State Farm Insurance Companies Foundation

Overview: The Foundation is committed to meeting the needs of its communities by focusing on education through grants to priority colleges or universities and support of K-12 public schools, its matching gift program, established scholarships, the Good Neighbor Grant Program, and the United Way.

The corporation also has a corporate giving program which was recently revitalized and upgraded to $36 million in actual giving. Application procedures are almost identical to procedures for the foundation.

The corporate giving program has many interest areas;

American Indian Scholarship Fund Teacher Training Initiative Program:
Through the American Indian Scholarship Fund Teacher Training Initiative Program, the foundation awards college scholarships to outstanding American Indian college students at tribal colleges majoring in education or training to become certified teachers. The program is administered by the American Indian College Fund.

Doctoral Dissertation Award Program: Through the Doctoral Dissertation Award Program, the foundation annually awards six $10,000 fellowships to doctoral students for dissertations addressing insurance and risk management topics that directly relate to or benefit the insurance industry or business topics that relate to general business principles and issues. Grants of $3,000 are awarded to the institution of each winner. An independent committee of scholars selects winners. Winners are announced in May.

Foundation Scholarship Program: Through the Foundation Scholarship Program, the foundation annually awards 100 four-year college scholarships of $3,000 to $8,000 to academically talented dependents of employees, retirees, and agents of State Farm. The program is administered by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

Good Neighbor Grant Program: Through the Good Neighbor Grant Program, the foundation awards $500 grants to nonprofit organizations with which employees, retirees, and agents of State Farm volunteer at least 40 hours per year.

Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholarship Program: Through the Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholarship Program, the foundation annually awards 20 $2,500 college scholarships to Hispanic college students pursuing a teaching career. The program is administered by the Hispanic Scholarship Fund.

K-12 Public Schools: The foundation supports programs designed to improve teacher quality; integrate core classroom curriculum with service to the community; and incorporate the Baldrige criteria into educational systems to improve overall effectiveness.

Matching Gift Program: The foundation matches contributions made by employees, retirees, and agents of State Farm to institutions of higher education on a one-for-one basis from $25 to $3,000 per contributor, per year.

National Merit $2,500 Scholarship Program: Through the National Merit $2,500 Scholarship Program, the foundation awards $2,500 college scholarships to high school seniors who qualify as top finalists in the annual National Merit Scholarship Program. The program is administered by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

National Merit Achievement Scholarship Program: Through the National Merit Achievement Scholarship Program, the foundation annually awards 20 $2,500 college scholarships to African American high school seniors. The program is administered by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

Priority Schools: The foundation supports programs designed to promote insurance studies, actuarial science, and business and related fields; provide leadership training; and offer course work and resources to students and professionals in the financial services arena.

• Community Development:
• Community Economic Development:
• Crime/violence prevention:
• Education, Adult Education, Financial Literacy:
• Education, Higher Education: The following types of grants for colleges and universities will be considered by the Foundation for designated Priority Schools:
  
  1. Insurance studies, actuarial science, and business and related fields;
  
  2. University scholarships and leadership training; and
  
  3..Financial services centers that offer course work and resources to students and professionals in the financial services arena.
• Education, K-12: The following types of grants for K-12 Public Schools will be considered by the Foundation:
  
  1. Teacher excellence programs that improve teacher quality;
  
  2. Service-Learning programs that integrate core classroom curriculum with service to the community; and
  
  3. Programs that incorporate the Baldrige criteria into education systems to improve overall effectiveness
• Housing/Shelter, Affordable Housing:
• Housing/Shelter, Development:
• Human Services:
• Human Services, Financial Counseling:
• Philanthropy & Voluntarism, Federated Giving:
• Safe Neighborhoods: Our funding is directed to:
  
  1. Improving driver, vehicle, and roadway safety
  
  2. Shielding homes from fires, criminals, and natural disasters
  
  3. Supporting disaster preparedness programs and recovery services
  
  4. Enhancing personal financial security
  
• Strong Neighborhoods: (Community and Economic Development)
  
  Communities are the foundation and lifeblood of society. The condition of available housing and services greatly affects the quality of life for residents and the stability of the community. State Farm is committed to helping maintain the vibrancy and culture of neighborhoods in various communities throughout the U.S. and Canada. We demonstrate this commitment by supporting nonprofit organizations’ programs that:
  
  1. Make housing affordable
  
  2. Promote first-time homeownership
  
  3. Eliminate barriers to homeownership
  
  4. Educate homebuyers about insurance, loss mitigation, and homeownership
  
  5. Foster sustainable communities
  
  6. Rehabilitate neighborhoods or communities
• Women & Minority Business Development & Opportunities:
• Women's Economic Empowerment:
• Youth Development, Centers/Clubs:

