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Current Funding Opportunities
Click on each tab to view each cycle and access the application. Be sure to watch Grant Writing 101 below for tips, tricks, & best practices for successful grant writing!
Women’s Fund El Dorado 2025 Grant application supports the Inspiration, Acorn, and Impact Grants. Nonprofits SERVING the residents and communities of the Western Slope of El Dorado County are eligible to apply. Nonprofits must have an established office in El Dorado County. See FAQs on WFED website for more information. Grant Applications will be due before 11:59 pm Thursday, January, 30, 2025.
TWCF 2025 grant application window will be from Feb. 7- March 6, 2025.
The Tahoe Women’s Community Fund is proud to announce that this is our TENTH year of giving back to local nonprofits. We have $110,000 to give back thanks to our amazing members and sponsors. The 2025 TWCF grant application may be completed by nonprofits who work directly to improve the community on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe. This application is for both the Focus and Impact Grants and each nonprofit must choose only one category to apply in. Each category represents a different area of need, and non-profits are invited to self-select the category their project/program best fits into. Nonprofits serving the South Shore of Lake Tahoe (both CA and NV sides) are eligible to apply so long as the projects/programs proposed in the application DIRECTLY serve the South Shore of Lake Tahoe.
2025 TWCF Members will be voting on all eligible grant applications. The grants with the most votes in each area will receive the funding. Recipients will be notified in April after voting by TWCF members has occurred. Grant recipients are expected to attend our Grants Gala on May 21 (5-8:30pm) to accept their grant funds.
This grant application window will be from April 7th – May 1st.
The Endow El Dorado Grant application is an EDCF competitive grant process. This grant is open to all nonprofits serving the residents and communities of El Dorado County, and organizations can apply for up to $5,000 for capacity building and project/program ideas. This grant will be supplemented by many EDCF Donor Advised Funds!
This grant application window will be from April 7th – May 1st.
Friends of Seniors, a fund of the El Dorado Community Foundation, will be awarding a total of up to $15,000 in grants to El Dorado County nonprofits that support the wellness, life enrichment, dignity and independence of Seniors (60+) residing on the WESTERN slope of El Dorado County.
This grant application window will be from April 7th – May 1st.
The GIVE Tahoe Grant Application Process supports nonprofits who work for and within the South Lake Tahoe Area. The GIVE Tahoe Grant is open to all nonprofits, agencies and schools serving the residents and communities of South Lake Tahoe. Proposals of up to $5,000 will be considered. This grant does not have a specific focus allowing the opportunity to respond to our most important needs.
This grant application window will be from April 7th – May 1st.
Hearts & Minds Educational Technology Fund’s mission is “to provide students in El Dorado County with technology and tools necessary for success in the 21st century with an emphasis on vocational education and hands on experiences for youth on the Western Slope.” Grant requests up to $2500 will be accepted, and funding for recipients will be available immediately upon receipt of a signed Funding Agreement (mid- to end- of May). Grant funds must be expended by May 31, 2026.
This grant application window will be from April 7th – May 1st.
The Veterans grant program is funded by El Dorado County to support operations, programs, or property improvements/repairs that support the veteran community at large. Grants are available in amounts up to $10,000 and funding will be available no later than August 2025. Applications are reviewed and grants awarded by the County of El Dorado Veterans’ Affairs Commission. This is an annual grant!
Current Letter of Inquiry Funding Opportunities
In our constant effort to “Amplify Good”, the El Dorado Community Foundation is proud to present new funding opportunities to nonprofits through a letter of inquiry process for two of our amazing funds: Pay It Forward Project and Sierra Nevada Foundation. Please see the details below on the requirements for the requested LOI’s. All compliant nonprofit organizations who have projects in the areas of need described by the individual funds are welcomed and encouraged to submit a Letter of Inquiry for funding.
Click on each tab to view each LOI Request.
LOIs will be accepted from April 7th – June 1st.
The Pay It Forward Project Fund (a fund of the El Dorado Community Foundation) is asking for letters of inquiries (LOI) from non-profits doing environmental projects in the Lake Tahoe and Carson Valley areas. Pay It Forward Project Fund is looking to support community volunteer projects that assist in improving our environment and cleaning up our communities as needed. The requests should center on volunteerism, giving back to the community, & respecting our environment.
LOIs will be accepted from April 7th – June 1st.
The Sierra Nevada Foundation (a fund of the El Dorado Community Foundation) is asking for letters of inquiries (LOI) for funding from non-profits in good standing that are working on protection, preservation and restoration projects within the Sierra Nevada Conservancy Map.
Grants to Organizations
The El Dorado Community Foundation facilitates many competitive grant cycles throughout the year. When funding is available from any of these funds, the Foundation distributes a Request for Proposal (RFP) detailing the funding focus and application deadline.
Nonprofit organizations are welcome to apply for grants so long as:
- The non-profit is in good standing with the IRS, SOS, and DOJ (AG)
- The organization qualifies for the grant cycles. Please read all requirements carefully!
- The non-profits directly serve the communities of El Dorado County and surrounding areas (please read specifics with each grant being offered)
You can check the status of your nonprofit organization to ensure that you are in compliance with each agency by using the links below:
1) IRS database shows IRS filings for the past year(s).
2) CA Secretary of State website will show “active and up-to-date” when in compliance.
3) CA Department of Justice website to verify registration is current.
If your entity is not based out of California, please submit comparable paperwork/screenshot for the state your entity is registered in.
THESE ARE REQUIRED unless your organization is a faith-based organization, a government entity, or a Native American Tribe recognized by the federal government.
Eligibility
The Foundation seeks proposals from non-profits, schools, county agencies and religious organizations, as well as other groups conducting charitable work who respond to the focus and goals outlined in each Request for Proposal. Grants are made which benefit the communities of El Dorado County and surrounding areas. Funding may be given to organizations with offices outside of El Dorado County for services or programs for the communities of El Dorado County and surrounding areas.
The Foundation will not make competitive grants for:
- Debt reduction
- Fundraising events
- Religious activities
- Political campaigns
Nonprofit Organizations serving El Dorado County, sign up here to receive notification of future Requests for Proposal
Application Review
Proposal review committees are comprised of community members and representative of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Each committee evaluates every application seeking opportunity to make effective use of the community’s donations by placing a high priority on applications that successfully address the following topics:
- Capacity of the Organization – how well do the organization’s board, volunteers and staff demonstrate the skills, experience, and commitment to carry out the proposed project?
- Organization Mission and Funding Focus – to what extent does the project relate to both the organization’s core mission and the grant fund’s focus?
- Need for Project – is the grant addressing a relevant need in El Dorado County, has the need been demonstrated and is the organization qualified to meet the need?
- Objectives and Methods – does this project have clear and measurable goals that will result in a meaningful improvement to our community?
- Budget and Project Sustainability – is the project budget realistic and will the project be sustainable after an investment from the Foundation?
Committee recommendations are ratified by the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Successful applicants are required to submit narrative reports that explain the outcomes of the funded grants.
