Our Mission

Think big. Make a difference.

Guests seated along Ski Run Boulevard at the Longest Dinner Table
Great ideas and the people that power them

Our mission is to think big and make a difference in South Lake Tahoe through innovative programs in our three core operating pillars: FEED, READ, and LEAD.

Vision

An incredible place to live for the people that call Tahoe home.

Lake Tahoe is a renowned destination for people all over the world, but it should also be an incredible place to live for the people that call Tahoe home. Tahoe locals face the onslaught of intense weather, millions of visitors, strained resources, and lack of opportunity. The Marcella Foundation was founded with deep love for the community and a belief that it’s time to think bigger about what is possible. We want to invest in great ideas and the people that power them.

It’s time to think bigger about what is possible.

Community members gathered outside by the lake for a FeedTahoe event
The people that call Tahoe home
Aerial view of the Longest Dinner Table on Ski Run Boulevard

Values

Founded on entrepreneurship and thinking outside the box.

We offer grants and opportunities to people and organizations that think bigger and differently about problem solving. The Marcella Foundation was founded on the premise of entrepreneurship and thinking outside the box. We strive to bring these values into our grantmaking and direct program operations. We value:

  1. 01

    Great people and great ideas

    We want to partner with great people who are willing to test ideas that solve big problems in our community.

  2. 02

    Systems Change

    We value ideas that confront the cause rather than a symptom of an issue so that we can make a lasting impact together.

  3. 03

    Resilience

    It takes courage to put a new idea into the world. When ideas don’t go as planned we value willingness to adapt and embrace failure so that we can continuously learn.

  4. 04

    Transparency

    We value honest conversations about project impact and strive to make decisions that are data driven and transparent.