Annual Grant Cycle

The Annual Grant Cycle funds projects and programs for one year of funding, with the potential to kickstart longer initiatives. This cycle is geared towards projects ready for immediate implementation upon approval.

Applicants will indicate which priority area(s) they are positively impacting from the alphabetized list below: 

Community Enhancement and Visitor Integration Infrastructure– Community and visitor enhancement for the enjoyment of all.

Preferred investments include but are not limited to the following:

• Cultural and Interpretive Centers: Museums and other interpretive centers that showcase the region’s heritage and attractions.
• Public Art Installations: Art pieces that resonate with the community’s spirit and cultural narrative.
• Community Gathering Spaces: Defined as structured areas promoting community interactions, like plazas, amphitheaters, community gardens, etc.
• Outdoor Recreation Centers: Facilities that support and promote outdoor recreation and related activities.
• A combination of the preferred investments listed above. For example, a community gathering space that serves as an interpretive center and art space.

Environmental Stewardship and Mitigation of Tourism Impact – Mitigation of the impacts of tourism on our community and environment & enhancing and protecting environmental sustainability.

Preferred investments include but are not limited to:

• Trash mitigation (could include but not limited to public bear bins, public beaches, additional collection routes, etc.).
• Traffic-calming measures (could include but not limited to crossing guards/pedestrian flaggers, signage, etc.).
• Communication/outreach initiatives to visitors and/or residents.
• Development of programs and projects that support sustainability and stewardship initiatives.
• Other maintenance activities (could include but not limited to restroom maintenance activities).
• Construction or redevelopment of single-track dirt trails that conform with best environmental practices and regional trail documents.

Trails– Enhancing recreational trail use and connecting neighborhoods in non-automotive ways.

Preferred investments include:

• Development of paved Class 1 multi/use trails included in the Resort Triangle and Tahoe Regional Trail system. These investments should strictly focus on new construction, add value as a transit corridor, have significant safety impact, and construction in 2024. In addition, the proposed improvements must be identified as a Tier 1 priority within Placer County’s Parks and Trails Master Plan.

Transportation – Enhancing efficient transportation throughout the region.

Preferred investments include the following:

• Expanded or enhanced public transportation services, such as:
  • Micro-transit service
  • Scheduled or on-demand shuttles, especially for popular destinations within the Resort Triangle, to reduce traffic and enhance accessibility
  • Park and Ride lot expansion and program marketing
  • Commuter services
• Infrastructure planning/construction within the Resort Triangle, specifically along the SR 89, SR 267 corridors, and multimodal transportation options.
• Sidewalks and Pedestrian Infrastructure: Enhancing safe and accessible routes for pedestrians.
• Integration of shared mobility options, such as e-bikes or car-sharing.
• Education programs about the region’s public transportation options.
• Parking Management and associated services, programs, and infrastructure in line with Resort Triangle Transportation Plan.
• Other creative solutions that enhance efficient transportation and reduce vehicle miles traveled.

Workforce Housing– Creating a sustainable community through making housing affordable.

Preferred Investments include but are not limited to the following:

• Programs that retain or increase the availability of long-term or seasonal rentals (lease to locals, rental assistance, other).
• First-time homebuyer assistance programs.
• Fee offsets and other efforts to reduce costs during the pre-entitlement and entitlement process of a project.
• Streamlined processes and reduced costs during the pre-entitlement and entitlement phases.
• Financial incentives and technical assistance for homeowners/landowners who want to develop Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) on their property.
• Education and training programs for both tenants and landlords, promoting fair and transparent rental practices.
• Deed restriction programs.
• Housing initiatives that use private and public funds.
• Other workforce housing preferred investments including adaptive reuse (taking existing infrastructure and redeveloping it into workforce housing), property acquisition, the planning and construction of workforce housing projects, and new and innovative programs not identified above.

Please reference Mountain Housing Council definitions of affordable, moderate, and achievable housing.

You are eligible to apply for the Annual Grant Cycle if you meet the following minimum eligibility requirements:

• The applicant is a nonprofit, government agency, or business registered as an LLC, Corp, or B Corp, sole proprietor.
• The applicant provides services or conducts business in the North Lake Tahoe community, including the Placer County portion of the Lake Tahoe Basin, the 267 and 89 corridors, and Donner Summit (for TOT funds only).
• The applicant’s proposal is consistent with the preferred investments outlined in priority areas. 
• The proposal demonstrates public benefit, i.e., all residents within defined boundaries, and is not or would not be considered a gift of public funds.
  • The California gift of public funds doctrine set forth in the California Constitution, Article XVI, § 6, prohibits the giving or lending of public funds to any person or entity, public or private. “In determining whether an appropriation of state funds or property is to be considered a gift, the primary question is whether the funds are to be used for a “public” or “private” purpose. If they are for a “public purpose”, they are not a gift within the meaning of [§6 of art. XVI]. If an expenditure serves a primary public purpose, it is not a gift even if it incidentally benefits an individual.
• Placer County or other agencies do not already fund the investment; however, proposals to enhance or expand the investment are eligible.
• Your project/program falls within the TOT-TBID jurisdiction.
• Your project/program aligns with one of the guiding documents.

