Tahoe for All Grants

Youth in the forest and on Lake Tahoe

Tahoe for All supports programs and projects that provide positive and inclusive outdoor experiences for communities that face barriers to accessing outdoor recreation opportunities and infrastructure in the Lake Tahoe Basin.  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 Tahoe for All, the California Tahoe Conservancy seeks to increase access to Lake Tahoe and surrounding forests for historically underserved and excluded people and communities by providing grants for programs and projects that address economic, physical, social, cultural, or other barriers to accessing the Basin. 

Tahoe for All grants align with the Conservancy’s Strategic Plan goal of Providing Recreational Opportunities and Access for All and the Conservancy’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in its work. To learn more about Tahoe for All and how to apply, read through the funding announcement and program description below.  

Applying for a Grant

Before applying for a grant, please read the 2025 Funding Announcement and the Draft Tahoe for All Program Description. Applying for funding involves a two-step process.

  • Step 1: Submit a short pre-application. After reviewing your pre-application, the Conservancy may ask you to provide more information at the pre-application stage. If the Conservancy determines the applicant is eligible, the project supports the Conservancy’s strategic plan, and Conservancy funding is available for the project, the Conservancy will invite applicants to submit a full application.
  • Step 2: Submit a full application.

See below for all grant guidance documents and the application form. Conservancy employees are available to consult with grant applicants prior to, or during, any step in this process. Send questions to tahoeforall@tahoe.ca.gov.

Funding Availability (2025)

The Conservancy has up to $400,000 of grant funding available for public agencies, federally recognized Native American Tribes, and eligible nonprofit organizations. Read the funding announcement

Application Dates 

Program Milestones and DeadlinesTiming
2025 Funding Announcement Release Date September 17, 2025
Technical Assistance Workshop (view the presentation slides)October 6, 2025 (2:00 pm)
Pre-Application DeadlineOctober 30, 2025 (11:59 p.m.)
Pre-Application Review Period October 31– November 15, 2025
Application Deadline December 19, 2025 (11:59 p.m.)
Application ReviewDecember 22, 2025 – January 16, 2026

Recommended Project Selection Deadline
January 31, 2026
Conservancy Board Consideration of Recommended Awards (tentative)March 2026 (date TBD)
Project Start DateUpon execution of the Grant Agreement (early June 2026 or sooner)

Application Guidance and Documents

2019 Grant Guidelines

Please review the grant guidelines before submitting a pre-application. (Note: The Conservancy is updating its Grant Guidelines. Applicants should use the 2019 guidelines until the Conservancy releases the new guidelines in late 2025 or early 2026.)

Grant Pre-Application

Applicants fill out and submit the Conservancy’s pre-application form. This initial step allows the applicant and Conservancy to understand the project and work through any potential issues, such as applicant/project eligibility or funding availability, prior to applicants preparing a full application.

Grant Application (Word Document)

After receiving pre-application approval from Conservancy staff, applicants must complete a full application and submit it to the Conservancy along with any attachments or support letters. The application package includes additional directions on how to complete a full application. In most cases, Conservancy staff can work directly with applicants to revise and improve applications, if necessary.

2025 Funding Announcement

Draft Tahoe for All Program Description 

Presentation Slides from October 6, 2025 Technical Assistance Webinar [PDF]

Previous Awards

Contact Information

For questions regarding Tahoe for All program grants, please email tahoeforall@tahoe.ca.gov. (For questions about other Conservancy grants, please email grants@tahoe.ca.gov).