State Farm® Invites Individuals to Submit Causes to Bring $25,000 to their Neighborhood
Parsippany, NJ (Feb. 14, 2013) — Do you have an idea that would make New Hampshire a better place to live, and would $25,000 be a game-changer? State Farm is here with the assist. From Feb. 13 through March 6, people from the United States and Canada can submit a cause for a chance to win a $25,000 State Farm Neighborhood Assist™ grant.
Neighborhood Assist is a youth-led philanthropic program that empowers people to identify issues in their community. Then the program connects them with a local nonprofit that can help solve the problem by providing an opportunity to receive one of 40 $25,000 grants.
“One of the great things about Neighborhood Assist is that it places decision-making power directly in the hands of the public,” said Vice President Matthew S. Hodson, “We hope the 2013 Neighborhood Assist program is able to increase last year's widespread positive impact on U.S. and Canadian communities.”
In 2012, State Farm grants reached 22 states and 40 communities that ranged in population from 222 to eight million people. Examples of winning causes include helping an animal shelter replace its rescue van and assisting organizations that support the homeless and impoverished. Six neighborhood parks were built or improved, while more than 65 percent of the causes directly impacted youth.
When the maximum of 3,000 submissions are received (deadline of March 6), the State Farm Youth Advisory Board (SFYAB) will review all submissions and identify the top 200 based on a scoring rubric.
Hasher Nisar, a college student who has served on the SFYAB for two years indicates that “Reviewing the applications has been inspiring. It shows how much people care and how adults and youth have stepped up to address the issues that affect their communities. The $25,000 can have a great impact on a community because it can be used for setup costs, renovating something, or buying an item that is crucial for a project. The unique aspect of Neighborhood Assist is that the public has the final say in what projects get funded.”
The top 200 causes will be announced on Facebook on April 4 and anyone who has the free Facebook application can vote for their favorite causes with up to 10 votes per day until April 22. On April 29 on the Facebook app, the top 40 vote-receiving causes will be announced.
For more information on State Farm Neighborhood Assist or to submit a cause, get the free Facebook app at www.statefarm.com/neighborhoodassist.
Arlene J. Lester, (973) 739-5197
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The Youth Advisory Board is comprised of 30 students, ages 17-20, from across the United States and Canada 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 2013. For more information on the Youth Advisory Board, visit www.statefarmyab.com.
