The State Farm Cause An Effect initiative is an effort by State Farm to help local organizations create solutions to community issues. Recently, two West Philly organizations learned that they will each receive $25K grants from this effort, along with 38 other groups nationwide.

Congrats to the folks at West Philly Tool Library and Neighborhood Bike Works, who received enough votes out of the 100 finalists, weeded out of more than 3,000 causes. After an initial submission process, the finalists had three weeks to produce as many Facebook votes as possible.

“This is more money than our annual budget,” said Mike Froehlich of the Tool Library.

Tool Library

Another shot

The grant will help the folks at the Tool Library, which serves as a yard, home, car and more borrowing site for 1,100 residents across the city purchase more tools, develop programming, and hire a mechanic to repair broken tools. Though they have about 10 weedwackers, sometimes they’re all loaned out. With the grant money they hope to reduce that chance.

Shot from the Bike Works Facebook page

The grant will enable the Bike Works crew to offer five eight-week after school Earn-A-Bike classes, providing 60 kids with free, enriching programming. These children will be learn about safe urban riding, as well as health and nutrition issues.

Yet again, another example of innovative programs in West Philly making a name for themselves. There are, of course, countless programs out there that could dramatically benefit from additional funding. Perhaps next year, other local groups will be able to benefit from this program as well.

–Lou Mancinelli