Recently I was contacted by State Farm notifying me that a non profit in my area recently received a $25,000 dollar grant and asking if I would share that information with my readers. Given that pre-kids I worked in fundraising and grant writing this was a no brainer! I know how hard these organizations work to help people and how little credit they get. Luckily I have an outlet to recognize and thank them!
My first thank you goes to State Farm for their Neighborhood Assist program. They chose 40 organizations to receive a $25,000 grant. The process was pretty cool! Here is an explanation, from the State Farm Neighborhood Assist Facebook page, of how the organizations were chosen.
The program has three phases. First, Facebook users submit causes that they think deserve a $25,000 grant. Next, the State Farm® Youth Advisory Board will narrow down the submissions to the top 200 and pair them with nonprofit organizations that can help make them happen. Finally, Facebook users will vote to select the top 40. Each winner will receive a $25,000 grant, for a total of $1 million.
Head to their Facebook page if you would like to see if an organization near you received funds as part of the State Farm Neighborhood Assist program! There is a pretty awesome interactive map to help you find organizations near you!
My second thank you is to our local recipient of the $25k award, H.E.R.O. for Children. I was able to speak with Donna, the Executive Director, to learn about their organization and how they plan to use the grant money. H.E.R.O. for Children is an organization who aims to improve the quality of life for children infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS.
H.E.R.O. will use the grant money to develop a learning center equipped with technology resources (i.e. computers, printers, internet, etc.), curriculum, enrichment activity supplies, school supplies and tutoring materials. This facility will offer children one-on-one tutoring services and a safe, drug free environment which would support and encourage efforts to improve their academic achievement.
If not for their amazing community supporting them and voting 10 times a day every day they would not have received this money. Isn’t it great when a community comes together to support each other?!
Please go check out State Farm’s Neighborhood Assist Facebook page and Twitter and H.E.R.O.’s Facebook page and show them some love! They really deserve it for all the amazing work they do.