The application period is now open for the inaugural State Farm® Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program. State Farm has teamed up with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) to award $500,000 in grants to local volunteer fire departments. A total of 50 departments will each receive a $10,000 grant to obtain critical equipment to enhance the safety and effectiveness of their responders. The application period is open through August 18 or until 500 applications are received, whichever comes first.
Volunteers make up 65% of the U.S. fire service, and most small-town and rural communities rely almost entirely on volunteers to be there for their neighbors whatever the emergency. Yet many volunteer departments operate on small budgets that make obtaining critically-needed equipment a challenge. Departments are often forced to make do with outdated or insufficient equipment.
The State Farm Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program grants, provided in collaboration with the NVFC, will help local fire departments obtain the equipment they need to increase responder safety and improve service to the community. To be eligible to apply, departments must meet the following criteria:
- This grant must be used for eligible fire department equipment.
- The person applying or department chief must be a member of the NVFC. To help departments meet this requirement and gain access to all NVFC member benefits, State Farm is providing complimentary memberships to the first 500 eligible applicants.
- Department must be at least 50% volunteer; paid on-call is considered volunteer.
- Department must be located in the U.S. and legally organized under state law.
- Department must serve a population of 25,000 or less.
- Revenue for the department’s most recently completed fiscal year must not have exceeded $250,000.
- Department must demonstrate a need for the grant by indicating what the funds will be used for and articulating the impact this grant will have on the department and community.
- Department must be willing to share a department photo or video and publicize the grant award (NVFC will provide sample promotional tools and templates to help).
- Department must report back within 4 months on how the grant funds were used.
Up to 500 applications will be accepted for the 2024 grant cycle. Only one application will be accepted from each fire department.
“The NVFC is extremely grateful to State Farm for addressing a critical need for our local fire departments,” said NVFC Chair Steve Hirsch. “These grants will increase the safety and readiness of responders and enable them to better protect their communities. Volunteer responders are truly neighbors helping neighbors in their hour of need. We are pleased to join with State Farm to provide this opportunity to make sure these departments have the tools and equipment to succeed.”
“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.”
View full program information and apply at www.nvfc.org/statefarm.
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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.
