Kings Beach
Located on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe, Kings Beach has been a priority for the Cowell foundation for more than seven years. It is a community that is as complex as it is diverse.
Because of the employment potential provided by its booming tourist industry, Kings Beach experienced a large influx of Latino immigrants in the early- to mid-1990s. After arriving, however, many of these newcomers found themselves struggling to get by.
Today more than 17 percent of all Kings Beach families and 1-in-5 children under age 18 are living in poverty. In addition to a lack of affordable housing and family supports, children who speak English as a second language endure challenges daily in school as educators struggle to keep pace with the new majority of English Learners.
Mindful of these growing community needs and their alignment with our programmatic priorities, the Cowell Foundation has made 35 grants totaling more than $2.6 million to community organizations throughout Kings Beach since January 2000.
Our support has deepened over time because of the willingness of local organizations and residents to engage and collaborate on behalf of children and families.
Thanks to the combined efforts of local leaders and Cowell grantmaking, many changes can be seen in Kings Beach. These include:
- The creation of a Family Resource Center that serves as a hub of community activity and support
- A new clubhouse for the Boys and Girls Club with daily attendance up by 40 percent since opening in 2003
- Better academic performance by students at the elementary and nearby secondary schools, and increased attendance by families at school events
- A regional employers association that advocates for the development of affordable workforce housing
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The Cowell Foundation is proud of the role we have played as a catalyst for necessary community change. At the same time, we are mindful of the need to ensure that progress and growth can be sustained long after our work in Kings Beach is complete.
That is why Cowell helped the Truckee Tahoe Community Foundation (created as a resource for local nonprofits) to increase its endowment. In 2004 this community funder awarded more than $900,000 in grants locally. In addition, we helped the North Lake Tahoe Truckee Leadership Program launch, grow and stabilize by providing scholarships for leaders throughout the community.
