Just in time for Fire Prevention Week October 6-12, State Farm® and the National Volunteer Fire Council have announced $1 million in grants to local volunteer fire departments. Through the State Farm Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program, 100 departments will each receive a $10,000 grant to obtain critical equipment that will help increase their responders’ safety, effectiveness, and ability to serve their community.
This is the inaugural year for the State Farm Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program. The program is designed to provide assistance to volunteer fire departments with limited budgets who struggle to find funding for the equipment they need. The response to the program was overwhelming and the need was so great that State Farm doubled its initial commitment of 50 grants to help even more volunteer fire departments.
“We are grateful to State Farm for stepping up and providing this critical assistance to volunteer fire departments,” said NVFC Chair Steve Hirsch. “Many of our nation’s fire departments operate on shoe-string budgets and struggle to fund the equipment and resources they need. We are proud to collaborate with State Farm to get funding to local departments so they can be better prepared to serve their communities and protect their responders.”
“At State Farm part of our mission is to help people manage the risks of everyday life. We are committed to helping build safer, stronger, better educated communities,” said Apsara Sorensen, State Farm corporate responsibility assistant vice president. “We are proud to support the safety of volunteer firefighters – the ultimate good neighbors who risk their lives each and every day.”
In the first year of the program, grant applications were limited to 500. Departments had to be at least 50% volunteer, located in the U.S., serve a population of 25,000 or less, have revenue not to exceed $250,000 in the most recently completed fiscal year, and the applicant or chief had to be a member of the NVFC. State Farm provided complimentary memberships to all applicants to ensure they would meet that criteria and gain access to all NVFC benefits, including free training, the First Responder Helpline, and much more.
Volunteer fire departments play a critical role in the protection of communities across the country, especially small towns and rural areas. Over 65% of all firefighters in the U.S. are volunteers, devoting their time and risking their safety to help their neighbors in need. The grants will go to purchase equipment that will enhance safety, communications and operations for these local departments.
View the list of recipients here. State Farm and the NVFC will join 10 of the winners for a local open house or fire prevention education event throughout the fall. Learn more about the program and these events at www.nvfc.org/statefarm.
Due to the high number of impressive applications and the widespread need observed across the nation, State Farm will continue the grant program in 2025. Please stay tuned to the NVFC opportunities page.
About State Farm
For over 100 years, the mission of State Farm has been to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected and realize their dreams. State Farm and its affiliates are the largest providers of auto and home insurance in the United States. Its more than 19,400 agents and 67,000 employees serve over 91 million policies and accounts – including auto, fire, life, health, commercial policies and financial services accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is also available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 39 on the 2024 Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit http://www.statefarm.com.
About the National Volunteer Fire Council
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is the leading nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services. The NVFC serves as the voice of the volunteer in the national arena and provides critical resources, programs, education, and advocacy for first responders across the nation. Learn more at www.nvfc.org.
