TRUCKEE, Calif. – The Community Collaborative of Tahoe Truckee (CCTT), a program of Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation, is requesting those living in North Tahoe – Truckee to participate in a confidential survey. The survey will measure quality of life, community engagement, and behavioral health needs. Your anonymous participation will help local organizations develop programs to better address the health needs of your neighbors, colleagues, families, and loved ones. The survey is open from November 13, 2025, to February 7, 2026. Past surveys have led to: increased access to mental health programs and providers; community campaigns to reduce stigma around mental health and seeking help; substance use and abuse prevention, intervention, and treatment in youth and adults; and a significant increase in awareness of available mental health resources. To participate, visit http://www.prcsurvey.com/begin/NorthTahoe2026.

TRUCKEE, Calif. — Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation (TTCF) is evolving its community grantmaking. The 2025 Trust-Based Community Grantmaking awarded $485,000 in unrestricted grants to 60 local nonprofits. TTCF removed the competitive application process this year to reduce the administrative burden on nonprofits and reinforce its commitment to responsive, equitable philanthropy. Joining this process, TTCF’s longtime funding partner, the Martis Fund, awarded additional Nature Fund-specific grants to fund a total of $100,000. “As we’re in this moment and working through as much as we all are, I wanted to say thank you. Thank you for leaning into your partnerships and the community. Stepping forward as you are in the direction of strength-based philanthropy is a breath of fresh air and wind in our sails as we navigate through all that is coming at us. Thank you. I’m grateful to be standing with you for our kids, our families, and our community,” Seth Ehrlich, Chief Executive Officer, SOS Outreach.

For Immediate Release 10/08/2025 Truckee, CA — Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation (TTCF) is evolving its community grantmaking. The 2025 Trust-Based Community Grantmaking awarded $485,000 in unrestricted grants to 60 local nonprofits. TTCF removed the competitive application process this year to reduce the administrative burden on nonprofits and reinforce its commitment to responsive, equitable philanthropy. Joining this process, TTCF’s longtime funding partner, the Martis Fund, awarded additional Nature Fund-specific grants to fund a total of $100,000. “As we're in this moment and working through as much as we all are, I wanted to say thank you. Thank you for leaning into your partnerships and the community. Stepping forward as you are in the direction of strength-based philanthropy is a breath of fresh air and wind in our sails as we navigate through all that is coming at us. Thank you. I'm grateful to be standing with you for our kids, our families, and our community,” Seth Ehrlich, Chief Executive Officer, SOS Outreach. Guided by extensive nonprofit input through conversations, focus groups, and collaborative work this year, TTCF heard clearly: competitive cycles can drain capacity and limit flexibility. This is especially true with uncertainty around government regulations and funding that programs have relied on for years. In response, TTCF provided unrestricted grants that nonprofits can use where they are needed most to benefit Tahoe-Truckee. TTCF’s rigorous due diligence included analyzing years of qualitative and quantitative data to ensure equitable and effective funding. “Our community and our world are changing rapidly,” said Stacy Caldwell, CEO of TTCF. “This evolution in grantmaking is about building long-term resilience for nonprofits so they can focus on impact, not paperwork.” TTCF and funders across the US saw success in responding to the COVID-19 crisis by distributing grants without a traditional application. In 2024, Caldwell joined the Institute for the Future’s Foresight Essentials for Philanthropy three-day workshop, which challenged leaders to reimagine philanthropic tools for a changing world. Caldwell asked, "How do we remove the competitive nature from grantmaking?" The TTCF team dove into the work she started. “The impact of trust-based, responsive grantmaking during COVID-19 showed us that flexibility can be the difference between an organization closing its doors or remaining a vital part of the community fabric,” said Phyllis McConn, Community Impact Officer, who leads TTCF’s grantmaking and scholarships. Since 1998, TTCF has awarded $48 million in grants and scholarships, fueling critical community priorities. Looking ahead, TTCF will expand this evolution in 2026, integrating the lessons of this transitional year and deepening its role as a thought leader in resilient, long-term philanthropy.

### Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation (TTCF) brings together trusted partners to align strategies and inspire philanthropy to nurture a resilient community and environment. Learn more at www.ttcf.net. The Martis Fund is a collaborative project of Martis Camp landowners, DMB/Highlands Group (the developers of Martis Camp), Mountain Area Preservation Foundation (MAP), and Sierra Watch.

