Chinook' Friends of the Pool and Park receive $60,000 through Independence Bank

Press release

CHINOOK - The Friends of the Pool and Park Foundation announced that Independence Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines have provided a $60,000 grant from the FHLB Des Moines Member Impact Fund.

This matching grant program, which was introduced in 2023, provides nearly $20 million to eligible organizations in order to strengthen communities in target areas of the FHLB Des Moines district. In 2024, the FHLB Des Moines increased the Member Impact Fund by $10 million.

"Independence is proud to be able to give back to our communities and the local pools have always been beneficial for the youth. We are happy to be able to utilize our membership with FHLB to support the Chinook area" said Karene Faber, Independence Bank Havre Branch president.

"We are so thankful for Independence Bank and their amazing donation to the Chinook Pool and Park Project," Friends board members said. "It is businesses like Independence Bank that have catapulted our fundraising efforts for Phase A of the Chinook Pool and Park Rehabilitation Project which includes repairing the Chinook Pool. The community of Chinook is beyond grateful for the wonderful donation made by Independence Bank, we can't say thank you enough to Karene and the entire team for their wonderful donation to such an important cause for Chinook."

FHLB Des Moines provides funding solutions and liquidity 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 $3 for every $1 of an eligible FHLB Des Moines member's grant donation to strengthen the ability of not-for-profits or government entities to serve the affordable housing or community development needs of their communities. The Member Impact Fund awards are given in partnership with member financial institutions to communities in their district to become more vibrant places to live and work.

"The Member Impact Fund is just one way that FHLB Des Moines enables our members to connect directly with local organizations who matter to them, creating value and a lasting impact in their own communities" said Kris Williams, president and CEO of FHLB Des Moines. "The commitment of members like Independence Bank and their connections to organizations like the Friends of the Pool and Park Foundation, help advance the positive work being done in its community."

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 training, predevelopment assistance, community needs assessment and working capital.

For anyone interested in making a donation, they can be made on the Foundation's website at https://www.chinookfriends.org/donations where people can donate several different ways. The site has links to GoFundMe, they can also pay with a credit card through Paypal or donations can be mailed to Friends of the Pool and Park Foundation at PO Box 785, Chinook, MT 59523.