BankWest Pierre and FHLB Award $148,750 to Area Orgs
BankWest and FHLB Des Moines awarded $148,750 in grant funding to the Boys & Girls Club of the Capital Area, PARS, Governor Grocery, South Dakota Discovery Center and Stanley County Schools.
BankWest Pierre and FHLB Award $148,750 to Area Orgs
BankWest and FHLB Des Moines awarded $148,750 in grant funding to the Boys & Girls Club of the Capital Area, PARS, Governor Grocery, South Dakota Discovery Center and Stanley County Schools.
BankWest, in partnership with Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines), is pleased to announce that the Boys & Girls Club of the Capital Area, PARS, Governor Grocery, South Dakota Discovery Center and Stanley County Schools will receive a total of $148,750 in grant funding from the Member Impact Fund. This matching grant program will result in BankWest and FHLB Des Moines awarding $700,000 in funding to support affordable housing and community development in South Dakota communities.
“At BankWest, we know lasting community impact happens when local nonprofits have the tools they need to meet real needs,” said Jason Smith, Regional Branch Manager at BankWest. “By partnering with FHLB Des Moines, we’re able to support organizations doing essential work—from improving access to food and safe spaces to expanding educational opportunities—helping strengthen quality of life across our communities.”
BankWest applied for and received matching grant funds for the following projects:
“Access to consistent, nutritious food is foundational to a child’s success,” said Hope Armstrong, co-founder of Governor Grocery. “This funding ensures hundreds of local students will have reliable meals outside the school day, easing food insecurity for families and helping kids return to school ready to learn.”
FHLB Des Moines provides funding solutions 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 FHLB Des Moines members matching grant donations to strengthen the ability of not-for-profits or government entities to support the needs of their communities.
“The Member Impact Fund is designed to help our members champion the organizations that make a real difference in their communities,” said Kris Williams, president and CEO of FHLB Des Moines. “By partnering with our members, we’re able to multiply resources and support their vital work as they continue to strengthen opportunities for the people they serve.”
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 job training, affordable housing, financial literacy, food banks and youth programs.
Since its launch in 2023, the Member Impact Fund has provided more than $83 million in grants from FHLB Des Moines, generating over $113 million in combined support for affordable housing and community development. Notably, every eligible application submitted to the program has received funding—reflecting the organization’s strong commitment to partnership and impact.
“At BankWest, we know lasting community impact happens when local nonprofits have the tools they need to meet real needs,” said Jason Smith, Regional Branch Manager at BankWest. “By partnering with FHLB Des Moines, we’re able to support organizations doing essential work—from improving access to food and safe spaces to expanding educational opportunities—helping strengthen quality of life across our communities.”
BankWest applied for and received matching grant funds for the following projects:
- Boys & Girls Club of the Capital Area ($35,000) – Funds will support the installation of a new surveillance and access-control system at the Stanley County GOLD site in Fort Pierre, enhancing safety and security for students, staff, and volunteers.
- PARS ($35,000) – Grant funds will fully support one semester of food for PARS’ BackPack Program, which provides weekly meal kits to 350–400 elementary students in Pierre and Fort Pierre, ensuring consistent access to nutritious food outside of school.
- Governor Grocery ($35,000) – Funding will advance plans to establish a climate‑controlled, on‑site food pantry for Pierre area middle and high school students. The project will expand beyond the current grab‑and‑go model to better serve the approximately 160 students in grades 6–12 who rely on Governor Grocery.
- South Dakota Discovery Center ($35,000) - Funds will support expansion of the Discovery Center’s outdoor Living Lab in Pierre—a community learning space that engages youth and families in hands‑on science and nature exploration. The project includes native and pollinator plantings, a water feature, simple scientific equipment, and a connection to an indoor observation beehive for year‑round learning.
- Buff Closet at Stanley County Schools ($8,750) – Grant funds will provide shelving and cupboards for the Buff Closet and help maintain vital supplies, including food, hygiene products, and clothing items, supporting all 430 students across the district.
“Access to consistent, nutritious food is foundational to a child’s success,” said Hope Armstrong, co-founder of Governor Grocery. “This funding ensures hundreds of local students will have reliable meals outside the school day, easing food insecurity for families and helping kids return to school ready to learn.”
FHLB Des Moines provides funding solutions 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 FHLB Des Moines members matching grant donations to strengthen the ability of not-for-profits or government entities to support the needs of their communities.
“The Member Impact Fund is designed to help our members champion the organizations that make a real difference in their communities,” said Kris Williams, president and CEO of FHLB Des Moines. “By partnering with our members, we’re able to multiply resources and support their vital work as they continue to strengthen opportunities for the people they serve.”
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 job training, affordable housing, financial literacy, food banks and youth programs.
Since its launch in 2023, the Member Impact Fund has provided more than $83 million in grants from FHLB Des Moines, generating over $113 million in combined support for affordable housing and community development. Notably, every eligible application submitted to the program has received funding—reflecting the organization’s strong commitment to partnership and impact.