TRUCKEE, Calif. — The Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation (TTCF), an organization dedicated to building a resilient community and environment, has awarded $520,100 in Workforce Scholarships to 27 local students pursuing in-demand careers that serve the Tahoe-Truckee region. The Workforce Scholarships support advanced education and certifications in fields such as education, vocational and technical trades, aviation, and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). TTCF says the awards address an urgent need for skilled professionals in a community where the cost of living is 73% higher than the U.S. average and housing affordability remains a persistent challenge. Seventeen of the recipients are first-generation college students and the average award was $19,263 per student. For recipient Natalie Diaz, TTFC’s $25,000 award meant more than just tuition assistance. It represented a way to stay in Tahoe and work toward solving the housing crisis. Diaz, who recently earned an associate degree in construction management at Sierra College, plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering with a minor in construction management. “I know what that struggle feels like, and I want to be part of the solution,” Diaz told TTCF. “Professionally, it’s about building a career where my work directly improves people’s lives and strengthens the community.” Diaz hopes to design and build affordable housing solutions that will allow working families to live and thrive in Tahoe for generations to come.   For Denisse Vega Zarate, a former and now current TTCF scholarship recipient, education has always meant more than personal achievement, it is a calling rooted in her own journey and the stories of others. In 2018, Vega Zarate received TTFC’s Jackson Ferree Scholarship. Unlike many awards based on grades or accolades, this $20,000 scholarship recognizes qualities such as kindness, independence and generosity of spirit. For Vega Zarate, it provided not only the chance to pursue her undergraduate degree but also the affirmation that compassion and authenticity are as worthy of recognition. After graduating, Vega Zarate returned to North Tahoe-Truckee, where she now serves as housing coordinator at Sierra Community House. When she began considering graduate school, Vega Zarate set her sights high: Harvard University. As an immigrant from Paredones, Mexico, and the first in her family to attend college, the financial reality of that dream once felt out of reach. A few weeks ago, she received $60,000 in support, $50,000 from TTCF’s Workforce Scholarship fund and $10,000 from the S.H.E. Foundation, making Harvard possible. “In five years, I see myself conducting education research and, through my work, influencing change in education policy,” Vega Zarate told TTCF. “I am especially interested in the intersection of migration and education, and I want my work to create more pathways for immigrant students to succeed academically.” This fall, Vega Zarate will begin her Harvard journey, diving into research on how immigrant students navigate the U.S. education system. This fall, Vega Zarate will begin her Harvard journey, diving into research on how immigrant students navigate the U.S. education system. Since 2022, TTCF has partnered with a growing number of local donors, foundations, and businesses to meet regional workforce needs. In 2025, recipients received funding through the following scholarships: Al and Josie Noyes Workforce Medical Scholarship – Assists future healthcare professionals committed to serving the Tahoe-Truckee community. Al and Josie Noyes Workforce Vocational Scholarship – Supports students preparing for skilled vocational careers in the medical field. Anna Jane Ellis Scholarship – For students transferring from a two-year to a four-year degree, honoring Dr. Ellis’s career in higher education and commitment to mentorship. Martis Camp Foundation Workforce Scholarships – Funds education in vocational and career technical trades to prepare students for high-demand, sustainable careers. S.H.E. Foundation Workforce Scholarships – Supports students in education and teaching fields that advance leadership, fairness, and opportunity. Steve Shippy Vocational Scholarship – Awarded to students pursuing training in high-demand vocational trades serving the local community. TDPUD Annual Utility Operations Workforce Scholarship Lineman Award – Supports students pursuing trade and vocational skills to maintain reliable electric and water utilities. TTAD Aviation/STEM Career Path Scholarship – Funds training and education for careers in aviation and STEM-related industries. TTCF Workforce Scholarships – Awarded to students preparing for roles essential to meeting the region’s most pressing workforce needs.

TRUCKEE, Calif. — The Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation (TTCF) 2025 Workforce Scholarship program awarded $520,100 to 40 local students pursuing in-demand careers that benefit the Tahoe-Truckee region. Seventeen recipients are first-generation college students, and the average total award per student was $19,263. Workforce Scholarships support advanced education or certification in fields such as education, vocational and technical trades, aviation, and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). These awards help address the urgent need for skilled professionals in a community where the cost of living is 73% higher than the U.S. average and housing affordability remains a challenge. Since 2022, TTCF has partnered with a growing number of local donors, foundations, and businesses to address regional workforce needs. In 2025, recipients benefited from support from the following scholarships:

