Mission-driven nonprofits do heroic work. They help support their communities in meaningful ways, from providing search-and-rescue services to feeding the hungry to rehabbing wildlife and more. That’s why the Defender Service Awards Presented by Chase has been recognizing deserving nonprofits annually since 2021, and now you can join the effort by voting on the 2025 finalists.
Each year, the program rewards U.S. and Canadian nonprofits that give back to their communities in unique and effective ways. For the six category winners, it’s a game changer: They get a customized Defender 130 and $30,000 each from the category sponsor. 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 24 customized Defenders and more than $1 million in cash.
Now in its fifth year, the Defender Service Awards has become a coveted prize for hardworking nonprofits. With its all-wheel-drive capability and expansive seating and cargo capacity, the Defender 130 enables charitable organizations to bring their services wherever they’re needed. That’s why almost 900 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 vote for your favorites by October 19. 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 2025 finalists, including those for the Outdoor Accessibility and Education Award, sponsored by Outside. Vote for your favorites now!
Animal, Wildlife and Marine Welfare Award
Presented by Disney
By providing community shelters, wildlife rescue programs, and marine conservation, these nonprofits protect those without a voice.
FINALISTS |
|
Nonprofit |
Location |
| HIT Living Foundation | Los Angeles, CA |
| Marine Mammals of Maine | Brunswick, ME |
| Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society | Vancouver, BC |
| WildCare Oklahoma | Noble, OK |
| The Gentle Barn | Santa Clarita, CA |
Community Services Award
Presented by ei3
This category recognizes nonprofits that help communities through food, shelter, and environmental programs.
FINALISTS |
|
Nonprofit |
Location |
| Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula |
Pacific Grove, CA
|
| Feeding Northeast Florida |
Jacksonville, FL
|
| Meta House Inc. |
Milwaukee, WI
|
| Red Feather Development Group | Flagstaff, AZ |
| The Food Brigade |
Paramus, NJ
|
Search, Rescue & Emergency Support Services Award
Presented by Pelican
These organizations come to the rescue when accidents and natural disasters strike.
FINALISTS |
|
Nonprofit |
Location |
| Boulder Emergency Squad | Boulder, CO |
| Amwell Valley Ambulance Corps | Ringoes, NJ |
| Chilliwack Search and Rescue | Chilliwack, BC |
| Sunshine Coast Search and Rescue | Sechelt, BC |
| Pemberton Search and Rescue | Pemberton, BC |
Veteran & Civil Servant Outreach Award
Presented by Hearts & Science
From veterans to firefighters to police officers and more, the heroes who protect others receive much-needed support from these organizations.
FINALISTS |
|
Nonprofit |
Location |
| Shelter to Soldier | San Diego, CA |
| Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans | St. Paul, MN |
| Combat Recovery Foundation | Loveland, CO |
| Jason’s Box | Paris, KY |
| Project Sanctuary |
Pagosa Springs, CO
|
Outdoor Accessibility & Education Award
Presented by Outside 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 |
|
Nonprofit |
Location |
| Catalyst Sports Inc. | Atlanta, GA |
| Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada | Dorval, QC |
| City Kids Wilderness Project Inc. | Washington, DC |
| Adaptive Adventures |
Westminster, CO
|
| North Carolina Adapted Sports | Cary, NC |
Defender Service Honorees Award
Presented by S&P Global
This category recognizes previous finalists who didn’t win their category. Their dedication and commitment to helping their communities is so inspiring that they deserve a second chance to win a Defender 130.
Defender 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 and 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.
The post Vote Now on the 2025 Defender Service Awards appeared first on Outside Online.