Sample Grants
$ 250,000 to Academy for Educational Development , Washington , DC
$ 22,000 to Agnor-Hurt Elementary School , Charlottesville , VA
$ 35,000 to American Indian College Fund , Denver , CO
$ 10,000 to Association of Governing Board of Unversities & Colleges , Washington , DC
$ 10,000 to Baileys Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences , Falls Church , VA
$ 5,000 to California State Library Foundation , Sacramento , CA
$ 12,500 to Child-Family-School Enrichment Centers , Indianapolis , IN
$ 5,000 to City Year of Seattle , Seattle , WA
$ 20,746 to Columbia Area United Way , Columbia , MO
$ 150,000 to Congress of National Black Churches , Washington , DC
$ 6,000 to Council for Advancement and Support of Education , Washington , DC
$ 10,000 to Daybreak Adult Day Services , Frederick , MD
$ 5,833 to Detroit Public Schools , Detroit , MI
$ 15,000 to Education Service Center, Region 8 , Markle , IN
$ 10,000 to Eye Bank Association of America , Washington , DC
$ 15,000 to Foundation for Excellence in Louisiana Public Broadcasting , Baton Rouge , LA
$ 200,000 to Foundation for Women's Resources , Dallas , TX
$ 20,000 to Frederick Memorial Hospital , Frederick , MD
$ 15,000 to Griffith Foundation for Insurance Education , Columbus , OH
$ 15,000 to Homewood Foundation , Williamsport , MD
$ 100,000 to Howard University , Washington , DC
$ 20,000 to Indiana Professional Standards Board , Indianapolis , IN
$ 85,779 to Indiana State University , Terre Haute , IN
$ 20,000 to LIncoln Children's Museum , Newark , OH
$ 75,000 to MANA, A National Latina Organization , Washington , DC
$ 50,000 to Missouri Botanical Garden , Saint Louis , MO
$ 10,000 to Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education , Jefferson City , MO
$ 5,000 to Motor City Blight Busters , Detroit , MI
$ 100,000 to National Black Child Development Institute , Washington , DC
$ 380,450 to National Board for Professional Teaching Standards , Arlington , VA
$ 25,000 to Paramount Theater and Cultural Center , Charlottesville , VA
$ 5,000 to Police Athletic League of Indianapolis , Indianapolis , IN
$ 7,500 to Starfish Family Services , Inkster , MI
$ 3,872 to United Way of Cass and Jackson County , Independence , MO
$ 16,280 to United Way of Greater Lafayette and Tippecanoe County , Lafayette , IN
$ 220 to United Way of Greater St. Joseph , St. Joseph , MO
$ 682 to United Way of Johnson County , Lenexa , KS
$ 26,180 to United Way of Licking County , Newark , OH
$ 286 to United Way of Salina Area , Salina , KS
$ 396 to United Way of Southwest Missouri , Joplin , MO
$ 858 to United Way of the Ozarks , Springfield , MO
$ 10,560 to United Way, Greater Kalamazoo , Kalamazoo , MI
$ 5,000 to Unity Business Education Coalition , Reston , VA
$ 90,000 to University of Missouri , Kansas City , MO
$ 10,000 to Urban League of Baltimore , Baltimore , MD
$ 5,000 to Urban League of Toldeo , Toledo , OH
$ 25,000 to Western Michigan University , Kalamazoo , MI

Application Procedures::
Eligible organizations

The State Farm Companies Foundation makes charitable contributions to nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, Canadian charitable organizations, and educational institutions.

In general, grants are awarded for specific programs in the giving categories described above, rather than for one-time events or capital campaigns.

Restrictions

Contributions that do not meet the Foundation's educational focus as outlined under Priority Schools or K-12 Public Schools will not be considered. Guidelines for requesting grants

Criteria

1. Is the organization a stable nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization with a diverse funding base, a Canadian charitable organization, or an educational institution?

2. Does the program meet a community need that falls within our focus areas (i.e., Priority Schools or K-12 Public Schools)?

How to request a grant

One proposal per organization per year will be considered if it meets the guidelines outlined. (This should include all of an organization's needs for a 12-month period.) In addition, organizations need to provide the following supporting documents:

1. Name, address, and telephone number of the organization or school;

2. Contact person and phone number;

3. Background information, including history and purpose of the organization;

4. A copy of the IRS exemption letter verifying 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status or sufficient documentation verifying an educational institution;

5. Detailed description of the program we are being asked to support, including the total number of people reached (Please give an approximate number if necessary.);

6. Most recent audited financial statement; and

7. Current operating budget and sources of income

Address the following questions:

1. What is the purpose and objective(s) of the program?

2. Which educational focus area (Priority Schools or K-12 Public Schools) does this request fall within and how does it fit?

3. How many participants will benefit from our contribution if we make one? (Please give an approximate number if necessary.)

4. What is the amount of the request and what time period does it cover (e.g., one year or one semester)?

5. What is the total funding required for this project or program? Who are the other funding sources, including the amount they have contributed or pledged?

6. What specifically is the Foundation being asked to support? Please submit an itemized budget.

7. How will the program yield measurable results for participants? If the program is new, what does the organization or school plan to measure to determine the program's success? (These results will be needed to consider future funding.)

8. Will our support provide an opportunity for State Farm agents and employees to be involved in this program or project?

Grant requests must be submitted in writing on the requesting organization's letterhead. Telephone and e-mail solicitations cannot be considered. Grant proposals can be mailed to the appropriate State Farm office nearest you, attention: Public Affairs, GNC Coordinator.

Grants Paid

2002 ($21,758,492 )

2003 ($17,650,329 )

2004 ($20,018,807 )

2005 ($20,423,725 )

2006 ($19,802,268 )

2008 ($20,295,644 )

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