Grants from the Avista Fund will Continue to Benefit Residents of Sanders County, Montana and Clark Fork, Idaho

SPOKANE, Wash. April 23, 2014:  Continuing to build on a legacy of community partnership, Avista has announced another contribution in the Avista Fund at the Montana Community Foundation which was made possible by the Cabinet Gorge timber stand improvement project. This project encompassed a 70 acre wooded area around the Cabinet Gorge Dam that was overstocked and vulnerable to disease and insect infestation. Proceeds of the timber sale were then donated to the community foundation.

The harvest accomplished many things including, reduced fire danger, improved timber health, and wildlife habitat. Along with the monetary donation to the Montana Community Foundation, six semi-truck loads of firewood were donated to local schools, the firewood donation, valued at $7,000, allows the schools to use the wood as a fundraiser.

"With this additional donation to the Avista Fund we are confident that our annual grants program will continue far into the future" said Tim Swant, Noxon resident and Avista's manager for the Clark Fork River license. "We are pleased to announce that our 2014 grant cycle will kick off again in September, so remember to mark your calendars."

Mary Rutherford chief executive officer of the Montana Community Foundation added that "Supporting the youth in our rural communities is an important part of Montana Community Foundation's mission in building stronger communities. Avista's grant program has been instrumental in enhancing many of the local programs and facilities that serve our youth."

About Avista
Avista Corp., incorporated in 1889 and based in Spokane, Wash., is an energy company involved in the production, transmission and distribution of energy as well as other energy-related businesses.Avista Utilities is our operating division that provides electric service to 366,000 customers and natural gas to 326,000 customers.  Our service territory covers 30,000 square miles in eastern Washington, northern Idaho and parts of southern and eastern Oregon, with a population of 1.5 million.  Avista's primary, non-utility subsidiary isEcova, an energy and sustainability management company with over 700 expense management customers, representing more than 700,000 sites. Our stock is traded under the ticker symbol "AVA."  For more information about Avista, please visitwww.avistacorp.com.
For more information about Avista, please visitwww.avistacorp.com.

Avista Corp. and the Avista logo are trademarks of Avista Corporation.

About Montana Community Foundation

The Montana Community Foundation's mission is to cultivate a culture of giving so Montana communities can flourish. Founded in 1988, the Foundation has $74 million in assets under management and administers more than 600 philanthropic funds that make grants to charitable organizations and causes across the state. The Foundation serves as a center for philanthropy in Montana, working with donors, charitable organizations and communities to provide simple and effective ways to give back to Montana.www.mtcf.org.
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