Bank partnership leads to $700,000 of donations in South Dakota

Twelve local organizations, $700,000, and our big check deserves its own salary after all the work it’s put in these past two weeks.

We’re beyond grateful for Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines’ (FHLB Des Moines) partnership in giving back to our communities through their Member Impact Fund program.

“This program has allowed us to turn $200,000 in gifts from First National Bank into $700,000,” said Director of Corporate Affairs Bob Baker. “Our bank’s Charitable Committee carefully selected 12 local organizations to support, with FHLB providing matching funds to more than double our impact.”

Now that we’ve presented all 12 checks, we’d like to highlight the recipients:

Bishop Dudley Hospitality House – $157,500

With its mission to provide shelter, food, and counseling to people and families in need, this grant will support the Bishop Dudley Hospitality House’s Open Doors, Open Arms campaign.

First National Bank presents a check to the Bishop Dudley Hospitality House.

Boys and Girls Club of the Sioux Empire – $112,000

We made this contribution for the Club at George McGovern Middle School, which offers education opportunities and support to middle school students in Sioux Falls.

First National Bank presents a check to the Boys and Girls Club of the Sioux Empire.

Call to Freedom – $17,500

Established by founder Becky Rasmussen (pictured below holding the check) in 2016, Call to Freedom provides specialized services and care for individuals affected by human trafficking.

First National Bank presents a check to Call to Freedom.

Children’s Home Society of South Dakota – $17,500

This grant was extra meaningful for Director of Corporate Affairs Bob Baker, who serves on the board of directors for the Children’s Home Foundation.

The funds will go toward the Children’s Home Shelter for Family Safety in Sioux Falls.

First National Bank presents a Member Impact Fund check at the Children's Home Society of South Dakota.

Flandreau Sports Association – $87,500

The Warehouse is a new recreation center and athletic facility in Flandreau with a great story.

It’s being built entirely by volunteers and funded with donations from the public, including this grant from FNB and FHLB Des Moines.

First National Bank presents a Member Impact Fund check at The Warehouse in Flandreau.

The construction crew has made more progress since we stopped by in February, but here’s a preview of the facility to come!

A future athletic facility under construction.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sioux Falls – $36,750

As a proud partner to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sioux Falls — we’ve sponsored their annual Women Build event for many years and also volunteer at it — we’re excited to support their work of providing affordable housing with this grant.

First National Bank presents a check to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sioux Falls.

LifeScape Foundation – $35,000

This grant will go toward construction of LifeScape’s new Children’s Services Campus in Sioux Falls, on which the nonprofit broke ground in 2024.

First National Bank presents a check to the LifeScape Foundation.

Sioux Falls Cares – $17,500

Since 1991, Sioux Falls Cares has delivered gifts, food, and clothes to families in need throughout our community.

First National Bank presents a check to Sioux Falls Cares.

Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium – $140,000

Sarah Hogg, a Senior Family Office Advisor in our Wealth Management department and fourth-generation Baker family shareholder, had the opportunity to join the groundbreaking for the future butterfly house and aquarium in October.

Our grant will support that project unfolding at the Great Plains Zoo.

First National Bank presents a Member Impact Fund check at the Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium.

We’ll also have naming rights for the new Butterfly Emergence Window, which will be named after Sarah’s dad. Richard C. (Dick) Baker was actively involved with the Butterfly House during his lifetime.

Enjoy these bonus shots from the check presentation:

Sarah Hogg speaks at a check presentation to the Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium.

Sarah Hogg (far left) speaks at our check presentation to the Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium.

Chris Ekstrum holds the Member Impact Fund presentation check.

President & CEO Chris Ekstrum holds the impressive FNB x FHLB check.

Bob Baker picks a fish sticker to add to the donor “aquarium.”

Bob Baker picks a fish sticker to add to the donor “aquarium.”

"Bring the reef to life one fish at a time."

TeamMates Mentoring of Sioux Falls – $17,500

According to TeamMates Mentoring of Sioux Falls, the average cost for the program to support a mentoring relationship is $450.

That funding comes from local partnerships, donations, and fundraisers, so this grant will stretch far to provide mentorship to students in our community.

First National Bank presents a check to TeamMates Mentoring of Sioux Falls.

The Banquet Sioux Falls – $17,500

Serving at The Banquet remains a favorite volunteer activity for our teammates, plus Senior Accountant Jessica Pfeifer (pictured below holding the check) takes her volunteerism a step forward by serving as a member of The Banquet’s Executive Board.

This grant will nourish members of our community for many meals to come.

First National Bank presents a check to The Banquet Sioux Falls.

Veterans Community Project of Sioux Falls – $43,750

Since the early days of the Veterans Community Project of Sioux Falls, we’ve stepped in to aid their mission of providing housing and support services to our community’s veterans.

From sponsoring the house pictured below, to furnishing a home through a donation drive, to volunteering on site, this grant is our latest way of showing the VCP how grateful we are for what they do to uplift our community.

First National Bank presents a Member Impact Fund check at the Veterans Community Project of Sioux Falls.

Member Impact Fund makes a difference in South Dakota

In partnership with FHLB Des Moines and their 2026 Member Impact Fund, a total of 56 member financial institutions presented $13.3 million to 356 organizations across South Dakota.

We think it’s only right to acknowledge that First National Bank is just a small part of that impact.

We’re so proud of the generosity displayed by our fellow banks through this program: $700,000 from First Bank & Trust, $619,500 from Reliabank, and the list goes on.

When people, groups, and organizations come together in our communities, that’s the level of impact we can have. It makes us proud to call South Dakota home.