Millions Of Votes Cast, The State Farm® Winners Are...

BLOOMINGTON, Ill., April 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- After two and a half weeks and more than 3.4 million votes, State Farm is proud to announce the top 40 vote-receiving causes that will receive $25,000 grants to improve their communities. Nearly 100,000 people took to Facebook and voted for their favorite causes on the State Farm Neighborhood Assist Facebook application.

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State Farm Neighborhood Assist is a youth-led philanthropic program that empowers communities to identify issues in their neighborhood.  The affiliated nonprofits of the top 40 causes will each receive a $25,000 grant to create and execute a plan to address the cause. The top five vote-receiving causes were:

• The Bay (77,157 votes): will establish and implement a new youth outreach center/indoor skate park in Lincoln, NE.
• Must Love Dogs (71,601 votes): will bring more homeless dogs into the hearts and homes of people of Middle Island, NY
• AAA Spay/Neuter Clinic (70,319 votes): will provide low cost spay/neuter services to reduce the animal euthanasia rates in Wilmington, NC area shelters.
• Bohm Theatre Restoration (69,607 votes): will restore the vacant, blighted Bohm Theatre in Albion, MI for use as a film and performing arts center.
• Explor-a-Bus (56,241 votes): will bring exciting science, social studies and literacy exploratory learning experiences to Palmyra, NY.

The top 40 causes, representing 27 states and provinces across the United States and Canada range from Veteran's assistance efforts to programs encouraging youth to stay in school; a large majority of the causes will directly impact youth. Communities that will receive funding range in size from Gayville, SD with a population of approximately 400 to New York City.

"The sheer amount of votes and people who participated in this program shows the level of commitment and passion within neighborhoods to solve local issues," said Kellie Clapper, Assistant Vice President of External Relations for State Farm. "We look forward to watching the 40 communities across North America make their neighborhoods safer, stronger, and better educated with the help of the State Farm Youth Advisory Board, and State Farm Neighborhood Assist."

Of the 3,000 submissions that were received through State Farm Neighborhood Assist, at least one cause was received from every eligible state, district and province in the United States and Canada. Then, the State Farm Youth Advisory Board, a diverse group of 30 students who are passionate about social responsibility, reviewed the cause submissions and selected the 200 finalists based on criteria they created. Starting April 4, the top 200 causes rallied their communities for votes until April 22.

For a complete list of the top 40 causes or for more information on the program visit: www.statefarm.com/neighborhoodassist 

About State Farm®:
State Farm and its affiliates are the largest provider of car insurance in the U.S. and is a leading insurer in Canada. In addition to providing auto insurance quotes, their 17,800 agents and more than 65,000 employees serve 81 million policies and accounts – more than 79 million auto, home, life and health policies in the United States and Canada, and nearly 2 million bank 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. 43 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit http://www.statefarm.com or in Canada http://www.statefarm.ca.

About the Youth Advisory Board
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.

SOURCE State Farm