Truckee River Fund Grant

The Truckee River Fund Grant, managed by the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada, offers funding to projects enhancing water quality in the Truckee River watershed. With an annual budget of up to $800,000, the fund prioritizes initiatives that tackle aquatic invasive species, improve watershed conditions, and support local stormwater management. Applicants must demonstrate measurable impact and provide a minimum 25% matching contribution. Notably, land acquisition projects are excluded from funding consideration.

Background
The Community Foundation of Northern Nevada is accepting proposals for grants from the Truckee River Fund. Proposals will be considered by the Truckee River Fund Advisory Committee and grant recommendations must be approved both by the TMWA Board and the Board of Trustees of the Community Foundation. The fund advisors may recommend up to a total of $800,000 in grant awards per fiscal year but may choose to award less than the amount available.
The mission of the Truckee River Fund is to protect and enhance water quality or water resources of the Truckee River or its watershed. To be considered for funding, project proposals must demonstrate measurable impact in accordance with this mission.
Grant Priorities
TMWA recommends that the Advisors give preference to well-prepared and thought out grant requests for projects and programs that mitigate substantial threats to water quality and the watershed, particularly those threats upstream or nearby treatment and hydroelectric plant intakes:

• Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)

Projects/Programs that support the prevention or control of aquatic invasive species in the main stream Truckee River, Lake Tahoe, other tributaries and water bodies in the Truckee River system.
Watershed Improvements
Projects that reduce erosion or sediment, suspended solids, or TDS discharges to the River. Projects or programs that are located within 303d (impaired waters) sections of the River should be considered, both in California and Nevada. Innovative techniques should be encouraged.
Local Stormwater Improvements
Projects that are well designed which mitigate storm water run-off due to urbanization of the local watershed. Priority should be given to those improvement projects in close proximity to TMWA’s water supply intakes and canals and which will improve the reliability and protect the quality of the community’s municipal water supply.
Re-Forestation and Re-Vegetation Projects
Projects to restore forest and upland areas damaged by fire and historical logging operations, and to improve watershed resiliency in drought situations. Projects/programs in this category should be given a high priority due to urbanization of the watershed and increased susceptibility of the urban and suburban watershed to wildfire.
Support to Rehabilitation of Local Tributary Creeks and Drainage Courses
Practical projects to support water quality improvement in Gray Creek, Bronco Creek, Mogul Creek, Chalk Creek, Steamboat Creek and the North Truckee Drain.
Stewardship and Environmental Awareness
Support to clean-up programs and the development and implementation of educational programs relative to water, water quality and watershed protection that do not fall clearly into the one of the above-mentioned categories.
The funding
The funding available for this RFP cycle is approximately $225,000 and grants will typically be funded between $5,000-$75,000.

Eligibility

Funds are to be used and/or disbursed exclusively for the charitable uses and purposes.
The Fund shall be used exclusively for projects that protect and enhance water quality or water resources of the Truckee River, or its watershed.
Grantees may include 501(c)(3) organizations and governmental entities. Any grants to governmental entities must be made exclusively for public benefit purposes.
Organizations or entities sponsoring proposals are prohibited from ex parte communications with members of the Committee regarding such proposals while those proposals are pending before the Committee, and such communications may be grounds for rejecting a proposal.All applicants must provide a match of at least 25 percent for dollars requested. The match may be with funding and/or in-kind services.

Ineligibility

Please note that land and/or water rights acquisition projects are not considered to be a Truckee River Fund priority.