Lake Tahoe non-profits receive $85,000 from American Century Championship

Another $85,000 was given to 19 Lake Tahoe area non-profits by the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority (LTVA) and American Century Championship on Thursday. The money comes from the 2021 celebrity golf tournament at Edgewood Tahoe in July.

Normally an in-person check presentation event, this year's awardees were announced during a virtual meeting of the LTVA board.

“To be able to assist, particularly groups impacted by the Caldor Fire, was especially gratifying for the LTVA and the Tahoe Douglas Visitors Authority,” said Carol Chaplin, president and CEO of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. “Our partnership with American Century Investments and NBC Sports continues to lend itself to the betterment of the area.”

The LTVA in partnership with NBC Sports, American Century Investments, Korbel and Edgewood Tahoe previously directed an additional $60,000 through on-site volunteer organizations and other efforts during tournament week. This is a total of $145,000 for local groups from the week-long event, the South Shore's largest annual special event.

The challenges to the community presented by impacts of the Caldor Fire lent additional urgency to the distributions.

Grants were distributed to Bread and Broth 4 Kids, CASA El Dorado, Clean Tahoe Program, Clean up the Cayes (for Clean up the Lake efforts), Friends of Ski Run, Heavenly Ski Patrol Fund, Hope Lutheran Church of the Sierra, Kiwanis Club of Lake Tahoe, Live Violence Free, South Lake Tahoe Cancer League, Suicide Prevention Network, Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association, Tahoe Magic, Tahoe Prosperity Center, Tahoe Rim Trail Association, Tahoe Youth & Family Services, Whittell Boosters Club, Zephyr Cove Parents Club, and the Community Disaster Resource Center.

To be considered, local organizations were required to meet 501(c)3 certified nonprofit guidelines, provide an outline of their mission, and describe how the donation would be used and indicate its impact in the community.

NBC, NBCSN and GOLF Channel coverage highlighted Lake Tahoe for more than 18 hours and reinforced the destination’s appeal. The tournament followed strict health and safety standards outlined by the medical and governmental agencies – attendance was limited to approximately 25,000, or about half of previous years, and avoided any health-related incidents.

Since 2009, donations exceeding $1.65 million have been distributed to more than 120 local non-profits to assist 15,000+ individuals.

Since its inception in 1990, the American Century Championship has donated more than $5.6 million to local and national non-profits. The nation’s longest running celebrity golf tournament captured the television spotlight with superstars Justin Timberlake, Stephen Curry, Patrick Mahomes, Tony Romo, Charles Barkley, Aaron Rodgers, Larry the Cable Guy, and Hall of Famers and All-Stars representing major sports.

The 33rd annual American Century Championship is July 6-10, 2022. For more information, visit: www.AmericanCenturyChampionship.com or www.TahoeSouth.com.