How First State Bank Turned $26,500 Into $106,000 for Local Nonprofits

A unique grant partnership multiplied First State Bank’s contribution, bringing $106,000 in community grants to nine St. Louis-area nonprofits working to make a difference close to home.

What makes a community stronger?

Sometimes it’s a family finding an affordable place to call home. It’s a young person having a nutritious meal waiting after school. It’s someone gaining the skills and confidence to enter the workforce, or a small business owner getting the support needed to turn an idea into something that lasts.

At First State Bank of St. Charles, helping build that foundation matters to us. So when an opportunity came along to help bring more community grant funding to the St. Louis region while making our own investment go further, we took it.

In 2026, First State Bank participated in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines) Member Impact Fund, a competitive matching grant program newly available to member financial institutions in Missouri. The program supports local housing, business and economic needs that help communities thrive.

In partnership with FHLB Des Moines, First State Bank contributed $26,500 to nine nonprofit organizations serving the St. Louis region. FHLB Des Moines added a three-to-one match of $79,500, turning that contribution into $106,000 in total funding.

Nine Nonprofits, Nine Ways to Make a Difference

The numbers tell part of the story. Who those dollars help tells the rest.

There isn’t just one way to help a community thrive. It takes stable housing, access to food, meaningful work, successful local businesses and people willing to help their neighbors move forward.

The nine organizations supported through the Member Impact Fund each tackle a different piece of that work:

Boone Center, Inc. (BCI) will use funding for its Pre-Employment Program, helping individuals with developmental disabilities build skills, routines and hands-on experience to prepare for the workforce.

Keyway received support for housing and community reintegration services that combine stable housing with case management, recovery support, vocational assistance and financial literacy, helping participants work toward greater stability and independence.

Ritenour Co-Care, Inc. will use funding to purchase family-friendly groceries for its client-choice food pantry, where households can select familiar foods they’ll use at home while connecting with additional food resources.

Small Business Synergy Corporation received funding for small business counseling and its EDC-SBSC Incubator, giving entrepreneurs access to business planning, workforce development, training and resources to grow their businesses and create jobs.

Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Charles County received support for its Youth Food Program, helping offset rising food costs while also supporting raised garden beds for farming and nutrition workforce classes.

St. Charles Main Street Foundation will use funding to support improvements, programming and promotion throughout the 13-block Historic Main Street St. Charles district, helping attract visitors and support more than 300 local entrepreneurs, including shop owners and restaurateurs.

Community Living, Inc. received support for an employment program that helps people with disabilities explore careers, prepare for employment, find jobs and receive hands-on coaching — while connecting area employers with qualified workers.

Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County will put grant funding toward its Homeownership Program at the Haven Pointe development in Wentzville, helping families pursue safe, stable and affordable housing and build a foundation for long-term financial stability.

Chapel of the Lake will use funding for its food pantry to provide nutritious food and household necessities for local families, along with ready-to-eat weekend meals for children through Operation Backpack.

Different missions. Different people served. But together, these organizations open doors for more people to build brighter futures.

A Bigger Impact, Close to Home

First State Bank was one of 174 member institutions participating in the 2026 Member Impact Fund across Missouri. Together, those institutions contributed nearly $6.5 million, which FHLB Des Moines matched with approximately $19.4 million. In all, nearly $25.9 million was awarded to 720 eligible nonprofit and government organizations across the state.

Those are big numbers. But their impact happens on a much more personal scale — one family, one job, one meal, one home and one local business at a time.

For First State Bank, that’s what makes this partnership especially meaningful.

Our contribution reached further through matching funds. Nine nonprofit partners can now put those dollars to work in the places they know best. And together, we’re helping families, supporting local businesses, addressing food insecurity, expanding access to affordable housing and creating new opportunities for our neighbors.

Because at First State Bank, investing in the places we call home isn’t simply something we talk about. It’s something we put into action.