The Defender Service Awards are back for their third year, with six Defender 130 vehicles on deck to be donated to worthy non-profit organizations across the United States, DC, Puerto Rico, and Canada. It's the continuation of one of the most positive and life-changing charitable programs in the auto industry, which has already seen a dozen Defenders find homes serving organizations in the past two years.
The awards began in 2021, deep in the throes of the pandemic, in part as a way to give back to organizations that had helped us through that moment. Seven Defender 110s found new homes that year and have been serving their communities ever since. Last year, the awards focused on the new Defender 130, with the extra space making it the obvious choice to headline a utility award. Five 130s were distributed last year, as the awards grew andtook on title sponsorship from Chase, sponsors for each category, and cash gifts to each finalist organization.
The Awards are growing even further in 2023. Chase continues their title sponsorship, and this year six vehicles will be given away in six categories:
The final category is intended to give the worthy organizations that got so close over the past two years another chance at a vehicle, instead of putting them back into the general pool.
Once again, Chase will donate $5,000 each to the 30 category finalists. New supporter Warner Brothers Discovery will also donate $2,500 to these finalists, with a total cash prize of $7,500 for any finalist. The category sponsors each will donate $25,000 to their respective category winners -- this year includes some new sponsors and some repeat supporters.
Land Rover will work with each winner to custom outfit the vehicle for their needs, using whatever combination of factory accessories and aftermarket add-ons best suits the purpose. The vehicles will be delivered via local Land Rover dealers, who often have a community celebration for the handover.
To enter, each organization should submit a video that sets out their case for why they need a Defender by July 21st. Past need cases have included backcountry support organizations that were using ancient two-wheel drive SUVs, local EMT units in growing towns that had run out of rapid response capacity, and organizations that needed to help people haul materials in rugged areas.
To enter your organization, take a look at the American or Canadian Land Rover website, and enter per the parameters set. Both countries participate in the same contest, and any category can be won by an American or Canadian organization.
Sign up and receive once every 2 weeks
Select Your Vehicle
