State Farm today announced a $650,000 donation to Habitat for Humanity to further engage young leaders across the U.S. in Habitat’s mission: bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope. The State Farm donation provides funding for Habitat’s youth programs, other program resources, operations and event support; and grants to local Habitat organizations partnering with campus chapters and community youth projects that support long-term affordable housing.

State Farm and Habitat for Humanity aim to build stronger, safer neighborhoods by inviting young leaders to contribute to their communities by learning more about housing needs and getting directly involved with service initiatives and advocacy. Habitat and State Farm are developing a one-year initiative designed to expose participants to monthly topics including diversity, equity and inclusion; action planning; and more. Local Habitat organizations are also encouraged to leverage received grants to engage younger community members in disaster response programs, youth-led fundraisers and local advocacy training.

“State Farm has a long-standing history of supporting affordable housing efforts, helping create stability for families and neighborhoods,” said State Farm Director of Corporate Responsibility Ed Woods. “It’s part of our philanthropic mission to build stronger communities, especially during this pandemic where we’ve seen an intensified need for housing security. We’re grateful to support Habitat for Humanity’s youth programs and the opportunity it affords these youth to engage in and strengthen their communities.”

In addition to creating new outreach opportunities, the State Farm donation will support ongoing national initiatives such as the Emerging Leaders program developed by State Farm in partnership with Habitat more than 10 years ago. Through the Emerging Leaders program, college students and young professionals apply for scholarships that allow them to attend Habitat on the Hill. The conference provides an opportunity for them to gain firsthand experience advocating alongside hundreds of other affordable housing supporters from around the country. Program participants learn how to operate as effective champions for housing affordability at the local, state and national levels.   

“State Farm continues to play an instrumental role in developing the next generation of leaders who are making real change in strengthening their communities,” said Julie Laird Davis, vice president of corporate and cause marketing partnerships at Habitat for Humanity International. “We’re honored to have teamed up with State Farm for 27 years, and by the company’s commitment as the primary national sponsor of our youth initiatives since 2007.”

State Farm and Habitat for Humanity have had a philanthropic relationship since 1994. Since then, State Farm has donated nearly $15 million to Habitat for Humanity to support and involve youth in the housing nonprofit’s mission. State Farm’s local community grants have generated an additional $50 million in funds to Habitat for Humanity.