The Local Lens – Incline Village Honors Local Generosity at the Heart of Giving Awards
February 11, 2026 | Member Submitted
Guest Writer, Jody Wright – Executive Director of Tahoe Family Solutions
The Local Lens – The word philanthropy, originated from the Greek word philanthropia, simply meant “For the love of Mankind.”
On February 14, Tahoe Family Solutions is excited to host a new event in Incline Village – The Heart of Giving Awards. Our hope is to draw attention to the incredible generosity and spirit of this community by recognizing exceptional philanthropic, volunteer and community service efforts. In this first year of the event and in honor of our history, we will recognize Joe and Polly Wolfe for their long-term commitment to the TFS mission, and families and youth of the Incline basin, as well as the multiple other non-profit organizations they support in our region, many of whom will be in attendance on the 14th.
We recognize it is through the giving of time, treasure and talent of so many that we have incredible arts opportunities, a safety net for struggling individuals and families, community events and beautification, education support, disaster response, scholarships and mentorship, care and support for veterans, social and civil rights movements, emergency veterinary care, and so much more. This event is grounded in gratitude and inspiration, seeking to create a legacy event that inspires awareness and encourages participation in opportunities to serve, give, and engage, and to thank the many people who make it possible.
This year, we will be fundraising for TFS programs that are near and dear to the hearts of the Wolfes – those that are centered around youth in our community. Their commitment to leveling the playing field and providing opportunities that may be out of reach for some of our neighbors and their children is long-term and consistent. Donations and offers to volunteer will be gratefully accepted in Joe and Polly’s honor and will go to these same youth programs that they so care about. People like Joe and Polly, who give what they can, regardless of the size of the gift or the amount of time shared, make an impact in ways you may never see but are truly life-changing for so many.
We are delighted at the response to this sold-out event and cannot thank the community and our sponsors enough. This fledgling event simply would not have happened without your support and enthusiasm. In coming years, it will be exciting to see how we can grow it to joyously celebrate the Hearts of Giving of many organizations, individuals and families that contribute so much to our village.
For more information or to make a gift, please contact Tahoe Family Solutions at 775-413-5145
Valentine’s Day in Incline Village & Crystal Bay: Celebrate Love, Community & Connection
February 4, 2026 | Kristin Derrin
IVCBA Members, if we missed your event or special please let us know so we can update: kristin@ivcba.org
Valentine’s Day in Incline Village and Crystal Bay isn’t just about candlelit dinners; it’s about community, creativity, and finding meaningful ways to connect with the people (and places) we love. Whether you’re celebrating with a partner, friends, family, or simply treating yourself, here are some local ways to make February 14 feel special.
Tahoe Gifting: Just Because – We like you and we Love to Party
If you’re looking for something relaxed, creative, and community-driven,Tahoe Giftingis kicking off Valentine’s Day with a feel-good afternoon at The Cut—and no, you don’t need a reason other than they like you.
This free, low-pressure event is all about slowing down and enjoying where we live and who we get to share it with. Come solo, bring your favorite person, or gather a few friends and make an afternoon of it.
What to expect:
Tastings with Minden Mill Distillery
Charcuterie snacks
Create a custom love-potion room spray with Sierra Soapbox Candle Co.
Design a bag charm or keychain at the new charm bar
On-site laser engraving so your piece is unmistakably yours
Add cozy music, projected visuals, and The Cut’s welcoming energy, and you’ve got a Valentine’s celebration that’s more about connection than convention. Free event. RSVP encouraged.
Fundraiser: Tahoe Family Solutions – Heart of Giving Award Brunch
Start Valentine’s Day by celebrating generosity and community impact at this meaningful fundraiser honoring two local champions.
TheHeart of Giving Awardrecognizes individuals whose generosity, leadership, and commitment have made a lasting difference for children and families in our region. This year’s inaugural award is presented to Joe & Polly Wolfe, whose deep care for the Lake Tahoe community continues to inspire connection and positive change.
Looking for a cozy, elevated dining experience? Sage Leaf Tahoeis offering Valentine’s specials that hit all the right notes.
Dinner Special (Dinner Only): House-made Langostino & Feta Ravioli with sautéed cherry tomatoes, peas, and a rosé cream sauce
Dessert Special (Available All Day): Dark Chocolate Crème Brûlée with macerated strawberries and strawberry coulis
Perfect for date night or dessert first.
