundations largely rose to the challenge by speeding up their grant making, increasing flexibility, and reducing funding restrictions.But now it appears those changes may be short lived. In the most recent of its Foundations Respond to Crisis reports, the Center for Effective Philanthropy found that “most foundations do not plan to undertake these new practices in the future to the degree they are doing so now.”

With a willingness to make a difference, Placer County prioritized helping its small businesses  and nonprofits make it through the pandemic. Through sharing emergency federal funding and partnering with nonprofit and private sectors, Placer was able to respond quickly to emerging needs.

The work this past year by the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation took center stage during this week’s Good Morning Truckee session. Since the outbreak of COVID-19 the foundation has overseen the distribution of roughly $5.6 million in funding during a record-breaking year, while also handing out more than 500,000 meals to those in need within the community.

“We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.” — Winston Churchill

That advice from Sir Winston really hits the mark. We work hard to be successful. Our careers become our focus, but one thing I have learned is that in the end what really matters is relationships and family. What you do for others. And health.

Today marks the start of the second of a three-week shelter-in-place order issued by California Gov. Gavin Newsom. North Lake Tahoe businesses — particularly restaurants, retail shops and gyms — must endure the financial fallout of COVID-19’s second surge. Kristin York, vice president of business innovation at the Sierra Small Business Development Center for the Sierra Business Council, said her organization helps federal, state and local governments administer small business loans and grants.

From raising funds to adopting more than a dozen puppies, organizations and individuals were in the giving spirit on Tuesday, taking part in the global event geared toward generosity.

Stacy Caldwell, CEO of the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation, only needs to look out her back window to see the ecological challenge she hopes her institution can help solve.

The nonprofit Tahoe Regional Arts Foundation has submitted an application to develop a 22-acre parcel of land near the entrance to Northstar California Resort as The Stages at Northstar, a world-class visual and performing arts center for the community. The Tahoe Regional Arts Foundation has already reached a sublease agreement with Vail Resorts for development and use of the property for up to 80 years. The North Tahoe-Truckee region is home to more than 15 educational institutions and 30 arts-based organizations that historically have not had access to a venue where the community and visitors can see the arts flourish.

The Placer County Board of Supervisors recently approved $8 million in CARES Act relief funds to support local small businesses and nonprofits during the COVID-19 pandemic. The board of supervisors approached three local organizations — Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation, Placer Community Foundation, and Sierra Business Council — to establish criteria to distribute funds into the communities throughout the region.

It wasn’t long into 2020 that life changed irreversibly. While some coped with working from home, being out of work altogether, or finding themselves having to homeschool their kids, another group was also forced to weather this uncertain time in new way: the high school senior class of 2020. But in Tahoe Truckee Unified School District it was, unexpectedly, a piece of software that shed light at the end of the tunnel for seniors this year.

The donation made by Katz and Elana Amsterdam increase TTCF's Emergency Response Fund from $125,000 to $225,000.

Stacy Caldwell, TTCF CEO, and Veronica Blake, CEO of Placer Community Foundation, are interviewed by Kitty O'Neal about the Covid-19 response.

Katz will donate $1.5 million in immediate emergency relief grants that will benefit more than a dozen local organizations providing critical services in Lake Tahoe, Calif. and other mountain communities.

TTCF and Placer Community Foundation respond to COVID-19. TTCF accepts community donations to aid nonprofits through grants.

Rob Katz and Elana Amsterdam commit to their mountain resort communities, including Tahoe Truckee.

Placer County votes to participate in the Mountain Housing Council for another three years of work. It will allocate $55,000/year towards achievable local housing.

Two $10,000 grants from the Martis Camp Community Foundation and TTCF seed a capital campaign for the new Truckee library.

At a standing-room-only town hall meeting in January at Sierra Nevada College in Incline Village, Nev., residents voiced passionate opinions on a question that has chafed the Lake Tahoe area for decades: What's the best way to house the hordes of vacationers who descend on the lake year-round?