American Century donates $55,500 to Lake Tahoe non-profits

Thirty South Lake Tahoe non-profits were given a share of $55,600 on Thursday, bringing the total the American Century Golf Championships have donated to the community this year to $107,100.

The announcement and check presentations were made at the Lake Tahoe Visitor's Authority's board meeting on November 12. The LTVA, in partnership with NBC Sports and American Century Investments, previously directed an additional $51,500 through on-site volunteer organizations and other efforts during tournament week to area high schools, Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe, South Lake Tahoe Booster Club, Boys and Girls Club of South Lake Tahoe, and the Gene Upshaw Scholarship. Combined with the latest nonprofit distribution gifts, tournament sponsors have committed $107,100 to South Shore based nonprofits, agencies and schools.

“From coats and food for kids, medical transportation, family/senior housing, environmental initiatives/events, civic engagement, mentoring, textbooks, and art programs in schools the funding allows us to assist a variety of valuable efforts in our community,” said Carol Chaplin, executive director of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. “We appreciate the long standing partnership with American Century and NBC Sports and look forward to offering more ways to give back.”

Grants ranging from $500 - $7,500 were distributed to Assistance League of Sierra Foothills, BATS Bringing Art to Schools, Big Brothers Big Sisters of El Dorado County, Boys and Girls Club of Lake Tahoe, Bread & Broth 4 Kids, CASA El Dorado, Clean Tahoe Program, Food Bank El Dorado County, H.E.R.O. Scholarship Fund, Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition, Lake Tahoe Educational Fund, Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School, Live Violence Free, Juvenile Service Council of El Dorado County, Kahle Community Center, Kelly Ridge, Kiwanis Community Organization Inc. (Coats for Kids), Saint Joseph Community Land Trust, South Lake Tahoe Cancer League, South Lake Tahoe Police Activities League, South Tahoe Vikings Booster Club, Tahoe Arts Project, Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue, Tahoe Prosperity Center, Tahoe Regional Young Professionals, Tahoe Senior Plaza, Tahoe Magic, Tahoe Youth & Family Services, Whittell Booster Club, and Zephyr Cove Elementary School.

To be considered, local organizations had to meet 501(c)3 certified nonprofit guidelines, provide an outline of their mission, describe how the donation would be used and indicate impact in the community. This year, LTVA received $205,000 in grant requests.

Since 2009, donations exceeding $800,000 have been distributed to more than 80 local nonprofits to assist 10,500+ individuals.

Since its inception in 1990, the tournament has donated over $4.5 million to local and national nonprofits. The nation’s longest running celebrity golf tournament captured the media spotlight with first-timer Justin Timberlake joining the field of famed sports stars, legends and celebrity competitors including returning fan favorites Charles Barkley, John Elway and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, plus Larry the Cable Guy, Willie Robertson of Duck Dynasty and 15 Hall of Famers representing major sports.

The 27th annual American Century Championship is July 19-24, 2016. For more information, visit: www.TahoeCelebrityGolf.com or www.TahoeSouth.com.