• Al and Josie Noyes Workforce Medical Scholarship – Assisting future healthcare professionals committed to serving the Tahoe-Truckee community.
• Al and Josie Noyes Workforce Vocational Scholarship – Supporting students preparing for skilled vocational careers that meet local workforce needs.
• Anna Jane Ellis Scholarship – For students transferring from a two-year to a four-year degree, honoring Dr. Ellis’s career in higher education and commitment to mentorship.
• Martis Camp Foundation Workforce Scholarships – Funding education in vocational and career technical trades to prepare students for sustainable, high-demand careers.
• S.H.E. Foundation Workforce Scholarships – Supporting students in fields that advance leadership, fairness, and opportunity in the workforce.
• Steve Shippy Vocational Scholarship – Awarded to students pursuing training in high-demand vocational trades that directly serve the community.
• TDPUD Annual Utility Operations Workforce Scholarship Lineman Award – Supporting students pursuing trade and vocational skills that keep electric and water utilities operating reliably.
• TTAD Aviation/STEM Career Path Scholarship – Funding training and education for careers in aviation and STEM-related industries.
• TTCF Workforce Scholarships – Awarded to students preparing for roles identified as essential to meeting the region’s most pressing workforce needs.

Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation (TTCF) brings together trusted partners to align strategies and inspire philanthropy to nurture a resilient community and environment. For more than 25 years, TTCF has served North Tahoe-Truckee by aligning its work with community priorities. Through grantmaking, scholarships, donor-advised funds, impact investments, and strategic initiatives, TTCF leverages relationships and resources to benefit the people and places of our region. Learn more at http://www.ttcf.net.

(Truckee, CA — August 12th, 2025) Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation (TTCF) hosted the California Secretary of Business, Consumer Services and Housing, Tomiquia Moss for a two-day visit highlighting how forest stewardship and innovative housing solutions intersect in rural, forested communities. Organized in partnership with the League of California Community Foundations, the visit highlighted scalable, place-based solutions addressing California’s dual housing and forest health crises. Secretary Moss was joined by Deputy Secretary of External Affairs Annie Carney and Deputy Secretary of Housing Sasha Kergan. “For so long, State leaders have recognized the significant impact that stable, safe housing can have on other spheres of life, including the workforce, health indicators, and local economies. It’s true that it goes the other way as well. The forest-to-housing solutions you’ve presented today and worked on here in Tahoe Truckee over the last decade can benefit other forest communities, they can be replicated,” said Secretary Tomiquia Moss. The visit included housing development tours as well as:

• A Mountain Housing Council Legacy Partner Meeting featuring regional housing needs data and the collective impact of partners at Nevada County, Placer County, Tahoe Housing Hub, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA), Town of Truckee, and Truckee Tahoe Workforce Housing Agency;
• TTCF Forest Futures Grantee Showcase with forest-to-housing solutions including taking our forests’ hazardous woody biomass out of the forest and transforming it into energy or fire-resistant building materials like Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) as well as connecting wildfire insurance to forest management practices. Speakers represented Alpenglow Timber, Northstar Community Services District, Sierra Institute for Communities and Environment, Tahoe Donner Homeowners Association, Truckee Fire Department, and United States Forest Service.

Secretary Moss’s visit affirmed the vital role of local leadership in shaping sustainable, equitable housing solutions that respond to a broad spectrum of regional and statewide issues.

On Friday’s Lunch and Learn hosted by the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation (TTCF), mountain town representatives from Colorado, Idaho and Wyoming spoke about their successes and lessons in housing. The three speakers were Jason Dietz, director of housing for the town of Vail, Colorado; April Norton, director of Jackson and Teton County’s affordable housing department in Wyoming; and Carissa Connelly, housing director for city of Ketchum and Blain County Housing Authority in Idaho. Each of the speakers acknowledged how mountain town living and housing differs from most places, and the unique challenges faced by tourism impacts, weather and construction.

Stacy Caldwell is CEO of the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation (TTCF), a place-rooted organization working to strengthen communities in California’s North Tahoe-Truckee region. Focusing on housing, mental health, and regional resilience, TTCF brings together public, private, and philanthropic partners to take on big, long-term challenges. As part of the Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group (Aspen CSG)’s Rural Development Hubs peer learning cohort, Stacy has been helping to shape and define what it means to be a Hub — and what it takes to build a more equitable and prosperous rural future.We sat down with Stacy to talk about her journey, what makes the Hub model work, and what keeps her motivated in this challenging and rewarding work.

