Our Washoe Fund Advisory Board
The Washoe Sustainability Fund is guided by a volunteer Advisory Board made up of subject matter experts, each of whom brings unique experience of the challenges and opportunities our region faces. Together, they are committed to bringing meaningful solutions to the people, economy and quality of life here in Washoe County.
The Fund’s Advisory Board (“the Board”) establishes the strategic direction of the Fund, assists with the development of project proposals as needed, and decides which projects to fund based on these criteria through a transparent, democratic process. A representative of the Community Foundation serves as a non-voting member of the Board as Treasurer.
NOTE: Smart, savvy, results-oriented Fund Advisory Board committed to our community is seeking a fifth member; someone experienced in innovative, impactful and equitable finance and investing. Nominate yourself or someone you know by contacting us here. We would love to talk.
Brian Beffort
Founding Board Member
Born at Washoe Medical Center, Brian has spent the bulk of his career focused on protecting public lands and bringing sustainable solutions to our community. As Washoe County’s Sustainability Manager, he is advancing the County’s Climate Action Plan to reduce carbon emissions and enhance resilience across buildings, transportation and waste management in our community. With the loss of federal investment in our communities, he’s excited about the potential of this fund – and your support – to drive local investment toward meaningful solutions for our community.
Peter Gower
Founding Board Member
Peter Gower arrived in Washoe County in 1981 and decided to stay. He graduated from the Washoe County public school system and UNR. You can generally find him hanging out with his family, moving about somewhere in the mountains, or figuring out how to address climate change as The Nature Conservancy’s Climate and Renewable Energy Program Director for the Western US and Canada.
Kimberly Rios
Founding Board Member
Kimberly (Kim) Rios has served as the Sustainability Education Manager at Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful (KTMB) for the past 10 years. In this role, she leads the development and growth of KTMB’s community education and outreach programs, while also supporting businesses throughout Washoe County in achieving certification through the Nevada Green Business Network. Kim is a certified Zero Waste Associate through Zero Waste USA.
Manny Becerra
Founding Board Member
A Reno Planning Commissioner and leader of the Truckee Meadows Data Center Policy Consortium, Manny Becerra works at the intersection of policy, community, and emerging industries and land uses. He is drawn to Washoe Sustainability Fund’s mission of advancing climate resilience and sustainability in Washoe County communities through community-sourced project investments. He believes durable progress on sustainability happens when policy leadership, private-sector momentum, and community voice move together, decisively, toward outcomes that are equitable and built to last. He sees the Fund, hosted by the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada, as exactly that kind of vehicle.
Washoe County communities need more investment in solutions that clean our air, lower energy costs for consumers, and improve public health and quality of life; solutions that invest in our shared resilient future.
After the loss of federal and state investment in northern Nevada’s sustainability and climate solutions, the task falls to us locally to invest in the solutions our community needs. Private donors have joined forces to create this Fund – a charitable component fund at the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada – as a pipeline to direct charitable investments and convene conversations toward local solutions. Join us to make good things happen!
Currently, we are launching the site, fundraising and finalizing our Advisory Board and charter. Anticipated date of first grants is Summer 2026. Join the conversation through our contact form, or submit a proposal idea here.
Who manages the Washoe Sustainability Fund?
The Fund’s Advisory Board – comprising volunteer experts from the community – evaluates project proposals and recommends funding. The Board of the Community Foundation has final authority over which and how projects are funded. Nominations are currently being accepted for the Advisory Board.
Who can apply for funding from the fund?
Tax-exempt municipalities, agencies and nonprofits in Washoe County are eligible to apply for funding. Projects are selected based on their community impact and the needs identified by the Advisory Board, ensuring that the most pressing issues are addressed.
How does the fund support community projects?
The Fund provides financial support for projects that demonstrate measurable benefits in carbon reduction, public health, and community resilience. Grants can be made to eligible organizations including 501(c)(3) nonprofits, educational institutions, and governmental entities.
What types of projects are prioritized for funding?
The Fund is designed to support projects that tangibly reduce emissions and waste and improve public health and quality of life in Washoe County. Because some outcomes cannot be measured by a spreadsheet, the Fund’s Advisory Board has the authority to support ambitious and innovative projects whose success may not be captured by quantifiable metrics.
Have an idea for a project? Submit a proposal or contact us to discuss.
How can individuals contribute to the fund?
Individuals can contribute to the Washoe Sustainability Fund through tax-deductible donations to the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada. Contributions help finance critical projects that address climate change and enhance public health, making a direct impact on the community’s sustainability efforts. Please donate today. EIN: 88-0370179
What is the long-term vision for the fund?
The Fund will be successful when it attracts and directs investment to significantly improve public health and resiliency outcomes in Washoe County; when it encourages investment unencumbered by politics or administrative burden; and when it fosters community engagement around climate action and sustainability best practices; and when it makes our communities safer and healthier.