2026 Defender Service Awards: Win an SUV and $30,000

The Defender brand has opened applications for the sixth annual Defender Service Awards presented by CHASE, a program designed to provide critical resources to charitable organizations across the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. The initiative focuses on supporting nonprofits that provide essential community services, including those tied to public health, emergency response, and accessibility.

The awards provide a combination of high-utility transportation and financial grants to help organizations expand their reach and improve the delivery of their services. Winners in six different categories will each receive a customized Defender 130 vehicle and $30,000 in prize money.

Categories and Community Impact

The 2026 awards are structured around six specific categories that target various humanitarian and wellness-related needs. These categories include:

• Animal, Wildlife and Marine Mammal Welfare
• Community Services
• Search, Rescue & Emergency Support Services
• Veteran & Civil Servant Outreach
• Outdoor Accessibility & Education
• Defender Service Honorees

The program emphasizes the role of nonprofits in maintaining community health, and safety. This includes supporting search-and-rescue teams that must reach accident victims in remote areas and providing food during emergencies.

A significant focus of the awards is the promotion of health benefits through outdoor accessibility. The initiative aims to enable underserved youth, veterans, and the physically impaired to access the outdoors, recognizing the positive impact such access has on overall wellness.

Funding and Partnership Structure

The program is supported by a network of corporate partners providing both direct grants and sponsorship funding. As the presenting partner, CHASE will donate $5,000 to each of the 30 category finalists.

Additional contributions are provided by Premier Partner Artemis, which is contributing $100,000, and BBC Studios, a Gold Level Sponsor contributing $75,000. Other category sponsors include Disney, ei3, Outside Inc., Pelican, S&P Global Mobility, and WPP.

Since the program’s inception in 2021, the Defender Service Awards have awarded more than $1.5 million and 30 custom Defender vehicles to deserving organizations.

Application Process and Timeline

Charitable organizations eligible for the awards must be located in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or Canada. The application process requires the submission of videos detailing the organization’s work and impact.

The window for accepting video submissions opened on April 1, 2026, and will remain open until June 1, 2026. Individuals who know of a worthy organization can nominate them, after which the Defender brand will notify the organization to complete the full entry process.