Top 100 firm Armanino, the largest independent accounting and business consulting firm in California, announced on Tuesday the launch of the Armanino Foundation.

In its debut, the foundation awarded $20,000 in grants to seven local organizations, and plan to make more regular contributions in the future. Organizations were nominated by the firm's staff members, then selected by committee.

Armanino is also encouraging staff to volunteer and will match their charitable donations two-to-one.

“Armanino and its team members have always placed high value on community involvement and corporate citizenship," said Andy Armanino, managing partner, in a statement. "The Armanino Foundation joins our annual Great Give event and additional community service events as a way Armanino staff can make a positive impact in our communities. We are so excited to announce our first round of grants funding a broad group of worthy charitable organizations. I could not be more proud of the level of support our fundraising efforts have enjoyed from firm partners and staff, who together have exceeded our goals."

First round grant recipients include:

For more on the Armanino Foundation, head to the firm's site here.

Sean McCabe is a senior editor with Accounting Today.