Chico, California (August 29, 2007) – Local residents are encouraged to make a donation to one of almost 100 local nonprofits that are participating in the Annie B’s Community Drive between August 15 and October 11. North Valley Community Foundation is offering $500,000 in challenge grants (over five years) for nonprofits in Butte, Glenn, Tehama and Colusa counties. The Annie B’s Community Drive is designed to encourage giving to local nonprofits. A complete list of participating nonprofits is available at www.nvcf.org.

In October, participating nonprofits will receive $100,000 in grants from North Valley Community Foundation (NVCF). Amounts are based upon donations received during the community drive. Participating nonprofits are working actively to attract donations through direct mail, newsletters, and other solicitations. A formal “kickoff” to the Annie B’s Community Drive took place Thursday, August 16, in downtown Chico at the Thursday Night Farmer’s Market.

“Annie B’s is a great program designed to encourage philanthropy throughout the region,” states Alexa Valavanis, Executive Director of the Community Foundation. “During the first week, we received almost $60,000 in donations. All community members can participate in Annie B’s Community Drive. So far, gifts range from $20,000 to $5. Participating organizations are working in all segments of the charitable sector, and donors are demonstrating they are ready to make generous contributions. We have even instituted an on line giving option, to make it as convenient as possible.”

On August 15, nonprofit organizations participating in the Annie B’s Community Drive started asking donors to make contributions. Checks are sent to NVCF by the donor. 100% of these donor contributions go to the designated nonprofit, plus a share of the $100,000 in grant funds monies will be added.

The $100,000 in grants is made possible through generous gifts to North Valley Community Foundation. The project originated with a gift of $250,000 (to be used over five years) from a local donor. This has been supplemented with large gifts from Co-Challengers, including New Urban Builders, the Safor Corporation, and Prudential California Realty. Additional donors include Tittle & Company and Harvest Accounting and Management Systems.

The program is open to all local nonprofit organizations and includes a process for online giving. The goal of Annie B’s Community Drive is to increase support from donations and to help organizations fulfill their missions in sustainable ways. In addition to checks and on-line giving, gifts of stocks, real estate, and other tangible assets are welcome.

A celebration will be held at Bidwell Mansion on October 13 involving all participating nonprofits and community supporters to announce the results. The Community Foundation expects to duplicate a similar effort in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, that raised $6 million last year and $45 million over the past 10 years.

NVCF is a nonprofit, philanthropic organization that builds financial resources to meet community needs through grants and programs primarily for residents in the Butte, Colusa, Glenn and Tehama Counties. With net assets of over $4 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, over 200 individuals, families, businesses, and community groups have established funds at the Foundation.

North Valley Community Foundation is one of approximately 750 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, (530) 891-1150. For questions regarding the Annie B’s Community Drive contact NVCF Program Officer Alexa Valavanis at extension 23 or visit www.nvcf.org.

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