In a rooftop garden ceremony at the Jessie Ball duPont Center Friday, United Way of Northeast Florida and community leaders were presented with an $8,000 State Farm Good Neighbor Citizenship grant.

Over the past three years, State Farm has contributed $35,000 to United Way’s RealSense initiative, which provides free financial-stability resources to Northeast Florida residents.

“We are very grateful for State Farm’s generous support over the years,” said Rebecca Thompson, interim director of RealSense. “The grant will allow our team of partners and volunteers to enhance and expand their impact across the area.”

Thompson said the State Farm funding will be used to support RealSense tax preparation, financial education and integrated services at RealSense Prosperity Place throughout the year.

This tax season alone, RealSense filed nearly 21,000 free tax returns, saving clients close to $5.3 million in tax-preparation fees with refunds totaling more than $27.2 million.

“RealSense is a vital resource for Northeast Florida residents,” said Michelle Braun, president and CEO of United Way of Northeast Florida. “We are so appreciative of State Farm’s continued support and that of other valued partners as we work to guide hardworking families and individuals on a path to prosperity.”