• Projects outside the TOT-TBID jurisdiction are not eligible. If your project is outside the jurisdiction, it cannot be awarded TOT-TBID funds. If your project falls on the jurisdiction line, please reach out to us.

The Annual Grant Cycle will refer to the following documents for guidance and criteria around each program element found here.

The steps to identify investment opportunities for the Annual Grant Cycle are included in the following timeline:

Preview the previous year’s application to learn more about the information required. We recommend you use the document below to write down your answers and then copy and paste them into Submittable. While Submittable will automatically save your answers, and you can return to your application until the deadline, sometimes it’s helpful to have all your answers documented outside of the Cloud. Please note that this document does not include all the branching questions. Please review the application closely before submitting.

After you apply, please note the following:

• You’ll receive an email confirmation that your application has been received.
• If your application is not accepted, you’ll hear from the NTCA by the end of September.
• If your application has been accepted, you’ll hear from the NTCA at the end of September about the next steps, including applicant presentations. Please note that your project/program may be accepted but not necessarily approved for funding.

After your application is received:

• It will be reviewed by NTCA staff for eligibility.
• The application will then be passed onto the Chairs/Vice Chairs of the TOT Advisory, Zone 1 and TBID Advisory committees and Placer County Executive Staff for review and routing to the appropriate recommending committee.
• Between September 9-20, committee members will read applications and ask questions of applicants through the Submittable platform in preparation for applicant presentations.
• Applicant presentations are scheduled on either October 9 or 10. You will be notified in advance on which date you will be presenting. Please plan a 10-minute presentation on your project and include time for committee questions.
• Committee members will then score your application using the scoring criteria. 
• Your application will also be scored by NTCA staff for match requirements using the match scoring matrix. 
• Final committee recommendations will be made between November 11-22 and will be made before the NTCA Board for approval on December 5. For projects funded by TOT funds, the NTCA board will make recommendations to the Placer County Board of Supervisors in January 2025.  

• Applicants will be asked to make a 10-minute presentation on either October 9 or 10.
• You will be sent a PowerPoint template through Submittable and will be asked to upload it to Submittable in advance of your presentation.
• We highly recommend that you present for around 7-8 minutes and that you leave 2-3 minutes for questions from committee members.
• Your application will be scored after the applicant presentations.

• What’s the difference between TOT and TBID funds?
  • If my project gets approved with TBID funds, what does that mean?
    • If your project or program is designated to be funded with TBID funds, then you will be notified via Submittable that the final decision for approval of funding will be made on December 4^th, 2024 by the NTCA Board of Directors.
  • With TOT funds, what does that mean?
    • If your project/program is designated to be funded with TOT funds, you will be notified via Submittable and the final decision for approval of funding will be made by Placer County Board of Supervisors during their Tahoe meeting January.
  • Is the funding upfront or reimbursable?
    • Funding for most projects/programs is reimbursable. If awarded, you will be asked to submit quarterly progress reports that will include amounts for reimbursement. After submission of the quarterly progress reports, staff at NTCA and Placer County will review the form and invoices and then will process reimbursement checks (provided the project/program is progressing as planned).
• How will I be notified about the status of my application?
  • All communication will happen through Submittable. Please make sure to check your junk mail and/or Submittable for updates on the status of your application or any other matters concerning your application.

Tips for Success:

• Google Chrome is the recommended browser for Submittable
• Make sure to add your collaborators to your submission (find out how below)
• While Submittable does auto-save your document, we highly recommend you fill out the application preview and paste your answers into Submittable.

FAQs:

Q: How do I get started as a new submitter?
A: Learn more in this article.

Q: How do I add a collaborator to my application?
A: We recommend you add collaborators to your application to help fill out the application and future progress reports. Check out the article on how to invite collaborators and an article on what to do when you receive a request from Submittable.

Q: I can’t find my submissions in my account. Where did they go?
A: Learn more in this article.

Q: What is the difference between objectives and tasks in the Scope of Work section?
A: Learn the difference here.

Q: What is the difference between KPIs and Outcomes in the Monitoring and Evaluation section?
A: Learn the difference here.

For additional information or assistance, please contact the NTCA team at [email protected] or Tara Hetz at [email protected].

You will apply through Submittable. The application deadline has been extended, and applications must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, August 30, 2024.