LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – The Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority distributed an additional $82,000 allocated from American Century Investments among 41 area nonprofit organizations resulting from the 37th annual American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament in July, raising the 2026 local donations total to $114,000.
As the tournament’s destination sponsor, the LTVA organizes the South Shore’s most impactful special event, coordinating with partners NBC Sports and American Century Investments to ensure a successful and memorable experience for fans, locals, celebrities, media and nonprofits.
Grants were distributed to: Between Horses and Humans, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Sierra, Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe, Bread and Broth, Carson Valley Magic, Christmas Cheer All Year, Douglas County Community Services Foundation, Douglas County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue, El Dorado Search & Rescue Council, Encompass Youth, Expand-able Horizons, Family Support Council of Douglas County, Heavenly Ski Patrol Fund, Human Good Foundation, Incredible Kids, Lake Tahoe Historical Society, Moxy Up, Nevada Cowboy Experience, Partnership Douglas County, Project Prom of Northern Nevada, Ron Wood Family Resource Center, Semper Flies Foundation, South Lake Tahoe Family Resource Center, South Tahoe Vikings Booster Club, Special Olympics of Northern California, Suicide Prevention Center, Tahoe Alliance for Safe Kids, Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association, Tahoe Art League, Tahoe Arts Project, Tahoe CERT Team, Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless, Tahoe Douglas Fire Prevention District, Tahoe Rim Trail Association, Tahoe Youth & Family Services, Tallac Hotshots, Sugar Pine Foundation, Toys for Tots, Vista Rise Collective, Whittell Boosters Club, Zephyr Cove Parents Club.
“Assisting our community organizations who help so many others is such a meaningful benefit of an event that contributes to the betterment of the overall area,” said Carol Chaplin, president and CEO of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. “The commitment of our tournament partners, American Century Investments, NBC Sports, Edgewood Tahoe, Harrah’s/Caesars Republic, and our lodging and casino properties with the recent four-year extension through 2030 also portends ongoing support for area non-profits.”
“I’m proud that the American Century Championship continues to expand its impact each year, generating significant support for organizations that make Lake Tahoe a stronger community,” said Jonathan Thomas, chairman, CEO and president of American Century Investments. “That commitment to creating positive outcomes reflects the purpose that defines our company at the intersection of health and wealth.” American Century Investments serves clients through disciplined investment strategies and annually directs 40% of its dividends to medical research.
Other contributions during the event included an annual $10,000 commitment from NBC and American Century Investments to support the South Tahoe Recreation & Aquatic Center with baseball and sports equipment. It was initiated in 2024 in memory of Tim Wakefield, the former Boston Red Sox pitcher and longtime participant in the tournament.
NBC also continued its Gene Upshaw Memorial Scholarship with the Lake Tahoe Community College awarding $10,000 to student Valery Gonzalez towards her studies at Chico State University.
The tournament also provided $12,000 to the South Lake Tahoe Football Boosters for their ecological service during the tournament, raising 2026 local donations to $114,000.
To be considered, local organizations were required to meet 501(c)3 certified nonprofit status, provide an outline of their mission, and describe how the donation would be used and indicate its impact in the community.
Under a separate arrangement with the tournament’s concessionaire, several service clubs and organizations also received funds for staffing food and beverage booths during the five days of the event.
Since 2009, donations exceeding $1.5 million have been distributed to more than 90 Tahoe area non-profits to assist 12,000+ individuals.
LTVA has provided funding, marketing expertise, volunteer crew organization, and partnered with community and business associations to ensure South Tahoe as ACC host site since its inception in 1990. The economic impact is over $40 million during a five day period, significantly lifting lodging occupancy, retail, restaurant and other activities and attraction revenues.
The American Century Championship is conducted annually at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Stateline, Nev. The area’s largest annual special event featured 90 sports and entertainment celebrities in a 54-hole competition aired on NBC Sports, NBCSN and Peacock. American Century Investments, the event’s title sponsor since 1999, continues its role in partnership with NBC Sports,theLake Tahoe Visitors Authority, Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course and the South Tahoe community. Since its inception in 1990, the American Century Championship has donated more than $8.5 million to local and national non-profits. For tournament information and updates: AmericanCenturyChampionship.
The 38th annual American Century Championship is July 7-11, 2027. For more information, visit: www.