Choice Bank Donates $444,000 to 26 Minnesota Nonprofits
Choice Bank has donated $444,000 to 26 different nonprofits in Minnesota, supporting affordable housing and community development needs. These donations were made possible through a partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines’ Member Impact Fund. The Member Impact Fund contributed $3 to every $1 donated by Choice Bank, tripling the impact of the donation.
Choice Bank was able to submit grant applications on behalf of multiple organizations that directly impact our Minnesota communities. These donations will help support critical needs, including a $40,000 donation to YouthLink to support young people experiencing homelessness, $60,000 to Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity to address poverty in Moorhead, and $60,000 to The Link to support youth and families experiencing homelessness in Minneapolis, among other initiatives. See all of Choice Bank’s donations below.
“At Choice Bank, we’re committed to bettering the places we live by supporting the people and businesses that shape our communities,” said Cristen Purdy, Market President – SBA and Community Impact Lending at Choice Bank. “Thanks to the Member Impact Fund, we’ve been able to extend our reach and make a meaningful difference in the lives of the community members we serve. Supporting our communities isn’t just a goal—it’s the core of who we are.”
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 up to $3 for every $1 in 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 continues to be a powerful resource in supporting our members as they expand access to affordable housing and drive community development,” said Kris Williams, president and CEO of FHLB Des Moines. “It’s inspiring to see the partnerships centered around improving local communities in such a variety of ways.”
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.
In 2024, Choice Bank donated $628,000 to 20 nonprofits in North Dakota through this same program.
Donation Details
A Place for Hope and Recovery and Wellness Center, Inc.: $10,000
Moorhead, MN
A Place For Hope (AP4H) operates from the clubhouse model of psychosocial rehabilitation by supporting people with a history of mental illness rejoin society and maintain their place in it. AP4H utilizes the Eight Dimensions of Wellness approach to help members connect with each other through planned activities, community outings, meal gatherings, volunteering, and peer-to-peer mentoring.
Best Prep: $12,000
Brooklyn Park, MN
BestPrep is a Minnesota-based nonprofit organization that provides educational programs to students in grades 4-12, with the mission of preparing students with business, career, and financial literacy skills through hands-on experiences that inspire success in work and life.
Breakaway, Inc.: $10,000
Minneapolis, MN
Breakaway provides a secure environment for chronic alcoholics in Minneapolis, MN. The program offers living quarters, counseling and job placement to approximately 80 participants each year.
Dilworth Police Department: $12,000
Dilworth, MN
The Dilworth Police Department will use this donation to fund community events, promote community engagement, and enhance public safety.
CommonBond Communities: $20,000
Saint Paul, MN
Since 1971, CommonBond has been building stable homes, strong futures, and vibrant communities. Their vision is to ensure that every person has a dignified, affordable home that supports independence and advancement within a flourishing community.
Division of Indian Work: $10,000
Minneapolis, MN
The Division of Indian Work (DIW) has been a key contributor to the Native community for over 70 years. Their mission is to support and strengthen urban American Indian people through culturally-based education, traditional healing approaches, and leadership development.
First Presbyterian Church of Moorhead Food Justice Program: $10,000
Moorhead, MN
This donation will support the Market Bucks program, a key component of the Moorhead Farmers Market’s food access strategy that helps to make fresh, local food more affordable for income-eligible residents. Through this program, customers using SNAP/EBT benefits can receive matched dollars in the form of Market Bucks and Produce Bucks, which are redeemable with vendors throughout the market. This effectively increases their purchasing power and promotes healthy food choices.
Fortis Capital: $10,000
Minneapolis, MN
Fortis Capital is a non-profit corporation engaged in economic development finance in Minneapolis. Their mission is to ensure entrepreneurs can access capital regardless of their ethnicity, identity, or geography by bridging the gap through innovative financing for entrepreneurs.
Hope Fieldhouse: $10,000
Rosemount, MN
The Hope Fieldhouse’s mission is to enhance and enrich the lives of children and their families within the community by providing a quality athletic facility that is purposeful, safe, and fun.
Hope, Inc.: $10,000
Moorhead, MN
HOPE, Inc. provides adaptive team sports and recreational activities to kids and adults living with mobility challenges.
Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity: $60,000
Moorhead, MN
Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity constructs homes for those living in poverty in Clay County, MN.
Lionsgate Foundation: $10,000
St. Louis Park, MN
Lionsgate Foundation’s vision is to expand opportunities, dissolve barriers, and increase belonging between students with autism, their families, and the broader autism community
Mile in My Shoes: $10,000
Minneapolis, MN
Mile in My Shoes uses the power of running to bring together people from diverse backgrounds to build connections, boost wellness, spark social change, and center people traditionally excluded from running spaces.
Minneapolis Nature Preschool: $10,000
Minneapolis, MN
The Minneapolis Nature Preschool cultivates the innate curiosity and wonder of young children through nature-based education in Minneapolis.
Minnesota Adoption Resource Network: $10,000
Minneapolis, MN
Since 1980, Foster Adopt Minnesota has been focused on the goal of ensuring that every Minnesota child grows up in a safe and nurturing family.
Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans: $20,000
Saint Paul, MN
The Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans provides services, including housing, employment, and legal aid, that address the reasons for Veterans’ homelessness to create sustainable housing opportunities.
Minnesota Medication Repository Program – RoundtableRx: $10,000
Saint Paul, MN
RoundtableRx’s mission is to offer safe and affordable medication to Minnesotans in need, provide continuity of care, and reduce waste by redistributing unused medications.
Minnesota Military Family Foundation: $10,000
Minneapolis, MN
The mission of the Minnesota Military Family Foundation is to provide timely financial assistance to deployed and currently serving Minnesota military personnel and their families.
Next Stage: $10,000
Bloomington, MN
NextStage is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support entrepreneurs at every stage.
North Country Food Bank, Inc.: $20,000
East Grand Forks, MN
North Country Food Bank is a 501(c)3 charitable non-profit and is the largest hunger-relief organization in northwest and west central Minnesota.
Plymouth Christian Youth Center: $10,000
Minneapolis, MN
PCYC is committed to working faithfully and creatively toward a bright future focused on education, art, equity, and justice for the children, youth, and families of North Minneapolis and beyond.
Project for Pride in Living: $20,000
Minneapolis, MN
PPL builds the hope, assets, and self-reliance of individuals and families who have lower incomes by providing transformative affordable housing and career readiness services.
The Link: $60,000
Minneapolis, MN
The Link supports youth and families experiencing homelessness, young people who are survivors of sex trafficking, and youth who are involved in the juvenile justice system.
The Open Door: $20,000
Eagan, MN
The Open Door provides food support for low-income individuals and families across Dakota County.
Washburn Center for Children: $10,000
Minneapolis, MN
Washburn Center for Children’s mission is to nurture every child and family’s well-being and full potential through transformative children’s mental health care.
YouthLink: $40,000
Minneapolis, MN
YouthLink serves young people ages 16-24 experiencing or at risk of homelessness in the Twin Cities, MN.
Bettering the places we live is one of our core values and these donations will help create more vibrant places to live and work. We’re dedicated to supporting the families and businesses in our communities. Learn about our People First history here.