Great Southern Bank Awards $400,000 Through Member Impact Fund

Great Southern Bank, in partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines), today announced $400,000 in combined grants to 23 nonprofit organizations across Missouri through the Member Impact Fund. The matching grant program is designed to amplify the community engagement of FHLB Des Moines member institutions that support affordable housing and community development. Great Southern Bank contributed $100,000, which FHLB Des Moines matched 3-to-1 with an additional $300,000, bringing the combined total to $400,000 for organizations in Springfield, St. Louis, Kansas City, Lebanon, Branson, West Plains, Joplin and Columbia.

 

"These are strong community partners whose work aligns directly with what the Member Impact Fund is designed to support,” said Andrea Brady, community outreach and development manager for Great Southern Bank. “We carefully considered organizations across our footprint, and this partnership with FHLB Des Moines lets us extend that support even further, reaching more people who need it, whether that's a family working toward stable housing or a neighborhood building toward a stronger future."

 

This year’s Member Impact Fund awards represent one of the largest single rounds of community investment in Great Southern Bank’s 103-year history, reaching organizations in communities across the state. Every organization receiving a grant qualified under the Member Impact Fund’s two eligible use categories: affordable housing or community and economic development. This means each dollar awarded is tied directly to expanding housing access or strengthening local economic opportunity.

 

In Springfield, six organizations will share $126,000 in combined grants: Care to Learn, Drew Lewis Foundation, Help Give Hope, Restore SGF, The Victim Center and Victory Mission.

 

In St. Louis, seven organizations will share $126,000 in combined grants: Catholic Charities Housing, College Bound, DeSales Community Development, Employment Connection, Prosperity Connection, Tabernacle Community Development Corp. and Tower Grove Community Development Corp.

 

In Kansas City, two organizations will share $40,000 in combined grants: Newhouse and Pro Deo Youth Center.

 

In Lebanon, Branson and West Plains, three organizations will share $52,000 in combined grants: COPE, Elevate Branson and Ozark Action.

 

In Joplin, two organizations will share $20,000 in combined grants: Bright Futures Connections for Success and Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Four States.

 

In Columbia, three organizations will share $36,000 in combined grants supporting affordable housing and community development programs: Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture, Love Columbia and Voluntary Action Center.

 

“The Member Impact Fund is designed to help our members champion the organizations that make a real difference in their communities,” said Kris Williams, president and chief executive officer of FHLB Des Moines. “By partnering with our members, we’re able to multiply resources and support their vital work as they continue to strengthen opportunities for the people they serve.”

 

In Missouri, 956 applications received funding through partnerships with 174 member institutions. FHLB Des Moines matched $3 for every $1 contributed by a member institution, resulting in $6.46 million from members and $19.36 million awarded by FHLB Des Moines.

 

Since its launch in 2023, the Member Impact Fund has provided more than $106 million in grants from FHLB Des Moines, generating over $144 million in combined support for affordable housing and community development. Notably, every eligible application submitted to the program has received funding, reflecting the Bank’s strong commitment to partnership and impact.

 

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