March 2024

Introducing Friends of the Foundation!

El Dorado Community Foundation is essential to strengthening our community both now and for future generations, and we do not take that role lightly. We are dedicated to elevating El Dorado County through philanthropic efforts, uniting multiple community sectors and partners for the greater good, actively supporting the development of our local nonprofit organizations, and coordinating emergency response funding efforts.

Friends of the Foundation is a group of individuals and businesses who support the ongoing delivery of our mission with an annual membership gift. By joining this emerging and dynamic initiative of El Dorado Community Foundation, you will have the opportunity to participate in local philanthropy and community through quarterly activities, networking, and special reports.

Join us as a dedicated community supporter, a change-maker, and advocate and let’s move forward together to elevate El Dorado County for a better future for all!

Annual Membership Levels & Benefits:

$100 - $499

• Invitations to all Friends of the Foundation events*

$500 - $2499

• Invitations to all Friends of the Foundation events*
• Recognition in annual Foundation Impact Report

$2500 and up

• Invitations to all Friends of the Foundation events*
• Recognition in annual Foundation Impact Report
• Recognition at all Foundation events
• Your logo/name on the Foundation Website

*Friends of the Foundation events include, but are not limited to:

• Philanthropy on Tap - Join us at different local breweries for philanthropic networking
• Legacy & Estate Planning 101 - Learn about updates in legacy & estate planning
• Community in the Courtyard - Networking events with West Slope nonprofit leaders
• Community at Co-Work - Networking events with Tahoe nonprofit leaders

Fund Spotlight: South County Alliance

The South County Alliance is a group of dedicated and passionate individuals that formed in the wake of the Caldor Fire in 2021. This group of mostly south county residents saw the devastating effects of the fire on their community and decided to step forward to aid in the recovery efforts in and around Grizzly Flats. One of these efforts is the plan to bring a community center to Grizzly Flats, a project which has recently made significant headway with the gift of land on which to build the community center from long-time resident of Grizzly Flats, Maxine Tyler.

Maxine’s husband, Walt Tyler was born and raised in Grizzly Flats. His family’s longstanding dedication to community spirit and development was essential to the growth of this area. Maxine and her husband embody the spirit of “Grizzly Flats Strong.” In addition to the many roles he and Maxine undertook to support local residents, Walt served on the Grizzly Flats Fire Safe Council. Maxine recalls fondly, “He was always advocating for a community center. He wanted a place where we could gather to distribute information, celebrate, or connect in times of emergencies.” Now many years later, as Grizzly Flats takes steps toward community rehabilitation post Caldor Fire, the opportunity came forward for Maxine Tyler to help make that dream come to fruition. In honor of her husband’s legacy, Maxine came forward with a generous offer on a 20-The acre parcel of her land, which will be the site of the future Grizzly Flats Community Center. This flagship project is essential to the revitalization of everything the Grizzly Flats community holds dear. 

South County Alliance members pictured left to right: Dr. John Taylor, Susan Fredericks, Melanie Edman-Osmer, Candance Flaming, and Robin Kelley.

The new community center isn't the only thing South County Alliance has been working on either, they have been busy developing a strong foundation and setting themselves up for long-term success while spearheading a number of smaller initiatives centered around strengthening community and improving quality of life for Grizzly Flats residents. South County Alliance is working with the owner of the Grizzly Flats Cemetery to clean up the grounds in preparation of building a new fence and entryway for the cemetery. Similarly, they helped organize the clean up of the Grizzly Flats Pond and enlisted the help of Eagle Scout, Anthony Benavides to build picnic tables, a new fence at the pond entrance, and replanting the area to make it a place families can gather again. During the summer months, South County Alliance hosts Burger Nights as a way to bring together the surrounding community to share a meal and develop connections with their neighbors.

South County Alliance promotes community building through community service by bringing together community members to help for the common good. If you would like to support their mission and help rebuild the sense of community within Grizzly Flats, click below.

2024 Consolidated Grant Cycle Opening Soon!

Opening on April 8th and due by May 16th, the El Dorado Community Foundation's Consolidated Grant Cycle is just around the corner! This year, requests for proposals will be opened up for Friends of Seniors, Give Tahoe, Veterans TOT, and Endow El Dorado Sapling grants.

In preparation for this upcoming grant cycle, we recommend brushing up on the critical elements of building a strong and resilient organization by reviewing the Foundation's Building a Better Nonprofit Beginner Series and Master Series.

In addition to these upcoming cycles, check out the grants currently available here!

Interested in getting more involved with

El Dorado Community Foundation?

Consider volunteering to serve on one of the Foundation's committees. The Foundation's committees include the Finance Committee, Grants Committee, and Legacy Planning Committee. Take a look at the descriptions of each committee below to see if there is one that would be a good fit for you!

• Finance Committee - The Finance Committee meets once a month and is responsible for the fiscal integrity of the Foundation, reviews the annual budget, reviews and approves certain types of gifts, reviews and recommends investment strategies, and more. Individuals interested in serving on the Finance Committee are required to have a background in finance, accounting, financial law, or other related fields.
• Grants Committee - The Grants Committee meets as needed, typically a few times a year, and is responsible for reviewing applications for certain competitive grant cycles as well as reviewing scholarship applications. Additionally, the Site Visit Committee is a subcommittee under the Grants Committee and is responsible for visiting certain grant recipients to ensure that they have met the criteria laid out in the funding agreement for their grant. Individuals seeking to serve on the Grants Committee should have a passion for their community and a commitment to seeing grant and scholarship funding go where it will have the most significant impact.
• Legacy Planning Committee - The Legacy Planning Committee usually meets once a month and is tasked with furthering community awareness of legacy and estate planning through education to the professional advisor community and donors alike. This committee also puts on an annual educational event called the Professional Advisors Forum where members of the professional advisor community can earn continued educational credits (MCLE, CFP, CPE). Individuals interested in serving on the Legacy Planning Committee should be estate planners, attorneys, financial advisors, or a member of a related field.

Email your interest to amy@eldoradocf.org

Did you miss last month's newsletter? Check in out here!