Commitment to Community is engrained in First Interstate's identity. From volunteerism to monetary donations, our people lead through service and give generously.
Our Mission, Vision, and Values set forth the relationships we expect to have with our clients, employees, shareholders, and the communities we serve. These relationships are closely integrated; one cannot do well without all the others. We are particularly proud of our servant leaders and the difference they make in the towns and cities they call home.
Creating the change they want to see.
With this in mind, First Interstate Bank and First Interstate BancSystem Foundation celebrate Giving Tuesday by highlighting employees and teams who live our values year-round.
Like and follow First Interstate's Facebook page, where we will profile 18 moving examples of service to others – employees nominated by their peers -- on Tuesday, November 29.
We know their stories will inspire you. The Foundation encourages our social media followers to comment on these Giving Tuesday posts, celebrating the nonprofits they love and support and why.
Each person who comments on these posts on Giving Tuesday will be entered into a drawing for a $1,000 grant. Our Foundation will give the grant in the commenter's name to the organization they highlighted in their comment.
Additionally, any First Interstate employee who donates $25 or more to a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit on Giving Tuesday and submits for an employee match will be entered into a drawing for two additional $1,000 grants to their supported nonprofit.
First Interstate will announce the grant winners the week of December 12, 2022.
Growing through giving.
We know through experience that a "go-above-and-beyond attitude" can make a big difference. Here's how we're making good happen where you live.
- Our inaugural Believe in Local Campaign, launched in 2021, provided $1 million in grants to 40 impactful nonprofit organizations across First Interstate's 14-state footprint. Nominated by our employees, each charity received a $25,000 gift to further its mission on behalf of First Interstate Bank.
- On Volunteer Day each September, all First Interstate Bank locations close at noon so our more than 3,500 employees can bring much-needed support to nonprofit organizations. In 2022, our team members gave 12,727 volunteer hours to 394 organizations to fulfill 542 service projects.
- We partnered with the University of Montana, Montana State University, Oregon State, and the University of Oregon to create the Community Hero Program, which honors ordinary people's extraordinary impact.
- Since the Foundation's inception in 1990, we have contributed $68.8 million toward enhancing the communities we serve. We are grateful to give at this level, but there's much more to the story than a dollar figure. Explore our Community Scorecard to learn how we nourish body, mind, and heart by putting people first, always.
Meet our Giving Tuesday honorees.
Idaho
Jackie Daly serves on the board of the CDA Backpack Program, which provides supplemental food to needy children. She also volunteered on the Cup of Grace board, helped with Newby Ginnings, and fundraised for the Kootenai County Police, Fire Memorial Foundation, and the Anna Schindler Foundation.
The Spirit Lake Team works weekly with Cup of Grace and the Spirit Lake Senior Center to ensure their community is fed and clothed. This team's volunteerism is their way of life; they give their time, energy, and hearts all year long.
Iowa
Lori Meyer is a vital part of the North Liberty Community Food Pantry, where she attends monthly meetings and volunteers for many of their fundraisers and events. Meyer leads by doing because she has a huge heart and loves her community.
Teresa Woods has been a board member of the Clarke County Hospital for more than 12 years. She works diligently to ensure her neighbors have a safe place to meet their healthcare needs, especially with Des Moines being 45 minutes away. She assists with planning, budgeting, and making decisions that impact the hospital.
Montana
Kristi Conroy volunteers and actively serves several area nonprofits. She's on the Board of United Way of Yellowstone County and Hope 2 One Life in Yellowstone County. She is also an avid supporter of Montana Special Olympics and unofficially serves as First Interstate's volunteer coordinator in Billings. Conroy is known for her creative ideas for employee-sponsored giving. She coordinates First Interstate Volunteer Day service projects in Billings, as well as our Centennial Youth Foundation grant awards, and drove discussion and policy at First Interstate in forming (and perfecting) our disaster relief responsiveness.
Violet Hankel is the President of Friends of the Depot and, through this organization, is working hard to bring activities to Hardin. Hankel was also elected president of the Hardin Chamber of Commerce and has logged around 70 volunteer hours. She spearheaded our First Interstate Bank branch coat drive and Teach Kids to Save financial education campaign. She also loves to fill in at the Senior Citizen Center, serving meals and helping at the local Food Bank.
