First Bank of Montana, in partnership with Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines), is pleased to announce that the Big Sandy Rotary received a $10,000 grant from the FHLB Des Moines Member Impact Fund and First Bank of Montana.
FHLB Des Moines provides funding solutions and liquidity to more than 1,200 members to support mortgage lending, economic development, and affordable housing in the communities they serve. The Member Impact Fund provides $3 for every $1 of an eligible FHLB Des Moines member's grant donation to strengthen the ability of not-for-profits or government entities to serve the affordable housing or community development needs of their communities. The Member Impact Fund awards are given in partnership with member financial institutions to communities in their districts to become more vibrant places to live and work. This is the second year that FHLB Des Moines offered the Member Impact Fund, which is designed for members to directly strengthen communities within targeted areas in its district.
First Bank of Montana's Regional Market President, Shaud Schwarzbach, states "First Bank of Montana is proud to partner with the FHLB Des Moines to contribute to a great project in the Big Sandy Community. The funds committed to Big Sandy Rotary's project to improve the outdoor recreation area are much needed and will benefit the whole community."
The Big Sandy Rotary Club performs projects to act on issues in the Big Sandy community. They focus on the upkeep of local parks and recreational facilities, which includes the area used for the baseball field and soccer field, supporting education, and growing local economies.
These funds will be used for improvements to the baseball field in Big Sandy, MT. About 10 years ago, a very wet spring caused widespread flooding in and around town, which also flooded the fields. The water had no place to go for a long period of time which resulted in severe damages. The drainage of the fields has been improved; however, the irrigation system, fencing, and dugout facilities still need improvements. These improvements are crucial to the community as the baseball field complex is used for baseball, soccer, frisbee golf, and is a community gathering point.
In addition to First Bank of Montana's partnership with the FHLB Member Impact Fund, Big Sandy Rotary will be matching the $10,000 grant for a total of $20,000 to be available for this project.
Big Sandy Rotary's Treasurer, Bob Nelson, shares "Big Sandy Rotary Club is the major community service organization promoting projects to improve and maintain our small-town. We are so excited that First Bank of Montana and FHLB Des Moines share our vision and stepped forward with this major donation. The project to refurbish the sports complex recreation area is long overdue and a real need for all our citizens. Projects of this size and scope require many hours of labor and sizeable financial contributions to complete. Our community is excellent at coming together to contribute manual labor but the need for funds always slows down progress. Your dollars will support the project moving forward by allowing for the purchase of the supplies needed for the turf infrastructure upgrades."
First Bank of Montana, in partnership with the FHLB, donated $420,000 to 13 non-profit organizations across our Central Montana footprint.
In addition to First Bank of Montana's participation in this program, all Montana divisions of Glacier Bank, in partnership with the FHLB, donated $2,048,600 to 100 non-profit organizations and government entities across the state of Montana.
Recipient organizations were selected based on the needs for grant funding to support capacity-building or working capital necessary to strengthen their ability to serve affordable housing or community development needs, including training, predevelopment assistance, management information systems or software, strategic planning, market study or community needs assessment, and working capital.
The Member Impact Fund is part of FHLB Des Moines' ongoing mission to offer a variety of funding options through its members to support affordable housing and community development needs. Kris Williams, President and CEO of FHLB Des Moines, shares, "We are thrilled to see grants from our Member Impact Fund having a direct, positive impact on the communities in which our members help advance affordable housing and community development needs in a meaningful way."
First Bank of Montana, Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender
