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Tahoe Fund

EIN 01-0974628 · Tahoe City, CA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To use the power of philanthropy to improve the Lake Tahoe environment for all to enjoy.

Income
$5.6 million
Spending
$3.1 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
32.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 87%
Employees
11
Volunteers
41
Highest pay
$266,797, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 32.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 45% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 35% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    23 of 23 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (5)
  1. $834,649 spent. RECREATION: THE TAHOE FUND PROVIDES GRANTS TO CRITICAL ENVIRONMENT IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN LAKE TAHOE THAT WILL CREATE SUSTAINABLE OUTDOOR RECREATION. THE TAHOE FUND PROVIDED FUNDING FOR A NUMBER OF SUSTAINABLE RECREATION PROJECTS AROUND THE BASIN, INCLUDING THE EXTENSION OF THE EAST SHORE TRAIL WITH FUNDING FOR NEW PARKING LOTS ALONG SR28, THE MEEKS RIDGE TRAIL ON THE WEST SHORE OF TAHOE, AND GROOMING OF XC TRAILS WITH NEVADA NORDIC.
  2. $784,031 spent. STEWARDSHIP: THE TAHOE FUND EXECUTES INITIATIVES AND PROVIDES GRANTS TO CRITICAL ENVIRONMENT IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN LAKE TAHOE THAT ENCOURAGE GREATER STEWARDSHIP OF THE TAHOE BASIN. TAHOE FUND AWARDED A NUMBER OF GRANTS TO ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE EXPANDING ACCESS AND INCLUSION IN TAHOE, INCLUDING SOS OUTREACH TO GET UNDERSERVED KIDS OUT SKIING AND RIDING, ACCESSIBLITY IMPROVEMENTS AT WATERMANS LANDING, NEW INTERPRETIVE PANELS AT THE CRYSTAL BAY FIRE LOOKOUT AND MURALS IN FOREST SERVICE PIT TOILETS. THE TAHOE FUND CONTINUED TO FUND THE REGIONAL STEWARDSHIP COLLABORATION CALLED TAKE CARE TAHOE WITH NEW MESSAGES AND BILLBOARDS ON MAJOR HIGHWAYS INTO TAHOE AND WAS A MAJOR FUNDING PARTNER IN THE EXECUTION OF THE NEW DESTINATION STEWARDSHIP PLAN.
  3. $470,664 spent. FOREST HEALTH: THE TAHOE FUND PROVIDES GRANTS TO INCREASE THE PACE AND SCALE OF FOREST RESTORATION IN THE TAHOE BASIN TO PREVENT CATASTROPHIC WILDFIRE. SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDED A NEW MASTICATION MACHINE FOR SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, SPONSORSHIP OF THE CA GOVERNORS WILDFIRE TASK FORCE CONVENING, AND SCHOLARSHIPS FOR FORESTY STUDENTS AT LAKE TAHOE COMMUNITY COLLEGE.
  4. $250,690 spent. CONSERVATION: THE TAHOE FUND PROVIDES GRANTS TO CRITICAL ENVIRONMENT IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN LAKE TAHOE THAT WILL HELP TO RESTORE LAKE CLARITY. THE TAHOE FUND GRANTED MONEY TO ROVING AIS INSPECTORS TO HELP PREVENT THE SPREAD OF AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES, AND THE KAHLE COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT THAT WILL REDUCE RUN-OFF INTO THE LAKE.
  5. $89,157 spent. OUTREACH: THE TAHOE FUND, ON ITS OWN AND IN COLLABORATION WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, RAISES AWARENESS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL NEEDS OF LAKE TAHOE AND THE BASIN. THE TAHOE FUND ACTIVELY PARTICIPATES IN THE LAKE TAHOE PARTNERSHIP, A COLLABORATION OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE GROUPS IN THE BASIN THAT ARE ALL FOCUSED ON PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS. IN ADDITION, THE TAHOE FUND IS A MEMBER OF THE CALIFORNIA TAHOE ALLIANCE THAT IS DEDICATED TO LOBBYING FOR FUNDING FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM. THROUGH THESE EFFORTS THE TAHOE FUND MET WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS IN CALIFORNIA, NEVADA AND FEDERALLY TO EDUCATE ON THE NEED FOR MORE PUBLIC SUPPORT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS. THE TAHOE FUND SPONSORED AND ORGANIZED THE 2024 LAKE TAHOE SUMMIT, A DISCUSSION OF THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING AND RESTORING LAKE TAHOE. THE SUMMIT WAS ATTENDED BY THE SENATORS AND CONGRESSMEN OF CALIFORNIA AND NEVADA, THE NEVADA GOVERNOR AND THE US SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION. IT WAS ALSO LIVESTREAMED TO AN AUDIENCE OF MORE THAN 1000 ONLINE. THE TAHOE FUND ALSO HELPS PROMOTE LAKE TAHOE LICENSE PLATES. THE PLATES PROGRAM SUPPORTS HIKING AND BIKING TRAILS AND WATERSHED RESTORATION THROUGH TAHOE'S PUBLIC ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCIES, THE CALIFORNIA TAHOE CONSERVANCY AND THE NEVADA DIVISION OF STATE LANDS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending March 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since November 2010.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.