TRUCKEE-TAHOE, Calif. — Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation (TTCF) and Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) have launched a new regional housing survey as part of an updated assessment of housing needs in the greater Lake Tahoe Region This region encapsulates the Lake Tahoe Basin, plus the Tahoe-Truckee Unified School District boundary, which includes parts of Eastern Placer and Nevada Counties, including the Town of Truckee. Partners request survey responses from those who live and work in the region, including local residents, seasonal workers, in-commuters, and individuals experiencing homelessness. The data results will highlight regional demands for housing that may include units that are more affordable, of better quality, closer to work, or less crowded. “The analysis also breaks down housing needs by factors such as location, unit size, and income level, giving a clearer picture of the specific needs within different areas of the region,” said Kristina Kind, Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation Program Director. “By comparing these results to those from the 2016, 2021, and 2023 assessments, our organizations can better understand how housing needs have changed over time and which groups are most affected.” Previous regional housing assessments have led to the establishment of the Mountain Housing Council, informed the development of white papers and policy recommendations on local and State levels, and informed the launch of fifteen regional housing programs. The survey only takes a few minutes. The deadline has been extended through June 30, 2025.  The survey is open now in both English and Spanish for anyone who lives and/or works in the region through the link below: This is the first time the Regional Housing Needs Assessment will include all of Truckee, North Tahoe, and the entire Lake Tahoe Basin. TTCF will provide the analysis for the area within the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District (TTUSD) boundaries to inform the work of regional achievable housing collaborative partners. TRPA will update housing need information for all communities of the Lake Tahoe Region and help inform the Cultivating Community, Conserving the Basin project. Responses will remain anonymous and general results will be shared with housing partners and made available on TTCF’s website at ttcf.net and the TRPA website at trpa.gov/housing.

In the Tahoe Truckee region, it’s not always easy for young people to build a life and career close to home. An effort, now in its third year, is aiming to make it easier.

In their latest Lunch and Learn, the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation (TTCF) invited three speakers to talk about wildfire risk mitigation for homes in the region. They touched on what homeowners could do to protect their homes, how cross-laminated timber could potentially help new builds resist fire, and communicating with insurance companies that keep raising prices in fire-prone areas.

What exactly is "affordable housing"?

TRUCKEE, Calif. – The Truckee Chamber of Commerce announced the 2025 Core Values Fund Grant Recipients. This community event fund, established in collaboration with the Town of Truckee and administered by the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation, is designed to support local nonprofits in the region or events that partner with non-profit organizations by providing essential marketing resources.

TRUCKEE, Calif. – The Community Collaborative of Tahoe Truckee (CCTT), a program of the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation (TTCF), recently honored three exceptional individuals with their annual awards:

• The Chris Ballin Award honors contributions to cultural competency, equality, and social justice in our community
• The Public Service Award of Excellence recognizes an individual who goes above and beyond in serving the community
• The Partner of the Year Award recognizes an advocate of underserved communities and a champion of collaboration and equity

“This year’s awardees are individuals who have been making a significant impact in the community for a long time, often flying under the radar. It’s an honor to acknowledge their contributions in front of their peers and celebrate their hard work and achievements,” said CCTT Program Director Kristina Kind.

TRUCKEE, Calif – On Friday, Nov. 8, the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation hosted a community discussion titled “Achievable Housing for All: For Now and the Future,” focusing on the housing needs of older adults in the Truckee area. The discussion, part of the Foundation’s ongoing speaker series, shed light on the challenges seniors face as they look to age in place and continue living independently in the region. The discussion was particularly timely, as recent community conversations have reinforced the growing concerns about the availability of housing options and services for aging residents. As a community foundation, the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation prioritizes initiatives that address the needs and well-being of local residents, and this month’s focus on aging in place aligns with those values. The Foundation regularly hosts these monthly forums to hear from specialists and experts on pressing issues affecting the region.

KINGS BEACH, Calif. – The Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation (TTCF) brought back their Housing Lunch and Learns earlier this month and kicked it off with experts Erin Casey and Thomas J. Powell as guest speakers. The session, called “Unlocking Potential: Recent ADU Research and Its Impact on Policy and Development” addressed accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as a potential solution for the housing shortages in North Shore and Truckee.

TRUCKEE, Calif. – Last week, the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation (TTCF) awarded a $1 million grant to the Sierra Institute for Community and Environment—the biggest grant that TTCF has directed in its history. The money will go towards the Sierra Institute’s Mosaic Timber operation to help thin the area’s overcrowded forests, create a forest economy, and offer a new building material called Cross-Laminated Timber.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – The Wá∙šiw (Washoe) are a sovereign tribal nation who are the original inhabitants of DáɁaw Ɂága (Lake Tahoe) and its surrounding areas. Lake Tahoe is the Tribe’s most sacred place, and they consider it a living entity that needs to be honored and protected. Now, The Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California, a formally recognized tribal government, has secured the funding it needs to establish a full-time Community Liaison. This liaison will represent its voice at community meetings and decision-making tables for the next three years.