Our Mission
The mission of the Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association Inc. is to educate the public about the history of the Bantam Jeep’s creation in Butler, Pennsylvania, through the annual Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival (the “Festival”), and to support charitable endeavors, including through contributions to other 501(c)(3) organizations.
The Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association (FBJA) is a non-profit organization that provides opportunities for Jeep owners and Jeep enthusiasts worldwide to learn, share, and celebrate Jeep ownership. FBJA educates the public about the history of the Bantam jeep’s historical roots in Western Pennsylvania and Butler, PA and its successors. The Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival, which is a fun and family-oriented annual event, enables FBJA to use its operational proceeds to support charitable contributions to other local non-profit organizations in the community.
Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association Financial Gift Program (as of December 2023)
The Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association (FBJA) began the Financial Gift Program in 2016. Each year after the Festival, Butler County 501c3 Non-Profit Organizations are able to submit an application for projects or services they provide in the community. Nearly $165,000 has been given away in gifts through the program. FBJA has also given more than $155,000 to non-profit groups who help to execute the Festival. In total, FBJA has given away nearly $320,000 to Butler County non-profit organizations since 2016. Below are some testimonials from past financial gift program recipients.
““We would not be able to offer these gifts without the more than 500 volunteers and volunteer groups who help to plan and execute the Festival each year. These gifts are an example of how their time and talents are used to not just benefit the Festival, but to help our entire community.””
Bantam Quarry at Kildoo
In June 2020, FBJA purchased 235 acres of vacant land in Portersville, Pa. to provide additional trail riding opportunities during the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival. Because the 2020 Festival was cancelled due to COVID-19, FBJA built trails and hosted a small Jeep-only event in October 2020 called Bantam 9.5 TrailFest. This event provided the opportunity for Jeep enthusiasts to enjoy a weekend of fun with other Jeepers and try out the new trails.
Bantam TrailFest is now an annual event held in October for a limited number of Jeeps on FBJA’s property. Additional uses of the property are to be determined at a future time by the organization.
FBJA Volunteers
Our Core Values
The Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association and the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival hold these core values:
Jeep Fellowship: Our driving strength is our people. From Festival volunteers and participants to Jeep owners and enthusiasts, we enjoy spending time together celebrating the Jeep lifestyle.
Family-Oriented Outdoor Adventures: We’re proud to host one of the largest annual gatherings of Jeep owners anywhere in North America. We provide a fun experience for all ages – on the trails and playground, in the campground and throughout all of the activities and attractions we offer to our Bantam fans.
Jeep History/Education: The world’s original Jeep, made right here in Butler County, Pa., helped win a war and inspired an iconic vehicle's global evolution. We ensure that the Jeep’s heritage is shared through exhibits, presentations, and activities during the Festival.
Charitable Support/Community Involvement: Our adventures help others. Our dollars are shared with local, non-profit people empowering organizations who do amazing things to help make Butler County an even better place to live.
Jeep Pride: The pleasure we experience from our time together with the Jeeps we love is the reason we work and play hard. There is only one Jeep. We are proud of its birthplace and celebrate every time we turn the key.