November 17, 2011(Stateline, Nev.) – The American Century Championship (http://www.TahoeCelebrityGolf.com/) is keeping $100,000 in the community that helps make the annual event a success. LIVESTRONG®, the celebrity golf tournament’s nationally designated charity, in partnership with Tahoe South (http://TahoeSouth.com/), NBC Sports and American Century Investments has committed funds to benefit South Lake Tahoe area non-profit organizations.

South Lake Tahoe area non-profit organizations are encouraged to apply for donations through Nov. 30, 2011. Visit http://ltva.org/documents/ACG_2011_Funding_Application.pdf to download the Application form. Recipients will be announced Dec. 5 and checks will be presented at the LTVA board meeting, Dec. 8 at 3p.m.

A committee of tournament representatives will review each submission. For funding consideration, organizations must meet 501(c)3 certified non-profit guidelines and complete the formal donation request. The American Century Championship Contribution Committee will distribute awards ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 in 2011. In the request, each organization is asked to outline its mission, specifically detail how the donation will be used, and expected impact in the community.

Local non-profit organizations must have requests for donations received in writing by 5 p.m., Nov 30, 2011 to:

American Century Championship Contribution Committee

P.O. Box 5878

Stateline, NV 89449

“The tournament has once again demonstrated its benefits to the South Shore area with another $100,000 toward local organizations who need assistance,” said Carol Chaplin, executive director of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. “We’re proud to be partners with LIVESTRONGâ, American Century Investments, NBC Sports and Edgewood Tahoe to provide international recognition for the destination and financial support to the community.”

For the sixth consecutive year the official tournament charity was LIVESTRONG® – the foundation established by cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong to inspire and empower people affected by the disease. The tournament is a backdrop for fundraising and helps build awareness of key LIVESTRONGâ cancer survivorship initiatives. Collaborating with LIVESTRONG® is a natural fit for American Century Investments given the fact that more than 40 percent of the asset management firm’s profits go to fund research for the prevention and cure of gene-based diseases such as cancer. Since the tournament’s inception in 1990, more than $3.5 million has been raised for a variety of national and local charities.

Last year, 19 Lake Tahoe area non-profits received donations courtesy of LIVESTRONGâ.

More than two decades of memories plus sports and entertainment superstars has made the American Century Championship network television’s longest running celebrity golf tournament. The annual event celebrated its 22nd year in Lake Tahoe, attracting a record 40,165 fans.

The 2011 tournament will be re-broadcast on the Golf Channel this holiday season, Friday, Nov. 25, Saturday, Nov. 26 and Sunday, Nov. 27, at 7:30 p.m. EST; and again on Thursday, Dec. 22, Friday, Dec. 23 and Saturday, Dec. 24 at 8 p.m. EST.

Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Tony Romo, Ray Romano, Bode Miller, Troy Aikman, and Jerry Rice were among 82 sports and entertainment stars and Hall of Famers competing in the 54-hole, $600,000 tournament on NBC Sports.

The 23nd annual American Century Championship is July 17-22, 2012.