Family-Friendly: H’Art & Harmony at Incline Elementary
Celebrate creativity, music, and community atH’Art & Harmony, an evening showcasing art and live music from Incline Elementary School students.
Enjoy student performances, an inspiring art exhibit, hands-on crafts, a fun raffle, and snacks available for purchase. This joyful, family-friendly event brings together students, families, and friends in support of arts education—and reminds us that love shows up in many forms.
Local favorites, including Bite, Big Water Grille, and Happy Tiers Bakery
Don’t forget to grab your flowers atWyld Peony for stunning, locally crafted bouquets. Perfect for Valentine’s Day and guaranteed to make someone smile. They have tons of Valentine’s Day flowers, fun gifts, and flowers in-store only. There will be some premade cash and carry bouquets, small gift items (jewelry, teddy bears, etc.), and cute little premade arrangements in fun containers (disco ball, glass heart). And they will have all the usual items available online and by phone. 775.298.2799
Whether you’re dressing up, creating something meaningful, giving back, or simply gathering with good people, Valentine’s Day in Incline Village and Crystal Bay is full of ways to celebrate connection—local style.
The Local Lens – Ullr Fest, Olympians & a Healthy Start to 2026
January 29, 2026 | Linda Offerdahl
Fresh snow arrived today, just in time for the Ullr Fest on Friday! It’s the first big community fundraiser for the year, raising funds for young skiers through Diamond Peak Ski Education Foundation. Watch the torchlight parade at Diamond Peak and don’t forget your Viking helmet! If you are not a skier, but love the Olympics, why not attend the Evening of Champions on Saturday at the Hyatt to benefit the Ski Team? Olympians Marco and Anna Sullivan are on hand for a Meet and Greet.
I come from a Minnesota/Scandinavian heritage that believes in showing love by sharing a cookie platter after (and before!) every meal during December. I cling to the tradition of a cookie exchange with my girlfriends in Tahoe, but I gotta tell you, the enthusiasm is waning. Stepping on the scale in January was my first clue that the cookie tradition had to stop! After the holidays, many of us are trying to detox and eat clean, whatever that means! Find out at Natural Grocers this Saturday and Feb 7 at their 11am “Hack Your Health” classes taught by Alina Neacy. Teaser: Balancing your blood sugar is more than just cutting cookies from your diet.
The healthy theme continues in February, right around the corner. February is Heart Health Month at Tahoe Forest Health System. The balmy weather this winter makes it easy to get over to Truckee for their noon workshops on Wednesdays. Exercise and diet are obvious ways to promote heart health, but DID YOU KNOW that gum disease, stress, and dairy also affect your heart? Find out more at www.tfhd.com . Now for the fun part… Friday, February 6, is Wear Red Day! For those of you who remember my Dress The Party costume store, red is still my favorite color. I can’t fit into that hot leather dress from the 80’s that is still in my closet, but I will break out one of my red sweaters. I hope you will too!
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IVCBA is the Community and Business Association that promotes our local businesses and nonprofits, organizes community events, and produces the Weekly SnapShot! If you are a subscriber and regular reader, please join as a Community Supporter for $50. If you are not a subscriber, do for free! Go to IVCBA.org. We are financially supported by our local agency “investors”, and our business community and residents. Please help!JOIN HERE
IVCBA: Building Community Where We Live, Work, and Play
January 20, 2026 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Holiday Edition of LIVE.WORK.PLAY. Magazine, Author: Kristie Wells
When Incline Village lost its traditional Chamber of Commerce more than a decade ago, something vital went missing — a unifying voice for businesses and a meeting ground for residents. Out of that gap, the Incline Community Business Association (ICBA) was formed in 2009 to keep connections alive. But it wasn’t until 2021, amid the isolation and economic strain of COVID, that the organization was reborn as IVCBA, the Incline Village Crystal Bay Community & Business Association. With renewed structure, funding, and vision, IVCBA set out not just to rebuild a chamber but to rebuild community — one that reflects the unique character, challenges, and spirit of Washoe Tahoe.
A Foundation for Connection
IVCBA’s story begins like many great community efforts – with a local business owner who saw a need and rallied others to fill it. After decades of volunteering in schools, service clubs, and local boards, and running her beloved shop, Dress The Party, Executive Director Linda Offerdahl helped relaunch IVCBA with a simple but powerful solution to the challenge that hobbles many small-town associations: sustainable funding.
