With charitable giving in decline, the need to support local organizations addressing the most pressing needs in communities grows. Housing, healthcare costs, and homelessness — to name a few — are challenges exacerbated by Covid-19 and inflation.
To help address the needs in local communities, Washington Trust partnered with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines) to award a total of $500,000 in grant dollars from the FHLB Des Moines Member Impact Fund. The Bank served as a sponsor for recipient organizations in the Washington communities of Moses Lake, Vancouver, Seattle, and Spokane.
About the Member Impact Fund
The $3 to $1 matching grant program offers eligible organizations critical financial support for affordable housing and community development initiatives throughout Washington. In partnership with FHLB Des Moines financial institution members, more than 250 grants ranging from $10,000 to $1 million were awarded. The Member Impact Fund grants will be used for a variety of purposes such as down payment assistance, emergency housing, financial literacy, food banks, youth programs and more.
The recipients
Excelsior Wellness (Spokane, WA - $100,000) aligns people, institutions, and resources to restore and preserve the community’s mental, emotional and physical health, and well-being.
Rainer Valley Community Development Fund (Seatle, WA - $50,000) seeks to preserve and strengthen cultural diversity, long-term livability, and economic opportunity throughout southeast Seattle by providing lending capital to entrepreneurs and developers that enhance the quality of life in the community.
Thrive International (Spokane, WA - $50,000) provides temporary-refugee housing, education, and empowerment programs to immigrants in eastern Washington and north Idaho.
AHANA Multi-Ethnic Business Association (Spokane, WA - $40,000) provides education, technical assistance, and outreach to all multi-ethnic and multicultural businesses owners and their communities. AHANA is an acronym for Asian, Hispanic, African, Native American.
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Moses Lake (Moses Lake, WA - $40,000) Habitat for Humanity's vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live, and works towards this vision by building and improving homes in partnership with individuals and families in need of affordable housing.
Impact Capital (Seattle, WA - $30,000) raises capital from banks and foundations to provide flexible loans and technical assistance that help nonprofits develop and preserve affordable housing, cultural and community centers, retail districts, schools and childcare centers, job training facilities and more.
Open House Ministries (Vancouver, WA - $30,000) is a faith-based community organization helping homeless families by providing shelter and intervention through Christ-centered, life-changing programs.
Grant County Economic Development Council (Moses Lake, WA - $20,000) is dedicated to promoting economic growth while supporting the people who make the community thrive.
Lighthouse Financial Foundation (Vancouver, WA - $20,000) assists individuals and families in Southwest Washington and the Portland Metro Area that seek financial wellness. Lighthouse helps financially stabilize families in need and give them the tools they need to create a budget for today and plan for tomorrow.
In the community
Washington Trust seeks to help its neighbors and neighborhoods flourish, and that means advocating for investments that help local communities to thrive. Washington Trust does so through supporting and lending to projects that revitalize neighborhoods, create affordable housing, and promote economic and job growth. To learn more about our volunteer work and philanthropy, visit our Community page.