Let's End the Secret

Most people I meet have not heard about the Community Foundation of Western Nevada.  Our newly amped up Marketing Committee is working to change that and I am confident they will help us increase our community awareness.  Even readers like you, who follow and support the Foundation, might not know about the community giving programs and projects that are “branded” separately. For example, the Community Foundation manages the Truckee River Fund.  One of our most significant grantmaking funds, the Truckee River fund has made 111 grants totaling $8,850,711.  The impact on our water systems, environment, on the quality of our water and its sustainability are greatly and positively affected by these grants. The Truckee River Fund is “funded” by the Truckee Meadows Water Authority.  To see more check out TruckeeRiverFund.org More recently, the Community Foundation was actually written into State legislation to administer the Nevada Dream Tags Fund.  We sell the Nevada Dream Tag raffle tickets, call the lucky ticket holders to give them their tags for a “hunt of a lifetime”, and receive the raffle sale proceeds. The Foundation manages the grant process for the fund and distributes the grants statewide to rehabilitate wildlife habitat destroyed by fire and drought.  Nevada Dream Tags fund made 22 grants totaling $401,491.  This is another Community Foundation fund with a separate website, www.nvdreamtag.org. Check it out to learn more about the Nevada Dream Tags and buy your own chance at a “hunt of a lifetime.” We are also privileged to work with an amazing donor, Lilli Trinchero, on her vision of reducing bullying in Washoe County Schools.  For more than ten years we have collaborated with the School District on curriculum, materials, and presentations. You will find local and nation-wide links to anti-bullying resources on our website.  Last year, the Celebrate Diversity fund, established by Lilli, brought to Washoe County School District a think tank that works nationwide with school districts on bullying and school climate.  Thanks to the support of the District in allowing them to come in, they studied our schools, student behavior, trends, policies, procedures, and programs.  They facilitated a meeting of top administrators that was held, coincidentally, two weeks after the Sparks Middle School tragedy.  The consultant’s report, “A Project to Strengthen and Improve WCSD School Climate” containing specific recommendations, was a key factor in the District receiving a $5 million Federal grant to improve our school climate. We have more stories of the good being done through the Community Foundation of Western Nevada, including dozens of impressive land conservation projects, millions of dollars directed to support and improve technology in education, and much more. Do you agree that it is time to end this secret? Will you help spread the word and let the community know more about the Foundation and the work we’re doing? The best news is that we’re just getting started.  The Community Foundation of Western Nevada is just 16 years old and is undertaking many new efforts. I welcome your call and would love to hear from you if you would like to get involved. We connect people who care with causes that matter. Chris Askin, President & CEO, 775-762-1932.