Through a mix of founding and tiered memberships, IVCBA quickly earned the support of every major agency – a clear signal the region was ready for a home base of collaboration. From the start, IVCBA has focused on two priorities: economic vitality and civic engagement. The organization is intentionally apolitical; its mission is to educate and convene – to be the table where everyone can share ideas and turn them into action.
Rebuilding Local Communication
One of IVCBA’s greatest achievements has been rebuilding how Incline Village and Crystal Bay communicate. When the local newspaper folded, the community lost its central source of news. Today, IVCBA’s weekly Snapshot reaches more than 3,000 subscribers – residents, second homeowners, and businesses reconnected to the pulse of local life. It also links to regional outlets like the Tahoe Daily Tribune, keeping the community informed and engaged.
That same connective thread runs through the Merchant Map (spotlighting shops and services), the digital Vibe Map for quick wayfinding, Welcome Bags that introduce new residents to local resources, and Live.Work.Play, a magazine published three times a year featuring stories, news, and ways to get involved. Together, these touchpoints have restored a shared sense of identity and pride.
Addressing the Housing Challenge
If communication is the backbone, convening is the heart. “Whether it’s transportation, housing, or family advocacy, we work to bring all segments of our community to the table,” Offerdahl said.
When Washoe County completed its housing study and developed a regional roadmap, the ad hoc Washoe Tahoe Housing Partnership was dissolved, leaving a gap in local coordination. IVCBA stepped up to fill that void, forming a Housing Committee to keep workforce housing front and center. The issue remains complex, with no easy solutions, but the committee’s ongoing work ensures housing stays a visible priority for county officials and agencies supporting local residents.
Main Street Momentum
On the ground, IVCBA’s Main Street program is reshaping the look and feel of our town, one small victory at a time. The goal isn’t to change Incline’s character but to enhance it through walkability, beautification, and pride of place. The Incline to Bloom initiative first brought planters and seasonal décor to commercial corridors, and now thousands of daffodils are being planted across public spaces to brighten spring in the Village. A new community gathering area in Christmas Tree Village, funded in part by a Main Street grant, shows what’s possible when merchants, property owners, and volunteers work together. And stewardship of the Highway 28 roundabout, our gateway to the lake, ensures visitors and residents alike are greeted with care and welcome.
Celebrating Community Spirit
From Northern Lights Tahoe in December to the Local Heroes 4th of July Celebration, Restaurant Week in the spring, business mixers, and the growing Fall Fest, IVCBA’s events spark connection, conversation, and civic pride. Each gathering reminds us that when people show up, community grows – connections deepen, ideas take shape, and pride takes root.
The Power of Membership
IVCBA’s nimble, “pivot-on-a-dime” approach allows it to respond quickly to community needs – whether planting bulbs, hosting leadership receptions, or coordinating with agencies to solve problems. Its greatest achievement, though, is both simple and profound: IVCBA has given Incline Village and Crystal Bay a framework for positive collaboration among residents and businesses, nonprofits and agencies, full-time and part-time locals alike.
A thriving community isn’t built by one project or one person – it’s built by many hands working together for the place we all call home.
To keep this work growing, IVCBA invites everyone – business owners, nonprofits, agencies, and residents – to become members and help strengthen the fabric that connects us all. Because when Incline Village and Crystal Bay thrive, we all do.
The Local Lens – Why I Like Living in a Small Town
January 14, 2026 | Linda Offerdahl
I thought I was a city girl for the first twenty years of living in Incline. We had a high-rise apartment in downtown Minneapolis in the early 80’s…in our single days! When we moved to Incline to start a family in 1988, we kept a home in Minnesota for frequent visits. I assumed we would go back to a downtown lifestyle. Hmm. Not anymore, now that we are seniors. I still go back for family visits, and I get my city fix by staying with our daughter Nicole and her wife, Patty, in their urban home in south Minneapolis. BUT today’s Lens is about the benefits of living in a small town, especially in Incline, whether you are a senior or raising a family.
HELPFUL NEIGHBORS
IVCBA’s Marketing & Communications Manager, Kristin Derrin, tells the story of coming back to Incline after living abroad for 4 months. Her family arrived in the middle of the storm to find that their neighbors had plowed their driveway so they could get into their house. Many of our full-time residents moved here when they were much younger. They count on neighbors to check on them and help them out.
