Chico, California (April 28, 2008) – All local nonprofit organizations are invited to participate in an annual grant program that adds money to contributions received between August 1 and September 30. North Valley Community Foundation is offering $200,000 in percentage grants for nonprofits in Butte, Glenn, Tehama and Colusa counties. The Annie B’s Community Drive is designed to encourage giving to local nonprofits during a two-month donation period. Instructions for participation, plus the on line application, will be available starting May 1 at www.nvcf.org.

During the 2007 Annie B’s grant program, contributions for local nonprofits were enhanced by $100,000 from North Valley Community Foundation (NVCF), allowing donor’s gifts to make an even greater difference in the region. This supplemented $787,000 in donations received on behalf of local nonprofits.

Starting on August 1, nonprofit organizations participating in the “Annie B’s Community Drive” will ask their donors to make contributions. Checks are sent to NVCF by the donor. 100% of these donor contributions will go to the designated nonprofit, plus a share of the $200,000 in grant funds available monies will be added.

“Last year the Annie B’s Community Drive proved the incredible power of our communities coming together to improve the quality of life for everyone in our region. Thousands of donors took advantage of this grant program to maximize their giving. And, more than a hundred local nonprofits are a little stronger because of it”, says Alexa Valavanis, CEO of NVCF.

All nonprofit organizations in Butte, Glenn, Tehama and Colusa Counties are eligible to participate. This includes schools, service clubs, public libraries, and volunteer fire departments, in addition to conventional nonprofits that provide a wide variety of community services.

The goal of Annie B’s Community Drive is to increase support from donations and to help organizations fulfill their missions in sustainable ways. A celebration will be held at Chico City Plaza on October 11 involving all participating nonprofits and community supporters to announce the results.

“We are anticipating a big increase in the number of participating nonprofits and in the amount of donations”, says Lee Laney, Program Officer at NVCF. “Last year we introduced this new concept. Now that nonprofits and donors understand how Annie B’s works, more will get involved.”

NVCF is a nonprofit, philanthropic organization that builds financial resources to meet community needs through grants and programs.. With net assets of more than $5.5 million, NVCF provides financial and administrative services to donors, professional advisors and nonprofit organizations with the goal of enriching the quality of life for community members. Since 1986, hundreds of individuals, families, businesses, and community groups have established funds at the Foundation.

North Valley Community Foundation is one of approximately 700 community foundations throughout the United States that provides similar services. Each is dedicated to increasing philanthropy and improving and enriching the lives of community members in a specific geographic area.

The NVCF office is open Monday – Friday, 8am-5pm and by appointments on the weekends. NVCF is located at 3120 Cohasset Rd., Suite 8 in Chico, California. For information regarding the Annie B’s Community Drive, visit www.nvcf.org or contact NVCF Program Officer Lee Laney at 891-1150 extension 23.