South Lake Tahoe, Calif. / Nev….The 2013 American Century Championship (http://www.TahoeCelebrityGolf.com) continues to benefit Tahoe South as the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority (http://www.TahoeSouth.com) distributed $85,000 to 28 non-profit groups through funds raised during the annual celebrity golf tournament.

The announcement was made at the organization’s Nov. 14 board meeting. The LTVA, in partnership with NBC Sports and American Century Investments, previously directed an additional $60,000 through on-site volunteer efforts during tournament week to area high schools, Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe and others. Combined with the latest non-profit distribution gifts, tournament sponsors have committed more than $145,000 to Tahoe South based non-profits, agencies and schools.

“The American Century Championship happens once a year but it gives to the community every day in more ways than one,” said Carol Chaplin, executive director of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. “Our long-term partnership with American Century and NBC Sports is firmly rooted in our community. The event positively impacts the destination through national marketing and media exposure. But just as important, American Century and NBC lend their support to area organizations that need the help.”

Tournament title sponsor American Century Investments is a leading, privately-controlled investment management firm serving professionals, institutions, corporations and individuals. Through its ownership structure, more than 40 percent of company profits support research to help find cures for genetically-based diseases including cancer, diabetes and dementia.

Local cancer support programs involving the Barton Memorial Hospital Foundation and the Cancer League received $13,000. Tahoe Youth and Family Services and The Boys & Girls Club each received $8,000 with $5,000 each to Christmas Cheer All Year and Live Violence Free. Grants of $4,000 went to Bijou PTA, Kahle Community Center and Tahoe Arts Project. Programs receiving $500 – $3,500 included Lake Tahoe Education Foundation, Whittell Boosters, Assistance League, Kiwanis Club of Lake Tahoe, Lake Tahoe Community College, Suicide Prevention Network, Food Bank of El Dorado County, Tahoe Community Food Pantry, South Tahoe High School Performing Arts Booster Association, Carmel Senior Living/Kelly Ridge, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, El Dorado County Search and Rescue, Leadership Lake Tahoe, Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care, Tahoe Douglas Rotary, Tahoe Magic Inc., Tahoe Senior Plaza, and Lake Tahoe Shining Stars.

To be considered, local organization had to meet 501(c)3 certified non-profit guidelines, provide an outline of their mission, describe how the donation will be used and indicate impact in the community.

Since 2009, more than 80 checks have been cut to local non-profits with donations totaling $630,000. In addition to the local efforts, American Century Investments distributed $30,000 among three national cancer organizations.

The tournament has donated over $4.2 million to local and national non-profits since its inception in 1990. The 24 years of memories with sports and entertainment superstars have made the American Century Championship network television’s longest running celebrity golf tournament. Charles Barkley, Olympic Olympics Gold Medal great Michael Phelps, Ray Romano, Larry the Cable Guy, John Elway and Jerry Rice were among more than 80 sports and entertainment stars and Hall of Famers who competed in the 54-hole, $600,000 tournament televised on NBC Sports in July.

Major plans for the silver anniversary are underway. The 25th annual American Century Championship is July 15-20, 2014. For more information, visit: www.TahoeCelebrityGolf.com or www.TahoeSouth.com.