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Special Olympics Montana (SOMT) received a surprise gift of $400,000 from First Interstate Bank and the First Interstate BancSystem Foundation. The gift was made possible by the Member Impact Fund grant program, in which First Interstate received a 3-to-1 funding match from Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of Des Moines. This donation serves as the final distribution granted as a part of First Interstate’s Member Impact Fund partnership in 2024.
“On behalf of more than 3,500 Special Olympics Montana athletes served annually, I want to express our gratitude for this generous gift. This significant donation from First Interstate Bank will enable us to further transform lives through the joy of sport, each and every day,” said Rhonda McCarty, CEO of Special Olympics Montana.
SOMT is dedicated to ensuring all members of the community thrive. Since 1970, the organization has provided athletic training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. For the last 50 years, SOMT has given athletes the opportunity to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and grow in relationship with families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.
There are more than 3,500 Special Olympics athletes registered in 256 programs from 65 Montana communities. More than 5,600 Montana volunteers help organize and host local, area and state level competitions. SOMT is accredited by Special Olympics, Inc. and headquartered in Great Falls, Montana.
“This is what community banking is all about – helping the places we call home reach their greatest potential,” said First Interstate President and CEO Kevin Riley. “As a premier sponsor of Special Olympics Montana’s State Summer Games for many years, we’ve seen firsthand how the organization’s mission transforms the lives of the athletes, their families, and our communities. We are grateful to FHLB Des Moines for partnering with us on this initiative and are thrilled to put our values into action for the benefit of our communities.”
The Member Impact Fund is a matching grant program from FHLB Des Moines that was introduced in 2023 with the aim of supporting affordable housing and community development initiatives. As a result of this partnership with FHLB Des Moines, First Interstate provided nearly $2.6 million in philanthropic support this year to 125 eligible organizations across Montana, North Dakota, and Oregon.
Additionally, First Interstate makes annual donations and grants to local community organizations throughout its 14-state footprint, with contributions funded by pre-tax earnings. These funds aid in a host of valuable initiatives, including alleviating hunger, improving workforce development, boosting early childhood education, and mitigating poverty.
More details about Special Olympics Montana can be found at https://www.somt.org/.