Millions of Votes Cast for a Million Dollars
40 communities get $25,000 State Farm Neighborhood Assist® grants to make a difference
State Farm Neighborhood Assist is a youth-led philanthropic program that empowers communities to identify issues in their neighborhood. The affiliated nonprofits of the top 40 causes will each receive a $25,000 grant to create and execute a plan to address the cause. The top five vote-receiving causes were:
- Dog Training at Prison (141,587 votes): Will create a program where inmates at a nearby jail help to socialize and train shelter dogs.
- Cycle-Breaking (112,089 votes): Will work to break the cycle of poverty, addiction, welfare dependence, and lack of education for entire families.
- Somerset Lake Park (97,563 votes): Will revitalize public property to create the county's first family-friendly nature park for the local community.
- Tempe Bike Corral (92,456 votes): Will provide free bike parking and a secure bike valet during special events in downtown Tempe.
- Ruff Start Rescue (90,546 votes): Will make a significant impact to diminish the cat overpopulation crisis and the needless euthanasia that results.
The top 40 causes, representing 27 states from around the United States range from helping underprivileged kids to providing food to communities; a large majority of the causes will directly impact kids and young adults. Communities that will receive funding range in size from Gardiner, ME with a population of approximately 5,600 to New York City.
“The record number of people who participated and voted in this year's program demonstrates the passion communities have to help with community issues,” said Kellie Clapper, Assistant Vice President of Philanthropy for State Farm. “We look forward to seeing the change that will happen in these 40 communities because of the Neighborhood Assist grants.”
Of the nearly 4,000 cause submissions that were received through State Farm Neighborhood Assist, at least one cause was received from every state in the United States. Then, the State Farm Youth Advisory Board, a diverse group of 30 students who are passionate about social responsibility, reviewed the cause submissions and selected the 200 finalists to be voted on. In the four years of the program 160 causes have received $4 million to enact change in their communities.
For a complete list of the top 40 causes or for more information on the program visit: www.statefarm.com/neighborhoodassist
About State Farm®:
State Farm and its affiliates are the largest provider of car insurance in the U.S. In addition to providing auto insurance quotes, their 18,000 agents and more than 65,000 employees serve over 82 million policies and accounts - nearly 80 million auto, home, life, health and commercial policies, and nearly 2 million bank accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 41 on the 2014 Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit https://www.statefarm.com.
About the Youth Advisory Board
The Youth Advisory Board is comprised of 30 students, ages 17-20, from across the United States who serve a two-year term. Their directive is to implement a $5 million-a-year signature service-learning initiative to address issues important to youth and communities. The Board is completely autonomous and youth-driven, and funds projects focused on issues selected by the board that impact youth. It consists of a diverse group of full-time students at high schools and universities. Each member commits about 15 hours a month to the Board and participates in three face-to-face meetings per calendar year. The Board will fund the 40 grants awarded through the State Farm Neighborhood Assist program with a portion of its $5 million funding in 2015. For more information on the Youth Advisory Board, visit www.statefarmyab.com.
