Reno ICO is a 100% volunteer organization that partners with schools and community organizations to promote individual growth and facilitate transformative experiences through snowshoeing, backpacking, hiking, rafting, rock climbing, camping and other activities, focusing on environmental and outdoor skills education and leadership development. We provide equitable access to the natural world so that all young people in our community appreciate and care about our natural environment.
We are grateful to our donors and grantors who enabled us to purchase clothing and equipment that enables us to take up to 35 participants at a time on all of these adventures. Now that we have acquired all of this gear, the donations and grants we receive are used to pay for the transportation, food and fees associated with ICO adventure trips. Some of our partner organizations provide a portion of the funding for trips, but most every trip is completely funded by Reno ICO. We are proud to have totally removed the monetary barriers to getting outdoors!
In April 2024, a poll was taken among trip leaders and partner organizations to determine whether Reno ICO should apply for the 2024-25 Nevada Outdoor Education and Recreation Grant Program. After reviewing the poll results and our current balances in our accounts, we have decided that with current grants and donations, we can make it through the next year without this funding source. We will look again next year to see if it makes sense to apply.
Thank you to all who participated in the poll. We are so very grateful to our donors who are keeping us going and making these trips happen!
If you would be willing to make a tax-deductible donation to support our trips, please click here. If you are interested in joining others who are contributing to Reno ICO via donor-advised funds, family foundations, or through your estate plan, please contact Rob Schamberg at robschamberg@gmail.com.
A huge note of gratitude to Suzy Bank-Schamberg for serving as the Reno ICO Treasurer! Combining Suzy’s mastery of the world of Sierra Club finances and her commitment to rapid reimbursement and pre-payment of ICO trip costs means that reimbursements to trip leaders, ICO Leadership Team members, and participant groups happen in a matter of a few days from when they submit their requests. Suzy also makes sure that Reno ICO is reimbursed for all expenses through the Sierra Club Foundation. Thanks, Suzy, for your commitment to excellence in managing our finances!
Also, Reno ICO thanks Sierra Club Toiyabe Chapter Treasurer Lisa Tilzey for her continual support and commitment to getting kids outdoors through helping us with our annual financial report and guiding the Toiyabe Chapter as they continue to support Reno ICO in so many ways.