With a special focus on local youth development programs, we recently announced grants totaling $115,200 to 15 organizations through our winter 2011 granting cycle.

This year’s top grant recipient is Adventure Risk Challenge (ARC) who was awarded a $30,000 grant. ARC’s unique 40-day program is designed to support youth in gaining essential leadership and academic skills to support their equitable involvement in a diverse community and society.

The foundation has supported ARC for four years. We’ve witnessed first hand the success of this program. It’s wonderful to see the results of this amazing program and how our financial support can make a tremendous difference.

Other youth-oriented grant recipients include: Boys and Girls Club of North Tahoe, $10,000; Girls on the Run, $4,000; Get in the Act! Arts in Action, $2,500 and Jazz Artist in Residence, $7,500. TMRF also awarded grants to outdoor focused groups including Disabled Sports USA Far West, $2,000; Northstar XC-Snowshoe Series, Tahoe Rim Trail Association, $7,500; Trails and Vistas, $1,000; Truckee Trails Foundation, $4,540 and Truckee River Watershed Council, $10,613. Additionally, grants were awarded to Project MANA, $3,550; Sierra Senior Services, $9,000 and Tahoe Family Solutions, $4,000.

The TMRF board spends countless hours reviewing comprehensive grant applications and conducting personal interviews and before making its final decisions.