The League of Women Voters encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. The LWV encourages people to join its efforts to educate and empower voters, and defend democracy and welcomes the participation of people of all genders and gender identities.

The League of Women Voters Education Fund is a nonpartisan public policy educational organization which:

• Builds citizen participation in the democratic process.
• Studies key community issues at all government levels in an unbiased manner.
• Enables people to seek positive solutions to public policy issues through education and conflict management.

Web pages

• National LWV Home - https://www.lwv.org/
• Nevada County - https://my.lwv.org/california/nevada-county
• Placer County - https://my.lwv.org/california/placer-county

VOTE411 provides nonpartisan information to the public with both general and state-specific information on aspects of the election process.

Some website features include:

• A personalized Voter's Guide with your ballot and candidate information
• A voting rules quick-view
• A guide to making your voting plan

Web pages

• Home - https://www.vote411.org/
• Personalized Voter's Guide - https://www.vote411.org/ballot
• Voting Rules Quick-View - https://www.vote411.org/voting-rules
• Make Your Voting Plan - https://www.vote411.org/make-your-plan

The Center for The Arts provides multiple performance and visual arts experiences and youth arts education programs.

It offers spaces for rent for various events, including:

• Concerts
• Meetings
• Film screenings
• Book signings
• Private parties

Web pages

• Home - https://thecenterforthearts.org/

Interfaith Food Ministry provides supplemental groceries, including baby formula and baby food when available, to low-income individuals and families.

People needing free supplemental groceries are allowed to come to IFM once every other week.

Food Distribution

• ​When? Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10am-1pm. Also, every Saturday from 10am-1pm in collaboration with United Way of Nevada County.
• Where? 440 Henderson Street, Grass Valley, CA 95945

Reservation System

• Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 10-11:30am - Reservations Only.
  11am-1pm First come, first served.
• Saturday: 10am-12pm - No Reservations. First come, first served.
• Make reservations on the IFM Portal.

Free Phones

Free phones (also known as lifeline phones or Obama phones) are available at Saturday food distributions for eligible low-income Nevada County residents. Eligibility is based on income. For example, people who receive CalFresh/EBT and Medi-Cal are eligible. Expect to present proof of income and have a photo ID.

• When? 8:30am-…

Habitat for Humanity builds affordable homes in partnership with local low-income families, and also offers the Habitat Home Ownership Program, which provides an opportunity for local, low-income families to purchase an affordable home in Nevada County.

Families are chosen based on three basic eligibility criteria:

• ​Need - family income is between 30% to 80% of the median income in Nevada County.
• Ability To Pay - verify that the family does have a steady income in order to successfully pay the monthly mortgage payments.
• Willingness To Partner with Habitat - The family agrees to do 500 "sweat equity" hours helping build their home or providing another service to the organization.

The NC Habitat Homeowner selection committee carefully reviews applications, conducts interviews, and makes home visits to ensure that the families selected have the greatest need and likelihood of success as homeowners.


Web pages

• Home - https://nchabitat.org/

Vitalant Grass Valley Blood Donation Center provides opportunities for eligible people to donate whole blood, platelets, and plasma at a permanent blood donation center in Grass Valley. Donations support local hospitals and emergency needs.

Web pages

• Home - https://www.vitalant.org/donate/locations/blood-donation-grass-valley

The Food Bank of Nevada County offers food distributions in various locations.  

Grass Valley - Western Nevada County
2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month from 10am-1pm
Grass Valley Seventh Day Adventist Church
12889 Osborn Hill Rd, Grass Valley, CA 95945

Higgins Corner - Grass Valley - Southern Nevada County
3rd Thursday of each month from 3:30-5:30pm
Sierra United Methodist Church (near Lake of the Pines)
22559 W. Hacienda Dr, Grass Valley, CA 95949

North San Juan
2nd Tuesday of each month from 10am-12pm
Oak Tree School
18847 Oak Tree Rd, North San Juan, CA 95959

Town of Washington
3rd Wednesday of each month at 12pm
Washington Fire Department
15406 Washington Rd, Washington, CA 95986

Truckee
Tuesday from 4pm-5pm
Sierra Community House
12116 Chandelle Way, Suite D2, Truckee, CA 96161
Call to confirm if weather or other factors might affect distributions. 775-545-4083

Income guidelines are posted under the USDA tab here.

Web pages

• Home - https://foodbankofnc.org/get-food-here
• Income Guide…

One Source – Empowering Caregivers provides cost-free, non-medical support to in-home caregivers and their clients.

This resource is eligible for electronic referral. One Source provides assessments for in-home family caregivers and clients to help create a specific plan to assist the in-home caregiver with respite and other resources.

Web pages

• Home - https://empoweringcaregivers.org/

The Nevada County Diaper Project Program provides diapers to young, low-income families who struggle to provide diapers for their babies. Distributes diapers throughout Nevada County at various locations.

Conducts frequent diaper drives and fundraisers to help keep the supply of diapers sufficient to meet the output of several hundred diapers per week.

Diaper Distribution Sites

• Food Bank of Nevada County
• Interfaith Food Ministry
• LivingWell Medical Clinic
• PARTNERS Family Resource Centers in Penn Valley and San Juan Ridge
• Sierra Pines United Methodist Church

Web pages

• Home - https://www.nevadacountydiaperproject.org/

This is a Ready to Grow (R2G) resource. Ready to Grow is a First 5 Nevada County program to connect children 0-5 with services and information that support their well-being. Organizations with programs that have this R2G tag may have additional programs of interest to families.

The Nevada County Historical Society North Star Mining Museum provides museum that houses a collection of hard rock mining equipment, including a 30-foot Pelton wheel. The site has a picnic area in the adjacent Glenn Jones Park. Outside displays include a rare operational Cornish Pump that was used to remove water from deep within mine shafts.


Web pages

• Home - https://nevadacountyhistory.org/