Believe in Local grant campaign launches—40 nonprofit partners chosen by employees will receive $1M in total gifts
First Interstate Bank, in partnership with the First Interstate BancSystem Foundation, has kicked off its inaugural Believe in Local grant campaign to celebrate the Bank’s longstanding commitment to the communities it serves. Forty nonprofit organizations across First Interstate’s 14-state footprint will each receive a $25,000 gift to further their mission on behalf of First Interstate Bank neighbors and markets.
“Giving back to the places we call home is central to who we are as a community bank,” said Kevin Riley, President and CEO of First Interstate Bank. “Our Believe in Local grant program captures our core values in action and is the ideal way to celebrate the communities we serve. Our neighbors will see our dedication to alleviating the various and diverse challenges in the places where we live, work, and grow.”
The first two Believe in Local grants will be awarded the week of July 11; recipients are based out of Sheridan, Wyo. and Sioux Falls, S.D. respectively. This is to honor the founding communities of both First Interstate Bank and Great Western Bank and their recently completed merger on Feb. 1, 2022. New nonprofit grant recipients will be announced each week thereafter until Sept. 14 when First Interstate Bank marks its fifth annual Volunteer Day, closing all branches at noon to offer employees paid time to volunteer in their communities.
Selected nonprofit organizations were first nominated by employees then vetted by a committee of First Interstate Bank employees to ensure funding would achieve the Bank’s low-moderate income and DEI priorities.
“Our employees are the driving force behind all the great philanthropic work we do as a bank,” said Amberly Pahut, executive director of the First Interstate BancSystem Foundation. “They not only volunteer their time but help target our giving to the organizations creating the biggest impact in their neighborhoods. Believe in Local further empowers our team with opportunities and resources to magnify the impact of these nonprofits.”
First Interstate Bank made a $21.5 million donation to the First Interstate BancSystem Foundation in concert with the Great Western Bank merger to deploy meaningful and relevant assistance across the expanded footprint. This is in addition to First Interstate’s annual donation of 2% of its pre-tax earnings to local communities through Foundation grants and donations. These funds aid in the improvement of workforce development, boost early childhood education, improve financial literacy across all age groups, and mitigate poverty, among other worthwhile initiatives.
To learn more about First Interstate Bank’s philanthropic work, please check out our Community Scorecard on our website.
To follow the latest Believe in Local campaign announcements, visit the Believe in Local microsite or follow First Interstate Bank on LinkedIn and Facebook.