Donna Pace donates much of her time to the Livingston community, a guiding figure for more than 15 years. She has been the Director of the Sister City exchange program for years and is also on the Board for Livingston Food Resource Center, Blue Slipper, and her church.
Nebraska
Matt Lindell is on the Board of Directors with the Midlands Latino Community Development Corporation (MLCDC), serving on their Finance Committee and leading their Loan Committee. He also has a relationship with the Heart Ministry Center, which has allowed First Interstate employees to teach Financial Literacy courses each Monday to their Fresh Start program. This program is a re-entry to society program for at-risk adults struggling with addiction. Matt also participates in teaching Financial Literacy at the Omaha Street School twice a month with the Leadership Academy, a program for at-risk teens.
Leland Poppe gives through Habitat for Humanity, United Way of Great Plains, Community Development through the Chamber of Commerce, North Platte Community Playhouse, and North Platte Rec Center. He dedicates his time to volunteering in the community, provides recommendations to the chamber of commerce, helps coordinate fundraising activities, donates his funds, and encourages community members to give back.
Oregon
Over the last four years, Aaron Hoefling has served as the annual campaign chair, the board president, and now the capital campaign leader for United Way of Jackson County. During that time, the community experienced devastating loss due to wildfire and the pandemic. Hoefling's time in leadership roles helped the organization raise millions to provide relief during disasters and helped reshape the organization as they expanded staff and implemented a new strategic plan. He has volunteered over 100 hours yearly, donated to the organization, and leveraged First Interstate's match program. You'll also see him lending his strength to CASA, Craterian Theatre, Access, and Southern Oregon Land Conservancy.
Dawn Cofer has supported The Giving Plate as a community advocate, past board member, donor, and volunteer. In addition to volunteering her time and treasure and attending community events for The Giving Plate, she also works on the board at Healing Reins. She brings work and donation boxes into the branch to encourage others to donate and help.
Amy Frazier and her team put together a car wash for Pick of the Litter and raised over $600 one Saturday doing the car wash and a drive in the branch to collect food and supplies for the animals. She contributes to Habitat for Humanity and organizes letter writing to troops yearly around the holidays. Frazier shows outstanding leadership; her excitement is contagious.
South Dakota
Tom Weaver sits on several boards, including Elevate Rapid City, YMCA, Post 22, and Sportsmen Against Hunger, and is very well respected in his community. He is a tireless advocate, coordinating volunteer projects and donations in addition to his board service and gifts. He is a constant champion for anyone he thinks he can help.
This year, 2022, the First Interstate Bank Sturgis Team hosted the 28th annual Festival of Trees. This Christmas tree and wreath auction raises money for Hospice and the FIB Greater Sturgis Area Fund, which supports nonprofits in the Sturgis area. This event has raised over $775,000 for these charities. The staff spends hundreds of hours organizing the auction and decor, preparing materials for the event, emceeing, and coordinating and communicating following the event.
Washington
Ryan Schneidmiller is an active member and volunteer for HRC, Greater Good, Family Response, Vanessa Behan, Life Services, and Adult and Teen Closet. He gives to many organizations through time and treasure because he loves seeing the difference it makes in the community in which he lives.
Cara Blodgett and the Spokane Northside Team give through Spokane Edible Tree Project, Caritas Food Pantry, Christ Kitchen, Vanessa Behan, Teen & Kid Closet, Evergreen East Mountain Bike Alliance, Ukraine Closet, Petsavers, St John Vianney, Beekind Garden, Spokane Humane Society, Project Beauty Share, and Second Harvest. When COVID hit, the Spokane Northside team struggled with not being able to volunteer in person. To remedy this, they created a Drive Thru fundraising program to support a different nonprofit each month. It started with cash donations and quickly evolved to food, hygiene, and clothing drives through our drive-thru. When the branches re-opened, Spokane Northside decided to continue its efforts.
Wyoming
Stacey Slocum has helped deliver meals to disabled and senior community members weekly for 16 years through the Natrona County Meals on Wheels. Stacey's commitment over the last 16 years to this organization and its mission is inspiring to say the least. No matter the weather or how busy she might be, she commits to demonstrating her belief in this mission.
Stacy Arnold serves on the Compass Center for Families board as Treasurer. He heads the Finance committee and is an integral part of budget reviews, ensuring the sustainability and success of the operations and many projects that Compass Center for Families supports in the two counties of Johnson and Sheridan. His actions help to build strong communities by strengthening families.