Tahoe Conservancy Grants

Tahoe Conservancy

Although Lake Tahoe is a world-class outdoor recreation destination, many people face barriers to accessing and enjoying its recreational opportunities. In California and nationwide, outdoor access and its benefits are not equitably available to all communities. Through the TFA Program, the Conservancy aims to increase access to Lake Tahoe and surrounding lands for historically underserved and excluded communities by providing grants for programs and projects that address economic, physical, social, cultural, or other barriers to accessing the Basin.   Eligible projects/programs must show that the applicant will:  Increase access by reducing economic, social, physical, cultural, or other barriers to visiting and experiencing the Basin; Provide or enhance recreational or educational outdoor experiences in the Basin; Implement the program or project within the California side of the Basin (the Conservancy’s Jurisdiction).   The TFA Grant Program is not operated on a rolling basis and has grant application deadlines. Applicants must first submit a Pre-Application (letter of intent) by July 31, 2026, which the Conservancy will review for eligibility and alignment with TFA Program goals. After reviewing Pre-Applications, Conservancy staff will invite applicants to fill out the full application form. Applications are due by September 4, 2026.  Conservancy staff will hold an online Technical Assistance Workshop on July 14, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time to answer questions about the TFA Program and the application process. Register for the workshop by following this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_n7-q81RxT16PbyFLzvPGHg.  Conservancy staff are available to consult with grant applicants prior to, or during, any step in this process. Please refer to the Conservancy website for the full 2026 Funding Announcement, Grant Guidelines, and Tahoe for All Program Description, Pre-Application Form, and application instructions. These guidance documents provide additional information on eligible projects, funding priorities, funding considerations, administrative requirements, and the grant process. For additional questions, please contact Conservancy staff at tahoeforall@tahoe.ca.gov.

Tahoe Conservancy

The California Tahoe Conservancy (Conservancy) leads California's efforts to restore and enhance the extraordinary natural and recreational resources of the Lake Tahoe Basin. The principal goal of the Conservancy's Science and Lake Improvement Account program (SB 630, 2013) is to support near-shore environmental improvement program activities and projects, particularly projects that manage aquatic invasive species or improve public access to sovereign land in Lake Tahoe. More specifically, such projects manage aquatic invasive species, or improve public access to sovereign land in Lake Tahoe, including planning and site improvement or reconstruction projects on public land, and land acquisitions from willing sellers. SB 630 (2013) allocates the Conservancy approximately $350,000 annually. Please contact staff at grants@tahoe.ca.gov for more information.

Tahoe Conservancy

The California Tahoe Conservancy (Conservancy) leads California's efforts to restore and enhance the extraordinary natural and recreational resources of the Lake Tahoe Basin. The principal goal of the Conservancy's Science and Lake Improvement Account program (SB 630, 2013) is to support near-shore environmental improvement program activities and projects, particularly projects that manage aquatic invasive species or improve public access to sovereign land in Lake Tahoe. More specifically, such projects manage aquatic invasive species, or improve public access to sovereign land in Lake Tahoe, including planning and site improvement or reconstruction projects on public land, and land acquisitions from willing sellers. SB 630 (2013) allocates the Conservancy approximately $350,000 annually. Please contact staff at grants@tahoe.ca.gov for more information.

Tahoe Conservancy

The California Tahoe Conservancy (Conservancy) leads California's efforts to restore and enhance the extraordinary natural and recreational resources of the Lake Tahoe Basin. Proposition 68 allocates $27 million directly to the Conservancy for the purposes set forth in its governing statutes and strategic plan, including stewarding Conservancy lands and protecting Basin communities from wildfire; restoring the resilience of Basin forests and watersheds; providing public access and outdoor recreation for all communities; and fostering Basinwide climate adaptation and sustainable communities. This includes advancing the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program. In particular, Proposition 68 encourages the acquisiition of open space and creation of urban greenway corridors, and, to the extent possible, increasing the diversity and inclusion of communities that benefit from the bond funding. The Conservancy allocated $5 million to local assistance grants. Please contact staff at grants@tahoe.ca.gov for more information.

Tahoe Conservancy

The California Tahoe Conservancy (Conservancy) leads California's efforts to restore and enhance the extraordinary natural and recreational resources of the Lake Tahoe Basin (Basin). The Conservancy uses available funding to accomplish its mission and Strategic Plan through grants for land acquisition, planning, implementation, and monitoring on the California side of the Basin. California voters approved Proposition 4 (the Climate Bond), the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clear Air Bond, on November 5, 2024. The measure authorizes $4.1 billion in general obligation bonds to finance a drought, water, parks, climate, coastal protection, and outdoor access for all program. Per Public Resources Code section 91520, subdivision (i), the bond allocates $25.5 million to the Conservancy for watershed improvement, forest health, biomass utilization, chaparral and forest restoration, and workforce development. Per Public Resources Code section 93020, subdivision (a), the bond allocates $29 million to the Conservancy to reduce the risks of climate change impacts upon communities, fish and wildlife, and natural resources, and increase public access. Typically, the Conservancy funds grants on a rolling basis without a request for proposals or due dates, but certain funding sources or programs involve funding announcements or specific requirements. All applicants must complete a pre-application (letter of intent) and receive approval to move on to an application. Conservancy staff are available to consult with grant applicants prior to, or during, any step in this process. Please refer to the Grant Guidelines (https://tahoe.ca.gov/grant-guidelines/) for additional information on eligible activities, funding priorities, funding considerations, grant categories, administrative requirements, and grant process. For additional questions visit the website at https://tahoe.ca.gov/grants/ or contact Conservancy staff at grants@tahoe.ca.gov. Note: At this time the Conservancy has received Proposition 4 (Climate Bond) Wildfire and Forest Resilience early action funding. Prop. 4 Protect Biodiversity and Accelerating Nature-Based Climate Solutions funding is not yet available.