American River Bankshares : Bank Foundation Donates $150,000 to Nonprofit Organizations

Sacramento, CA, January 10, 2018 - American River Bank, a subsidiary of American River Bankshares [NASDAQ-GS: AMRB], today announced that the American River Bank Foundation (the Foundation) will be awarding $150,000 to 20 nonprofit organizations in Northern California. Since 2004, the Foundation has awarded $1,133,000 to 56 different organizations.
'The American River Bank Foundation is pleased to announce it will be donating $150,000 to 20 outstanding organizations. This heart-felt contribution was made possible with the great kindness and generosity of our employees, Board, clients, partners and sponsors.' said David E. Ritchie, Jr., President of the Foundation, as well as President and CEO of American River Bank. 'The Foundation is committed to supporting our local communities by financially sponsoring organization that enhance self-esteem, create opportunity and provide physical and emotional well-being for the most vulnerable women and children.'

In 2017, American River Bank employees donated over $20,000 to the Foundation, which is 100% matched by American River Bank, and $42,000 was raised from the Bank's Annual Charity Golf Classic, with the proceeds going to the Foundation. All donations received by the Foundation are granted back out to the community as the Foundation is financially supported by American River Bank, its employees and partners.
The Foundation's grant recipients are as follows:

• 3Strands Global will receive $10,000 to fund their Employ + Empower program that helps trafficking survivors and at-risk youth in the Sacramento area obtain jobs.
• Amador Community College Foundation will receive $5,000 to expand services and offer additional student support, especially directed toward the unique needs of underserved women and their families.
• Amador Pregnancy Help Center will receive $6,000 to provide the infrastructure for the organization that provides material goods for struggling moms and families.
• Child Advocates of Placer County will receive $5,000 to provide funds for the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers who support foster youth and Family Mentors who support parents attempting to reunify with their children in foster care.
• CASA of Sacramento County will receive $7,500 that will assist in activating new advocates and enhance services to ensure that the most at-risk children will receive court advocacy and mentorship from trained community members, and be guided by professional staff and their network of local resources.
• Chop's Teen Club will receive $4,000 to maximize the impact of The Youth Empowerment and Leadership Conference by helping reduce barriers for participants in lower income homes.
• Community Action Partnership of Sonoma County will receive $10,000 to provide short-term housing for women and their children who have lost their homes and are unable to obtain housing independent of assistance.
• Family Promise of Sacramento will receive $8,500 to help support the organization's 24 hour/7 day a week shelter & training program which addresses homelessness & job opportunities and works to enhance self-esteem, physical and emotional well-being.
• Interfaith Council of Amador will receive $7,500 to fund healthier breakfast foods for children and through 'Hunger Is' bring awareness to the healthy food options available for school-age children.
• My Sister's House will receive $7,500 to fund the job training program at My Sister's Cafe which assists survivors of domestic violence by creating job opportunities and providing for their physical and emotional well-being through a positive and supportive work environment.
• Nexus Youth and Family Services (CASA) will receive $7,500 to fund an increase in their volunteer base, allowing them to serve additional foster youth who are in dire need of advocacy and support.
• Placer Food Bank will receive $6,000 to fund high-quality, nutritious meals to students in Placer County thereby contributing to their improved school performance and overall health.
• Redwood Empire Food Bank will receive $10,000 to fund the Megan Furth Harvest Pantry which addresses the specific diet-related health conditions that predominantly affect low income children in Sonoma County.
• Roseville Home Start will receive $7,500 to fund programs that support the physical and emotional needs of homeless women and children by assisting with transition into affordable, sustainable, permanent housing and self-sufficiency.
• Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services will receive $5,000 to fund programs that engage low-income expectant mothers and new mothers with children 0 - 5 years old, by providing resources, skills and activities that will unite their families through love, compassion, structure and mutual understanding, giving their children the best opportunity to thrive.
• Sacramento Life Center will receive $14,000 to help fund repairs to two mobile medical clinics that provide much needed medical care to low-income women and teens who are often lacking adequate transportation, income and language skills.
• Sierra Forever Families will receive $5,000 to fund their Wonder Mentoring Program that serves children and youth in foster care. In this program children and youth are matched with trained, caring adult mentors who guide them through activities in the arts, music, sports, nature, and community services.
• Stand Up Placer, Inc. will receive $5,000 to support The Safe House Program which provides emergency shelter for victims, overwhelmingly women, many with children, fleeing life-threatening domestic violence, sexual assault, and/or human trafficking.
• Wellspring Women's Center will receive $7,500 to provide a Nutritious Meal Program in Sacramento's Oak Park neighborhood. In addition, the program promotes health education and nutrition through cooking classes in English and Spanish as well as health and nutrition classes.
• Women's Empowerment will receive $11,500 to fund The Get A Job Kit training program and their new property management training program. Both opportunities provide vulnerable women with a pathway out of homelessness and back into our workforce.

About the American River Bank Foundation
The American River Bank Foundation was established in July 2004 to give back meaningfully to local organizations that create opportunity, enhance self-esteem and provide physical and emotional well-being for the most vulnerable women and children. For information on how to donate to the Foundation or apply for grant funding, visit https://www.americanriverbank.com/Foundation/
About American River Bank
American River Bank, a subsidiary of American River Bankshares [NASDAQ-GS: AMRB], is a community bank serving Northern California since 1983. We give business owners more REACH by offering financial expertise and exceptional service to complement a full suite of banking products and services. Our honest approach, commitment to community and focus on profitability is intended to lead our clients to greater success. For more information, call [phone] or visit AmericanRiverBank.com.
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