SUPPORT FOR SENIORS
Sometimes those longtime residents need more help to get by. Sierra Senior Services and Washoe County provide Meals on Wheels, delivered by Jim Dykstra and other volunteers who take time to do a wellness check as well. Incliners offers a variety of activities, including a potluck at Diamond Peak during the winter season.
SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES
Myriad organizations make Incline family-friendly. Most families need after-school care like that offered by the Duffield Youth Center. I want to give a shout-out to Daisy Day Care, which now offers a babysitting service on Friday nights and ski & ride camp as childcare on Saturday and Sundays.
I never tire of talking about our 3 local markets, our hardware store, and the businesses that offer staples so we can skip the trip to Mt. Rose, especially in bad weather. Please patronize them and let them know how glad you are that they are here.
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IVCBA is the Community and Business Association that promotes our local businesses and nonprofits, organizes community events, and produces the Weekly SnapShot! If you are a subscriber and regular reader, please join as a Community Supporter for $50. If you are not a subscriber, do for free! Go to IVCBA.org. We are financially supported by our local agency “investors”, and our business community and residents. Please help!JOIN HERE
Sixty years ago, back when Incline Village was becoming a town, 655-acre Ski Incline was taking root as a community-owned ski resort. It celebrated a lot of “firsts” in the Tahoe ski industry at the time, it was one of the first resorts in the area to have original moving magic carpets, the first to have a manmade snowmaking system, and I believe it was the first to have a mascot (Penguin Pete—that was the brainchild of New Zealander Ski School Director Bee Ferrato). In 1985, when it installed the Crystal Ridge quad, it opened a whole new world of black diamond terrain, hence the resort changed its name to Diamond Peak.
Twenty years ago, I was working in the wakeboarding industry in Orlando, Florida, and soon missed having four seasons—I had to buy a sweater every time I came home for Christmas. As an avid snowboarder, I applied for winter ski resort jobs at Kirkwood Mountain Resort, Diamond Peak, and Sunriver in Bend, Oregon, in October 2006. Diamond Peak called me back first.
By December 2006, I had moved to Carnelian Bay with three guys who also secured jobs at Diamond Peak (I spent my first night in town going to the ICBA’s Christmas Tree Village Pray for Snow party, where I met one of my bosses, Mike Bandelin). As a lift operator, I worked with fellow chair bumpers from New Zealand, Australia, South America, and beyond, on J-1 visas during their summer breaks.
Ed Youmans was the general manager, and Mike Bandelin was the mountain manager at the time, and they were both great to work for. Mike had worked at the resort since he was 17 years old, and hailing from Vernon, New Jersey, I believe Ed became the GM in 1995.
Ed used to tell unbelievable stories of his time working at Action Park, now fondly remembered as “The World’s Most Dangerous Waterpark.” Diamond Peak Ski Operations Manager Jay Rydd used to work with Ed at Action Park, and I’m sure he has his own stories to tell.
The Lift Op Life
Before Diamond Peak renovated its ski school, there used to be a locker room facing out to the Lakeview chairlift that we used to call The Bunker because it was partly underground. Every Friday night, we had little impromptu rail jams outside The Bunker, where we would drag a barbecue out into the snow and find things like trash cans, fences, and unused railings that we could slide off on our snowboards (the whole freestyle skiing scene hadn’t come into existence yet). In January, after we got several storms that dumped feet of snow, the cat drivers pushed piles of it under the Lakeview chairlift and behind The Bunker. Ski School carved the snow piles into a gigantic sea turtle and the other a 10-ft. long whale with pinecone eyes. Tourists who didn’t ski came to Diamond Peak just to take pictures of the whale. At one of our Friday night rail jams, we tried to jib off the top of the whale and touch its tail without breaking it off.
The Beginning of Diamond Peak’s Iconic Events
In April 2007, the IVGID marketing coordinator position opened. I applied for the year-round position and got it. I worked at Diamond Peak as the IVGID marketing coordinator from 2007-2009. During that stint, our marketing team created some signature events that are still in place today. The marketing director at the time, Milena Regos, came up with Last Tracks, and it’s crazy to think she struggled to sell the concept at the time, while there’s now a waitlist for it. We also put on quite a few successful Dummy Downhills, the Luggi Foeger Uphill Downhill Race, and new events have come on the scene, like Ullr Fest and Pi Day.
