How do you make the world a better place? Identify the organizations supporting their communities in meaningful ways, and help them do their work even better. That’s what the has been doing annually since 2021, and now you can join the effort by on the 2024 finalists.
Each year, the program rewards U.S. and Canadian nonprofits that give back to their communities in unique and effective ways, focusing on categories like veterans’ support and search and rescue operations. For the six category winners, it’s a game changer: they get a customized Defender 130, and five of them take home $25,000 each from the category sponsor. And there’s more: All 30 finalists, including the ultimate winners, receive a $5,000 prize courtesy of presenting sponsor CHASE. Since 2021, the program has gifted 18 customized Defenders and more than $700,000 in cash.
Hundreds of nonprofits submitted video applications for this year’s Defender Service Awards. The finalists—five in each category—now have a chance to make their case to you. Watch their videos, consider their mission and needs, and for your favorites by October 17. And yes, this is one contest where voting early and often is allowed—you can vote once per day in all six categories. Below are the 2024 finalists, including those for the Outdoor Accessibility and Education Award, sponsored by ϳԹ. Find your favorites now!
Animal, Wildlife & Marine Welfare
Presented by Disney
These nonprofits protect those without a voice by supporting community shelters, wildlife rescue programs, and marine conservation.
FINALISTS
- Hickory Haven Fawn Rescue (Belton, SC)
- Lending Paws a Hand (Sanford, NC)
- Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles (San Pedro, CA)
- SICSA Pet Adoption & Wellness Center (Washington Township, OH)
- Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary (Cochrane, AB)
Community Services Award
Presented by ei3
This category awards nonprofits that help communities through food, shelter, and environmental programs.
FINALISTS
- Borderlands Restoration Network (Patagonia, AZ)
- Nathaniel’s Hope (Orlando, FL)
- No Child Hungry (Orlando, FL)
- Plastic Ocean Project (Wilmington, NC)
- San Diego Habitat Conservancy (San Diego, CA)
Search, Rescue & Emergency Support Services Award
Presented by PELICAN
When accidents and natural disasters strike, these are the organizations that come to the rescue.
FINALISTS
- Eurêka Recherche et Sauvetage (St-Etienne-des-Grès, QC)
- Inyo County Search & Rescue (Bishop, CA)
- Kittitas County Search & Rescue (Ellensburg, WA)
- Linville-Central Rescue Squad Inc. (Newland, NC)
- Thurston County Unit Washington Explorer Search & Rescue (Lacey, WA)
Veteran & Civil Servant Outreach Award
Presented by Hearts & Science
From veterans to firefighters to police officers and more, the heroes who protect others get much-needed support from these organizations.
FINALISTS
- Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs (Williston, FL)
- Heroes Hope (Tulsa, OK)
- Northwest Battle Buddies (Battle Ground, WA)
- Team Red, White & Blue (Floyds Knobs, IN)
- The Station Foundation (Bozeman, MT)
Outdoor Accessibility & Education Award
Presented by ϳԹ Interactive Inc.
This category recognizes nonprofits on a mission to get everyone outside, because everyone deserves to benefit from the power of the outdoors.
FINALISTS
- ϳԹs Without Limits (Forest Grove, OR)
- Bionic Project Inc. (Cambridge, MA)
- High Fives Foundation (Truckee, CA)
- Higher Ground (Ketchum, ID)
- Pine River Institute (Toronto, ON)
Defender Service Honorees Award
In an effort to put even more vehicles into the field doing mission-driven work, this category gives past finalists a second chance to win a customized Defender 130.
HONOREES
- Appalachian Wildlife Refuge (Candler, NC)
- The Big Red Barn Retreat (Blythewood, SC)
- CoolxDad (Houston, TX)
- Enjoy Detroit (Detroit, MI)
- FeedMore WNY (Buffalo, NY)
- Forces of Nature Dance Theatre: Youth & Wellness Program (New York, NY)
- Great Basin K-9 SAR Inc. (Kamas, UT)
- Heroes Homestead (Spokane, WA)
- Kupu (Honolulu, HI)
- Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network (North Charleston, SC)
- Midwest Animal ResQ (Raytown, MO)
- Missouri Search & Rescue K9 Unit (Blue Springs, MO)
- Overtown Youth Center (Miami, FL)
- TEXSAR (Wimberley, TX)
- West Place Animal Sanctuary (Tiverton, RI)
embraces the impossible. Each member of the Defender family is purposefully designed, highly desirable, and seriously durable. A modern-day hero that respects the past but at the same time anticipates the future. Available in 90, 110, and 130 body styles, with up to eight seats, each has a charisma of its own. A beacon of liberty since 1948, Defender supports humanitarian and conservation work with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Tusk Trust. The Defender brand is underpinned by Land Rover—a mark of trust built on 75 years of expertise in technology and world-leading off-road capability. Defender is designed and engineered in the UK and sold in 121 countries. It belongs to the JLR house of brands, alongside Range Rover, Discovery, and Jaguar.