NeighborWorks Home Partners (NWHP) has received a $140,000 grant from First Bank & Trust and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines) through the Member Impact Fund. This grant is part of $20 million in funding awarded by FHLB Des Moines through a matching grant program to support affordable housing and community development in Minnesota. 

NWHP helps families buy and maintain their homes. They are a community-based nonprofit providing support for individuals across Minnesota. 

“We focus our services on communities that have historically faced barriers to homeownership,” said Jason Peterson, Chief Executive Officer of NWHP. “Our goal is to equip people with the knowledge they need to become successful homeowners and to be the go-to resource for building and sustaining homeownership.” 

With the grant, NWHP will strengthen its ability to serve families by investing in staffing and training. Trained professionals will provide trusted support for families through homebuyer education, financial coaching, foreclosure prevention counseling, down payment assistance, and home repair lending programs, ensuring more families can buy, fix, and keep their homes. 

“NeighborWorks Home Partners addresses a critical need in the Twin Cities Metro area by providing essential support and resources to families looking for housing,” said Paul Schuster, Regional Mortgage Banking Manager at First Bank & Trust. “We are grateful to support their mission and contribute to their continued growth and impact in our area.” 

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 enables our members to directly support local organizations who matter to them, creating value and a profound impact in their own communities,” said Kris Williams, president and CEO of FHLB Des Moines. “The commitment of First Bank & Trust to champion organizations like NWHP inspires us all.”   

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 founding in 2023, the Member Impact Fund has supported affordable housing and community development with nearly $70 million in grants awarded by FHLB Des Moines. Member institutions apply and receive Member Impact Fund matching grants to be distributed to eligible organizations alongside their own grant contribution.