Application Deadline is September 30th
BUTLER, PA (August 20, 2018) –2018 marks the third year that the Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association, Inc. (FBJA) will award non-profit gifts to Butler County 501c3 organizations. Gifts totaling $50,000 have already been distributed through the program over the last two years.
“One of the Association’s core values is Charitable Support/Community Involvement,” said Todd Wagner, FBJA president. “It’s extremely important to our organization to be able to give back to our community through our financial gifts. Over the last two years our gift recipients have been able to help our community in many different ways which is very rewarding to our group.”
Application Requirements and How To Apply:
· Butler County 501c3 non-profit organizations must apply online. The online application, available at http://www.bantamjeepfestival.com/financial-gift-application, must be received no later than September 30th at 5 p.m.
· In the application, organizations must explain in 500 words or less how they benefit the community and how any potential funds received will be used.
· Applicants must provide proof of non-profit 501c3 status.
· After gifts are awarded, the recipients will be expected to provide an update on their projects’ progress and/or completion and provide photos to demonstrate the gifts’ impact on their organization.
“The FBJA board of directors will evaluate gift applications and award monies based on the organization’s demonstrated need for the gift and how they benefit the community,” said Wagner. “In 2017, gifts ranged from $500 - $2,500. A gift of $2,200 will be awarded to an organization selected by FBJA’s membership on behalf of Omix-ADA, a premier Festival sponsor who raised funds by selling select merchandise at the 2018 event.”
Festival Already Helping Local Groups
In addition, the Association has already provided more than $20,000 to other organizations that helped execute the 2018 Festival.
Those organizations include: 377th Engineer Company/Butler Reserve Unit; Alliance for Non-Profit Resources; Butler American Legion Riders; Butler Masonic Lodge #272; Butler Outdoor Club; Butler County Humane Society; CB Rangers; Civil Air Patrol; Compeer Corps; East Coast Four-Wheel Drive Association; Heritage Region Jeep Alliance; Moraine, McConnells Mill and Jennings Commission; Rodfathers of Butler; Slippery Rock Fire Department (Butler County); Slippery Rock Fire Department (Lawrence County); and Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Department.
The Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association was formed in October 2015. It is comprised of more than 50 volunteers who work together to plan and execute the successful Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival which attracts more than 2,000 Jeeps to Butler County each June to celebrate Butler’s notoriety as the birthplace of the Jeep.