My favorite event happened only once, though, and that was Bruce Spring Skiing Day. My late coworker Jay Abdo and I came up with it to celebrate the first day of spring and drum up some business after the holidays. Despite Ed being from New Jersey, he was not a Bruce Springsteen fan and hated the idea of us celebrating The Boss. But we did it anyway…we brought in a Bruce Springsteen cover band and gave everyone named Bruce a discounted lift ticket (we were liberal about who qualified). About a hundred people showed up to ski and dance the afternoon away…a few Bruces but mostly season passholders.
The Memories Continue
Thanks to Diamond Peak hiring me as a lift operator when I wanted to move to the West Coast, I have lived in North Lake Tahoe for almost 20 years. Over that time span, I’ve known people who’ve met, fallen in love, and raised their families based on some Diamond Peak connection. And every time I ride the mountain, not only do I recall dozens of other stories, but I see new memories being formed, consistently proving that the community connection has remained strong. Cheers to another 60 years!
Shopping Local this Saturday’s Jingle & Mingle is a great time to do some retail therapy and run into friends and neighbors you don’t see every week. The stores are decorated, there is holiday cheer to enjoy, and lots of great gift ideas. For a little Village, we certainly have a lot of different centers!
Here’s my strategy:
Start with Raleys Incline Center, along the boardwalk with Forever Rox, and see if you can’t find something you like and can afford with their (unheard of!)20% discount. Stop next at Mountain Hardware…so much more than hammers and nails. They sell outdoor sports clothing, holiday décor, and more. Save The Potlatch for last because you won’t want to leave or miss their EXTRA specials, because it is also Customer Appreciation Day. And don’t miss Tahoe WARF and their Holiday Gift Wrapping Fundraiser at Gus’ BBQ.
Now it’s time to hop across the street (using the crosswalk!) to Luxe Nails for nails, wine, and treats. By now, you might need a different kind of relief from all that retail therapy. Go visit Incline Acupuncture for a free balancing auricular acupuncture from 11-3 with Pam.
Susie Scoops and Village Toys are next. You are probably feeling guilty (like me) for passing by those Toys for Tots barrels without dropping off a gift. I will be stopping there before Saturday to buy a birthday gift, a good reason to shop there all year long.
OK, now you’ve warmed up for the big time…on to the party at Christmas Tree Village. Here’s a bit of Incline history: Back in the day of Chamber mixers, this was THE happening place along the entire North Shore. Every shop had homemade cookies and was decorated to the hilt. This center still has those kind of vibes, but it’s a daytime event. So…Tahoe Gifting is the happening place, complete with a DJ and apps from Paxtons. If you don’t know who Paxton’s is, notice the name change at Austin’s the next time you go there. If you simply MUST make a handmade gift, this is the day to get introduced to The Cut, a dedicated space for workshops and creating! I am hoping Karma has their Christmas karaoke so I can sing Jingle Bells as loud as I want…But I will need liquid refreshment first from Crosby’s. After my healthy juice from Thania’s? This is the ONLY day of the year I have an espresso chocolate martini. They are SO GOOD! I don’t want to miss anyone else at Christmas Tree Village, so I am going to walk the whole boardwalk, stopping at Village Pet Thrift, Happy Tiers, and Mofo’s for some complimentary pizza offerings before I leave Christmas Tree Village.
Village Center is next. Start with the upper center and Wyld Peony (pick up a specialty wreath!). I hope you saved a few dollars for the thrift stores…all 3 of them in Village Center! You’re almost done for the day, so why not top it off at Grocery Outlet with a wine tasting of VERY affordable wines and pick up something for dinner.
But if you really want to shop til you drop, then please make one last stop: Iron & Wood in Country Club Center. By now, you’re loose enough to swing that club in their indoor center. Here’s your chance to buy that gift for the hardest guy on your list. A session or three to work on his/her golf swing this winter.
I hope I didn’t leave anyone out! Hopefully, your route to and from the centers will bring you by the Visitor Center for Tahoe-logo’d gifts and to see the holiday lights firsthand at Lakeshore Realty across from Incline Beach.
LIKE WHAT YOU READ?
IVCBA is the Community and Business Association that promotes our local businesses and nonprofits, organizes community events, and produces the Weekly SnapShot! If you are a subscriber and regular reader, please join as a Community Supporter for $50. If you are not a subscriber, do for free! Go to IVCBA.org. We are financially supported by our local agency “investors”, and our business community and residents. Please help!JOIN HERE
The Local Lens – Community Holiday Tree Lights Up on Saturday!
