New Pathways has received a $200,000 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. 

New Pathways empowers and provides support to families in central Minnesota experiencing homelessness. The program helps families regain their independence by providing them access to shelter, food, and clothing as well as equitable services tailored to meet each family’s unique needs. 

“Most of the families we serve are led by a single parent, and the majority of our clients are children,” said Mary Westlund, Executive Director of New Pathways. “This funding will help us reach even more families by doubling our capacity, allowing us to meet growing needs and deepen our impact across the communities we serve.” 

With the allocated grant funding, New Pathways will support the growing community need, with expansion plans anticipated to increase the organization’s service impact by 100%.   

“New Pathways addresses a critical need in the Cambridge community by providing essential support and resources to families in need,” said Allen Goldsmith, Community Bank President at First Bank & Trust, Cambridge. “We are grateful to support their mission and contribute to their continued growth and impact.” 

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 nonprofit organizations 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 New Pathways 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.