The Almanor Foundation

04/28/2026

Just when we thought we could pack away the winter coats... Mother Nature threw us a curveball. ❄️

April sunshine? A tease. A surprise hailstorm? Sure, why not.

But brighter, warmer days are coming to Plumas County, and so is one of our favorite traditions. ☀️

The Lake Almanor Area Chamber’s Fourth of July fireworks don’t just magically happen. They happen because this community always shows up to make them possible.

If you love seeing the families gathered on the lake, the kids pointing at the sky, and that shared moment of awe, this is your chance to lay the groundwork. Let's make sure we light up the sky this July. 🎆

👇 How to help:
almanorfoundation.org/chamber-fireworks-fund - to donate to the Chamber’s Fireworks Fund today!

(And drop a ☀️ in the comments if you are officially ready for summer weather!)

04/24/2026

CTE in Action at Feather River College!

Our latest stop on the TAF Board’s career‑pathways tour took us to Feather River College—where hands‑on learning is preparing students with the skills, certifications, and experience employers need right now.

From applied fire management and outdoor leadership to nursing, welding, and agriculture, these programs are helping students turn passion into profession while strengthening our local workforce.

Every program we visited had a standout moment:
🔥 Students training alongside controlled burns
🌲 Outdoor leadership grads landing jobs before they finish
🚑 Nursing and EMT students practicing in advanced simulation labs
🔧 Welders competing nationally
🐎 One of the top equine programs in the country

This is what opportunity looks like in rural education.

And it’s happening right here at home.

04/21/2026

Your support helps us blossom! Got an old vehicle taking up space in the driveway? Let's put it to work for Plumas County. 🚗💨

That car, truck, or RV you aren’t using anymore can actually help lay the groundwork for our community's future. Instead of letting it sit, donating it to The Almanor Foundation directly fuels local initiatives...from youth programs to economic recovery.

We make the process easy. You clear out the driveway, and together, we turn your unused vehicle into real support to help our community blossom. 🌱

Ready to do some good? 👇
📞 Call: 855-500-7433
💻 Visit: careasy.org/the-almanor-foundation

04/17/2026

🔆CTE in Action at Indian Valley Academy 🔆

IVA’s CTE pathways are giving students real skills and real opportunities.

Food Service: 27 students earning certifications and running the Early Bird Café—learning cooking, customer service, and business operations.

Manufacturing: Welding instruction from a certified inspector plus hands-on design and 3‑D printing.

CTE is thriving at IVA—and preparing students for college, trades, and the workforce. TAF is proud to support programs that build skills and strengthen our community.

04/14/2026

April Showers Bring More Than May Flowers… They Bring Opportunity! ✨

As the rain falls, we’re reminded that growth begins with a little nurturing 🌱. Just like spring showers bring May flowers 💐, your support helps us continue to make a meaningful impact on Plumas County.

As Mother Nature wages a wet spring 💧, we are asking you to “water the work” 💦 of the foundation. Every donation—big or small—helps us continue to grow, serve, and make a difference where it’s needed most. 🤝

Donate Now- https://almanorfoundation.org/the-almanor-foundation-fund/

What a Community Foundation Does A community foundation brings together the financial resources of families, individuals and organizations who care about a specific place and then invests those resources back into the community. At The Almanor Foundation (TAF), we serve the communities of Plumas Cou...

04/09/2026

3.5 years. One shared mission. A stronger future for Plumas County.

In 2022, The Almanor Foundation partnered with LMNOP Design to tackle one of our county’s greatest challenges after the Dixie Fire: rebuilding and reimagining housing.

Today, that work has transformed into a countywide movement.
✨ What we built together:
▪️️Lake Almanor Basin Strategic Housing Plan
▪️Housing Assessment & Systems Map
▪️Early pilots like Build‑to‑Rent, Lease to Locals, and the launch of PlumasHousing.com
▪️A unified Plumas Housing Council with nonprofits, developers, employers, educators, and local leaders working side‑by‑side

These efforts have already fueled major initiatives — Welcome Home Greenville, Built for Plumas, and Move‑In Plumas — and created a level of collaboration rarely seen in rural communities.

💛 A heartfelt thank‑you to LMNOP for their vision, creativity, and relentless commitment. Their work laid the foundation for long‑term success.

🌱 A new chapter begins:
Please join us in welcoming Gary McFarland, who will lead the Plumas Housing Council and carry forward the Built for Plumas program through Plumas Rural Services.

TAF’s role is evolving, but our commitment remains unwavering. Together, we’re building a stronger, more resilient future for Plumas County.

04/07/2026

Education in Action: TAF Tours Portola High School’s CTE Programs

“Small, but we make it great.” This quote beautifully encapsulates the spirit of our recent visit to Portola High School.

Last week, TAF leaders had the incredible opportunity to explore the dynamic classrooms at Portola High, where creativity, skill-building, and real-world learning thrive every day. What we witnessed was nothing short of inspiring!

🍪 Culinary Pathways
We were greeted with “award-winning chocolate cookies” (yes, they were as delicious as they sound!) while students prepared oatmeal-raisin batches for the oven. With 4-5 catered events each year, these students are gaining invaluable hands-on experience in menu planning, food preparation, and hospitality—a true “taste” of their future careers!

🎨 Visual Arts Pathway
The energy was electric as students designed posters for school sports teams and created stickers and business cards for real clients. Even better—the funds they earn go right back into the program! Creativity + entrepreneurship = a powerful combination.

