United Auburn Indian Community awards third round of charitable contributions in 2004 – $250,000 given to local organizations
PLACER COUNTY, CA – The United Auburn Indian Community announced
their 2004 third quarter charitable donations totaling $250,000 to
strengthen regional programs and services in Placer County. The
Community Giving Program – a philanthropic branch of tribal government
established by the Tribe in March 2004 – will provide up to $1 million
annually to nonprofit organizations supporting needs in education,
health, arts and humanities, environment, community development and
social services.
Beneficiaries of the Community Giving Program contributions during the
third quarter include Placer Land Trust, the Assistance League of
Greater Placer and Sierra College – Roseville Gateway Campus.
Founded in 1991 as a community-based private nonprofit organization
dedicated to preserving lands that hold valuable natural, historic, and
agricultural resources, Placer Land Trust works with landowners, public
agencies, private organizations and local communities to permanently
preserve natural open spaces and agricultural lands in Placer County
for future generations. The gift from the Community Giving Program will
be applied towards the organization’s “Giant Gap Project” capital
campaign. Dollars raised as part of the capital campaign will be used
to purchase 630 acres within the North Fork American River Wild and
Scenic River corridor.
The Tribe also donated to the Assistance League of Greater Placer, an
all-volunteer agency involved with 19 philanthropic activities ranging
from providing dictionaries to school children to creating rape crisis
kits for victims. The contribution from the Community Giving Program
will underwrite the costs of Operation School Bell which supplies a
variety of items to needy students, including clothing, shoes, jackets,
personal grooming kits and school supplies. Last year more than 4,200
children were identified and assisted by the Assistance League of
Greater Placer.
As one of 109 community colleges in California, Sierra College works to
serve the evolving needs of individuals and businesses throughout the
region. The Roseville Gateway Campus of Sierra College offers courses
in Business and Technology, Liberal Studies, Science and Mathematics
and Physical Education and houses exclusively the English as a Second
Language (ESL), Nursing, and Public Safety programs. Currently the
Gateway campus’ learning/technology center is located in a small room
and composed of only one table, ten chairs and four computers. With the
Tribe’s donation, the center will be moved to a larger facility renamed
the UAIC Learning/Technology Center and additional computer equipment
will be purchased.
“It is a great honor to be able to support so many worthy organizations
that are committed to educating, inspiring and supporting the community
at large,” said Jessica Tavares, chairwoman of the United Auburn Indian
Community and the Casino’s Business Board. “Those affiliated with these
groups are to be commended for their generous gifts of time, dedication
and heart.”
Other beneficiaries of the United Auburn Indian Community’s Giving
Program third quarter donations include the Roseville Community School,
Rocklin Elementary School, Skyridge Elementary School, American Legion
War Memorial Fund, Todds Valley Miwok-Maidu Cultural Foundation, PRIDE
Industries, Placer Independent Resource Services, The Gold Country Toy
Run and Lincoln Arts and Cultural Foundation.
The United Auburn Indian Community, founders of the Community Giving
Program, is located in Placer County, California near the city of
Lincoln where it owns and operates the successful Thunder Valley
Casino. A federally recognized Indian tribe, the United Auburn Indian
Community is a sovereign government, making the establishment of its
philanthropic fund even more unique. The Tribe receives no tax
advantage for making a charitable contribution to any group.
The Community Giving Program will not be used for loans, deficits or
retroactive funding, advertising or promotional sponsorships,
religious-based activities, individuals, or political candidates,
parties or legislative causes. For more information on the United
Auburn Indian Community’s charitable fund, contact Kris Martin at (916)
251-1512.