December 2, 2025 | Linda Offerdahl
This year’s dilemma of finding a tree to designate as the official Incline Village Holiday Tree was solved by the fire district’s fuels crew! While reducing hazardous fuels in the First Creek drainage area, they found a beautiful 12-foot White Fir. They cut and installed it in front of the Prim Library on the UNR at Lake Tahoe campus. Thanks to Sheila and Ken Leijon, the tree is decorated with solar lights. The lights will be officially turned on this Saturday, December 6, at the Northern Lights Community Celebration.
The (free) festive event on Saturday starts at 2 pm when Prim Library opens its doors to the community to view the 30+ nonprofit “giving trees”. There are multiple contests; locals are encouraged to vote for their favorite tree, along with enjoying a multitude of entertainment and activities sponsored by service clubs and nonprofits.
Whittier Trust is the premier sponsor of Northern Lights. Raleys is donating sandwiches. IVCBA, UNR, IVGID, North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District, and the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office are all active participants in organizing the event.
Think of it as a giant open house in Incline Village. You will want to stop in every center. The Do Not Miss places are The Potlatch in Raley’s Incline Center and Tahoe Gifting Company at the Christmas Tree Village.
LIKE WHAT YOU READ?
IVCBA is the Community and Business Association that promotes our local businesses and nonprofits, organizes community events, and produces the Weekly SnapShot! If you are a subscriber and regular reader, please join as a Community Supporter for $50. If you are not a subscriber, do for free! Go to IVCBA.org. We are financially supported by our local agency “investors”, and our business community and residents. Please help!JOIN HERE
Giving Tuesday: Supporting the Nonprofits That Strengthen Incline Village & Crystal Bay
December 1, 2025 | Kristin Derrin
Celebrating community generosity with IVCBA Member Nonprofits
Giving Tuesday is a powerful reminder of the generosity that defines Incline Village and Crystal Bay. Nearly all of our local nonprofits are proud members of IVCBA, working every day to strengthen our community. As you consider where to give this season, remember that the Tahoe Community Foundation serves as a central hub for nonprofit resources and philanthropy across Incline Village and the greater Tahoe Basin, making it easy to support the causes you care about most.
Below are just a few of the many IVCBA member nonprofits participating in Giving Tuesday this year. For a complete list of local nonprofit organizations serving our community, visit the IVCBA Community Resource Page, non-profit section: https://www.ivcba.org/resources/community-resources/ or visit the Tahoe Community Foundation for the complete list around the Basin.
Giving Tuesday Opportunities From IVCBA Member Nonprofits
Food Bank of Northern Nevada — Triple Match Opportunity
This Giving Tuesday, your generosity can go three times as far. Thanks to Dermody’s 2025 Thanksgiving Capstone Award, every gift to the Food Bank of Northern Nevada is tripled. Each dollar helps provide nine meals for children experiencing food insecurity, at a time when many families are feeling the strain of keeping dinner plates full, especially during a season symbolizing warmth, care, and community. Give here: https://fbnn.org/
Lake Tahoe School — Winter Market and Nonprofit Showcase
Lake Tahoe School proudly kicks off the giving season with its annual Winter Market celebration on Giving Tuesday. This festive initiative launches Raffle Ticket Sales and the Silent Auction, culminating in the public Winter Market event on Tuesday, December 5. This year’s Winter Market website will also feature a dedicated section spotlighting local nonprofit partners, amplifying the spirit of giving across the community. Learn more or give: https://www.laketahoeschool.org/
AAUW Tahoe/Nevada — Matching Challenge for Women and Girls
AAUW Tahoe/Nevada supports the advancement of women and girls through scholarships, grants, and volunteer service. In honor of Giving Tuesday, four AAUW members are matching donations up to $10,000, doubling the impact of every contribution. Your support fuels educational, leadership, and career-building opportunities for local women and girls. Donate: https://tahoe-nv.aauw.net/donate/
Tahoe Family Solutions – Strengthening Local Families
Tahoe Family Solutions provides essential resources, mental health services, and youth programs to ensure every child, individual, and family has the opportunity to thrive. As a Family Resource Center, TFS offers most services at little to no cost. Since 2021, emergency support needs have risen 261 percent, and in 2025, TFS is on track to provide more than $40,000 in rental and emergency assistance to stabilize families and preserve housing security. Please consider supporting TFS this Giving Tuesday—your contribution directly supports neighbors in need. Give Here: https://tahoefamily.org/donate-today/
Diamond Peak Ski Team (Ski Education Foundation)