🔨 Building & Construction Pathway
From collaborative projects to constructing a storage shed for the school, students showcased teamwork, design thinking, and practical construction skills. These are the foundations of workforce readiness, and they’re learning them now!

As we wrap up our high school tours, we’re excited to move into the next chapter: visiting local businesses and fostering philanthropy alongside the remarkable work of these schools and teachers. Programs like Portola High’s are shaping the future of Plumas County—empowering students to stay local, build careers, and give back.

Stay tuned for more on how you can join us on this journey!

04/02/2026

CTE in Action: Westwood Students Turning Skills into Real-World Impact

At Westwood High School, Career and Technical Education (CTE) is where learning comes to life. TAF recently got an inspiring look at how Westwood students are gaining hands-on experience, building career-ready skills, and applying their learning in meaningful, real-world ways.

🎶 Performing Arts / Professional Music Pathway
Creativity meets technology as students learn the ins and outs of event production and sound engineering—all while developing their musical talent through structured guitar instruction. These students aren’t just making music; they’re mastering the technical skills behind live performances.

🎥 Digital Media Pathway
From photography to video production and editing, students are building professional-level media skills. One standout project: students planned, filmed, and produced an Active Shooter Drill training video for Chester High School—demonstrating how classroom learning can translate into work with real purpose and impact.

🔧 Agricultural Mechanics & Agricultural Science Pathways
Students combine welding, agricultural science, and college-prep coursework while gaining in-demand technical skills. With a strong FFA presence and hands-on projects—like restoring a horse trailer from the ground up—learning truly happens by doing.

TAF is impressed by how Westwood’s CTE programs connect education to high-demand careers, empowering students to explore their interests, discover their strengths, and build a strong foundation for their future.

03/31/2026

Chester High School CTE Programs: Continuing Education for the TAF Board

The board continues to be impressed by visiting Chester High School Career Technical Education (CTE) programs, touring three career pathways. All programs are hands-on learning and workforce-ready skills that prepare students for high-demand careers. These pathways show real-world experiences with real-world tasks:

🔹 Healthcare Pathway
Students “do” a hospital rotation, observing a wide range of healthcare careers in a medical environment.

🔹 Design, Visual & Media Arts Pathway
Already putting their creativity and technical skills to work, students are using Adobe programs to produce the school newspaper and yearbook.

🔹 Agriculture Mechanics Pathway
Welding, electrical, plumbing, construction, small engine repair – all the essential skills needed to run a farm are taught to our future farmers and ranchers.

Seeing students engaged and career-focused was a true “aha moment” for the board. We applaud the dedicated teachers and hardworking students. Thank you, Chester High School, for an inspiring tour!

03/26/2026

Quincy High School’s CTE Programs Continue to Impress 🚀

The TAF Board recently toured Quincy High School’s Career Technical Education (CTE) programs, where students are gaining hands-on, career-ready skills in high-demand industries.

🔧 Automotive Technology (Systems, Diagnostics, Service & Repair)
🍽️ Culinary Arts (Food Service & Hospitality)
🎨 Graphic Design (Design, Visual & Media Arts)

Students are experiencing powerful “aha moments” that connect classroom concepts, such as physics applied to combustion engines, to working in a commercial kitchen, providing a “live” look at career options.

Even more exciting? New opportunities like the Drone Pathway are expanding access to emerging careers across multiple industries.

We left inspired by the passion of the instructors and the drive of the students. These aren’t just classes, they’re launching pads for future success.

👇 Drop a 👏 in the comments to show some love for the Quincy High educators and students making this happen!

03/25/2026

The future of Plumas County is hands-on. 🙌

At The Almanor Foundation, we believe Career Technical Education is one of the most powerful ways to invest in our students, our workforce, and the future of our region.

Since November 2025, our team has been visiting CTE programs at Chester High, Westwood High, Quincy High, Indian Valley Academy, and Feather River College, with Portola High next on March 26!

What we’ve seen is inspiring: music production, graphic design, welding, culinary arts, agriculture, childcare, drone training, and so much more.

➡️This is what opportunity looks like.
➡️This is what local talent looks like.
➡️This is what building the future looks like.

In the weeks ahead, we’ll be sharing highlights from each school and the remarkable pathways being created right here in Plumas County.
Read more in our blog, From Housing to Workforce Development, at almanorfoundation.org/from-housing-to-workforce.

03/20/2026

From fledgling to full flight!

Our Full report is Available 🖱️ https://bit.ly/4rFqC9j

When The Almanor Foundation began in 2020, we knew Plumas County needed a hub to connect philanthropists, nonprofits, and community organizations. We did not have all the answers, but we had determination, and we had this community.

Then came the Dixie Fire.

What followed was a season of learning, responding, building, and growing together. Our 2025 Annual Report reflects just how far that journey has taken us:

✨$184,000 awarded in grants to local causes
✨16 fund accounts helping nonprofits streamline fundraising
✨Our first initiative, Sustainable Workforce Housing, successfully launched and now moving forward under the capable hands of Plumas Rural Services
✨Two community fundraisers that brought neighbors together
✨A new 2026 initiative ahead: Career Technical Education

We may be a little more grown up now, but our vision remains the same: to help Plumas County prosper for all who call it home.

Read the full report through the link in bio, and support our work - almanorfoundation.org/our-funds/ways-to-give.