South Shore non-profits receive $51,000 from American Century Championship

American Century Championship continues to impact the South Shore of Lake Tahoe, even months after the annual tournament is over. Since its inception in 1990, the tournament has donated more than $4.5 million to local and national non-profits.

On Thursday, the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority and American Century Investments gave 30 local organizations checks in the amount of $500 to $5,000 to help them serve the community.

Grants were awarded to American Youth Soccer Organization, Barton Foundation, Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe, Bread & Broth 4 Kids, Bringing Art to Schools, Christmas Cheer All Year, El Dorado County Habitat for Humanity, El Dorado County Search & Rescue, Juvenile Service Council of El Dorado County, Kahle Community Center, Kelly Ridge, Kiwanis Community Organization Inc. (Coats for Kids), Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition, Lake Tahoe Community College Foundation, Lake Tahoe Educational Fund, Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School, Lake Tahoe Epic Curling, Lake Tahoe Unified School District, Live Violence Free, Rotary of South Lake Tahoe, Saint Joseph Community Land Trust, Soroptimist International of Tahoe Sierra, South Lake Tahoe Cancer League, South Tahoe Vikings Booster Club, Tahoe Arts Project, Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless, Tahoe Magic, Tahoe Regional Young Professionals, Tahoe Senior Plaza, Tahoe Turning Point, Tahoe Youth & Family Services, and Whittell High School Booster Club.

Prior to Thursday, and additional $49,000 was given to volunteer organizations that worked at the event, including Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe, South Lake Tahoe Vikings Booster Club, Douglas County Search and Rescue, and the Gene Upshaw Memorial Scholarship.

“The generous donations from American Century and NBC Sports assist numerous local initiatives and nonprofits that have long-lasting impacts on our community,” said Carol Chaplin, president and CEO of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. “The effect of the celebrity golf tournament is felt year-round for area nonprofits and businesses.”

Kelly Ness from American Century Investments was on hand at the November 9 meeting to celebrate the giveaway. She said the company gives 40 percent of their dividends to fund medical research, totaling $1.3 billion to date.

"Giving back and making an impact to society is in our DNA," said Ness.

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

"The tournament helps the community on so many different levels," said Jerry Bindel, LTVA board president.

The 2017 tournament was the most successful to date with 55,801 people passing through the gate. Edgewood Tahoe and NBC Sports have a contract to run the tournament on the South Shore through 2022.

The 29th annual American Century Championship is July 10-15, 2018. For more information, visit: www.AmericanCenturyChampionship.com or www.TahoeSouth.com.