Aligning Regional Philanthropy: Regional Funders Join Forces for the 2026 Regional Community Grant Cycle

Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation, Martis Camp Foundation, Martis Fund, and Tahoe Donner Giving Fund align to benefit Tahoe Truckee.

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 In a small community of roughly 40,000 full-time residents, small and mighty nonprofit organizations are vital players in serving the complex and dynamic needs of our community and precious environment. Local funders are creating a more efficient way to apply for and receive grants, so they can focus more time on their missions. 

A growing group of grantmakers has come together to align on regional coordination and efficiencies for nonprofit organizations. Building upon longstanding partnerships with Martis Fund and Tahoe Donner Giving Fund, Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation (TTCF) has set the table to invite others to participate. This year, Martis Camp Foundation has announced it will join the collective and use the common application for its community grant cycle. This groundbreaking collaboration seeks to simplify the grant-seeking burden on nonprofits and create opportunities to learn together. Collectively, the funders anticipate distributing more than $2 million in combined grantmaking through the 2026 Regional Grantmaking Cycle. 

“We are striving to simplify things for our mission-focused organizations. TTCF’s Board of Directors and team are pleased to have our long-time partners, Martis Fund and Tahoe Donner Giving Fund, recommit and are truly excited to welcome Martis Camp Foundation to join our efforts. The Common Application provides an annual snapshot of community needs and the health of our nonprofit sector. The table is set for other co-funders to engage!” - Stacy Caldwell, CEO Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation 

From August 1–31, 2026, eligible nonprofits serving North Lake Tahoe-Truckee can submit a single online Common Application to be considered by all four funders. For years, nonprofits have faced the burdensome task of responding to multiple, similarly structured requests for proposals to access grant funding. The Regional Community Grant Cycle directly addresses this challenge: one application, one timeline, one point of contact, evaluated by a coordinated group of funders who have built trust-based relationships with nonprofits and with each other over many years. The co-funders encourage nonprofits to share the full scope of their gaps and opportunities. This honest feedback provides insight into regional community priorities, informing grantmaking strategies and capacity-building opportunities. 

“We are excited to join this regional effort alongside funding partners to support the nonprofits serving Truckee–North Tahoe and strengthen the collective impact of our grantmaking,” said Morgan Steel, Executive Director, Martis Camp Foundation. 

Each co-funder retains full discretion over its own funding priorities, criteria, and final decisions; TTCF facilitates the shared application, due diligence, and committee process on their behalf. 

“We are thrilled to continue our mission-driven commitment to nonprofits of this region,” said Alexis Ollar, Martis Fund President 

The following grant types will be considered: 

• Program/Project Grants — hard costs or staffing costs to support, launch, expand, or advance the measurable impact of specific projects or programs. 

• Capacity Building Grants — funding for strategic planning, board development and governance, marketing/communications, fundraising, financial reporting, evaluation, and more. 

• Mission-Driven Grants — unrestricted, trust-based funding awarded to further a nonprofit's mission.

Grant guidelines are available at www.ttcf.net/grantmaking-guidelines/. The online application process is open August 1 - August 31, 2026. 

“We are looking forward to contributing to this regional effort through our partnership with TTCF for community grant making to support and strengthen the work of our local nonprofit organizations,” said Annie Rosenfeld, General Manager, Tahoe Donner Association. 

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