Community Projects
Last year, the North Tahoe Truckee Leadership Program introduced a new approach to its Community Service Projects, pairing small teams of participants with local nonprofits to address real organizational needs. Participants brought diverse professional backgrounds and perspectives to projects designed to be achievable within the six-month program.
Project opportunities ranged from marketing and community outreach to program planning, fundraising strategies, volunteer coordination, and organizational improvements. Participants worked closely with nonprofit partners to establish goals, gather feedback, and develop practical tools, recommendations, or other final deliverables, with guidance from program faculty and staff.
These partnerships gave participants the opportunity to put leadership skills into practice through collaboration, problem-solving, and project management while supporting the work of organizations serving our Truckee–North Tahoe community.
The switch in the program was made to address a true need in our community and to give leadership participants the opportunity to make a true difference.
Take a Look at Last Years Projects
2026 Projects
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Participants partnered with Tahoe Truckee School of Music to develop a plan for “Gathering of the Bands,” a proposed annual fundraiser showcasing local musicians and supporting access to music education. The team created an event framework covering ticketing, sponsorships, fundraising activities, marketing, and event logistics, with goals of attracting approximately 250 attendees and generating $20,000 in net proceeds. Their work provided the school with a practical roadmap for bringing the event to life and building an ongoing community celebration that supports its mission of making music accessible to everyone.
Tahoe Truckee Workforce Housing Agency
Participants partnered with the Truckee Tahoe Workforce Housing Agency to increase awareness of its housing programs and help its small staff manage ongoing outreach. The team developed a social media training guide, supported the launch of an Instagram account, and created updated flyers with QR codes connecting people directly to housing information and resources. Participants also connected with local businesses and helped bring housing education to a North Tahoe Chamber mixer. Their work provided practical tools and community connections to help the agency reach more local workers and employers.
Participants partnered with Truckee Roundhouse to improve fundraising systems for its 10th Annual Maker Show. The team researched 16 online fundraising platforms and helped implement GiveButter, allowing supporters to purchase auction items and bid before the event. Participants also helped secure donations, organize auction and raffle items, and support event-day operations. The silent auction and raffle generated more than $20,000, with total proceeds from those activities, donations, and ticket sales exceeding $31,000. The team also created instructions and recommendations to make future fundraising events easier for staff and volunteers to manage.
Friends of the Truckee Library
Participants partnered with Friends of the Truckee Library to help gather community input on programming and use of spaces in the new library. The team developed a 19-question survey in English and Spanish, along with outreach materials, a distribution plan, and step-by-step guidance for reviewing results. Their work emphasized reaching a broad cross-section of the community, including Spanish-speaking households, teens, seniors, and renters. The project provided volunteers with a ready-to-use toolkit to launch the survey and use community feedback to guide future library programming.
Participants partnered with KidZone Museum to raise awareness of its programs and develop a marketing approach its small staff could sustain. Participants gathered photos and video at the museum, created and scheduled social media content, and developed recommendations for highlighting exhibits, educational activities, and family experiences. The team also collected an alumni story, developed visitor survey tools, and identified opportunities for partnerships with local schools, transportation providers, and community organizations. Their work gave KidZone practical content and a plan for reaching more families throughout Truckee and North Lake Tahoe.
Participants partnered with Donner Summit Association to support informed community engagement around local economic development. Using Nevada County’s commercial cannabis permitting process as a case study, the team researched application requirements, explored potential economic and community impacts, and connected with county staff. Participants also helped bring residents, local leaders, and county representatives together for a well-attended community forum. The project maintained a neutral position on a potential dispensary and provided the association with a repeatable approach for sharing information, gathering community input, and engaging in future economic development initiatives.