This Giving Tuesday, the Diamond Peak Ski Education Foundation invites the community to invest in opportunity. Donations support the Steiner Scholarship Program, ensuring that young athletes, regardless of financial circumstance, can pursue competitive snowsports and develop resilience, confidence, and leadership. A contribution of any size makes a difference. A gift of $3,000 sponsors a full season for one athlete in need. Give here: https://dpst.regfox.com/donate
Wildwood Open Land Foundation
Wildwood Open Land Foundation is committed to preserving the natural and cultural resources of the Tahoe Basin. As a 100 percent volunteer organization, Wildwood relies entirely on community generosity to protect open spaces, support ecological stability, and provide education around local land conservation. You can support in three ways: donate, become a member, or volunteer. Learn more: https://www.wildwoodopenlands.org/
CYMBAL – Supporting Music Education in Incline Village Public Schools
Since 1991, CYMBAL has proudly supported music education in Incline Village public schools. Giving Tuesday donations help “Keep the Music Playing” by funding music education and outreach programs, purchasing instruments and equipment, repairing instruments, and providing sheet music and accessories. CYMBAL also helps ensure access to affordable instrument rentals, mentorship programs, workshops, performance opportunities, and transportation to festivals and competitions.
Newton Northern Nevada – Supporting Neurodivergent Students
Newton Northern Nevada is the region’s only non-public, non-profit school serving students with autism and other neurodivergent learning differences. With no state or government funding, the school depends on community generosity. Giving Tuesday gifts to the Promise Fund help provide an affordable, individualized, and compassionate education for students who thrive in a school designed for the way they learn. Give Here: : https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E351574&id=36
Pet Network
This year, Pet Network is raising funds for a generator for our shelter and community hospital so that animals in our care stay safe and warm—even when Tahoe’s winter storms knock the power out.
Fuel the Mission is our Giving Tuesday campaign to replace our retired operations vehicle so our dive team can keep cleaning Lake Tahoe year round. A dependable used vehicle allows us to haul tanks and kayaks, tow the jetski, reach remote coves, and launch in snowy winter conditions. Donors can sponsor specific parts of the vehicle from tires to safety gear to help power the pieces that keep our work moving. Every contribution (NO MATTER THE SIZE) fuels the mission and keeps our divers in the water protecting the lake from the bottom up.
This Giving Tuesday, we invite you to support the organizations that make our mountain community strong, connected, and compassionate. Every contribution, large or small, helps uplift local programs and the people they serve. To discover additional nonprofits doing important work in Incline Village and throughout the Tahoe Basin, visit the Tahoe Community Foundation, which provides a comprehensive directory and trusted pathways for giving. Together, we can make an impact.
Disclaimer: This Giving Tuesday roundup highlights IVCBA member nonprofits that reached out with information to share. It is not a comprehensive list of all local nonprofits. For the full directory of Incline Village and Crystal Bay nonprofit organizations, please visit the IVCBA Community Resource Page or reference the list of members below.
The Local Lens – Help kick-off Northern Lights the first weekend of December!
November 19, 2025 | Linda Offerdahl
IVCBA is bringing the “reason for the season” to its annual event that has most recently been named Candy Cane Village. This year’s Northern Lights Community Celebration on December 6 brings a “forest of giving trees” to the Prim Library on the UNR at Lake Tahoe campus. Over 25 nonprofits will bring a decorated (under 4 feet) tree complete with their wish list on ornaments and tags. There WILL be a community tree lighting outside, thanks to the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District, who will also be delivering Nevada Santa and Mrs. Claus. Nonprofits and schools will provide activities for all ages and entertainment, including the traditional concert by Incline Elementary School students led by their teacher, Shauna Righellis. As usual, Cocoa with Captain Cola from the Incline Substation.
Northern Lights Tahoe is a month-long celebration of holiday events by our businesses and nonprofits. IVCBA.org Northern Lights Calendar covers EVERYTHING, including faith-based services and New Year’s Eve events.
IVCBA is the Community and Business Association that promotes our local businesses and nonprofits, organizes community events, and produces the Weekly SnapShot! If you are a subscriber and regular reader, please join as a Community Supporter for $50. If you are not a subscriber, do for free! Go to IVCBA.org. We are financially supported by our local agency “investors”, and our business community and residents. Please help!JOIN HERE
