MARSHALL — Area community groups have received a boost this summer, through a partnership of local financial institutions and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines. The combined total of funds awarded within Lyon County through FHLB Des Moines’ Member Impact Fund is more than $200,000.

Area grant recipients said the funds will make a difference for community programs and projects. In Cottonwood, the Cottonwood Area Community Foundation received $100,000 that will go toward improvements at Lakeside Park, including building a splash pad.

“Because of generous grants such as these, our foundation can continue to fulfill our goal of funding the needs and opportunities in the Cottonwood community,” said Linda Dieken, of the Cottonwood Area Community Foundation.

In Marshall, fund recipients included nonprofits like the Marshall Area YMCA, United Community Action Partnership’s food shelf, and United Way of Southwest Minnesota.

FHLB Des Moines announced this summer that it was awarding $20 million through the Member Impact Fund to support communities across Minnesota. The Member Impact Fund is a matching grant program that helps local financial institutions amplify their own support for community organizations. FHLB Des Moines matches up to $3 for every $1 contributed by a member institution.

“The Member Impact Fund continues to be a powerful resource in supporting our members as they expand access to affordable housing and drive community development,” said Kris Williams, president and CEO of FHLB Des Moines. “It’s inspiring to see the partnerships centered around improving local communities in such a variety of ways.”

Among the recipients of Member Impact Fund awards this year are groups from around southwest Minnesota. Some of the groups in FHLB’s listing of Minnesota grant recipients included the Granite Falls Fire Department and Avera Granite Falls Ambulance, the Lee-Mar Ranch Equine Center, the Canby Public School District, Minneota Public School, the Redwood Area Food Shelf, the Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership, the Tracy Area United Fund, and WoMen’s Rural Advocacy Programs.

The Cottonwood Area Community Foundation received a total $100,000 for their splash pad project, through the grant program, North Star Mutual Insurance and the Southwest Initiative Fund.

North Star Mutual has partnered with the Cottonwood Area Community Foundation since 2020.

“North Star Mutual is proud to support the Cottonwood Area Community Foundation through the Southwest Initiative Fund,” said Pete Hellie, president and CEO of North Star Mutual. “Our support this year has been generously matched by the Federal Home Loan Bank through our membership with their organization. The FHLB Member Impact Fund shows their commitment to the communities they serve, and we are thankful for their support of our community through this program.”

In Marshall, FHLB Des Moines and Minnwest Bank partnered to provide a total of $66,000 for three local nonprofits. This summer, the Marshall Area YMCA received $12,000, the UCAP food shelf received $20,000, and United Way of Southwest Minnesota received $34,000.

“Our Minnwest Bank Marshall team is exceptionally involved in community volunteerism, and we are proud to have nominated so many deserving organizations for this grant program,” said Marshall market president Al Blankers. “Together, with our volunteerism, these grants will provide financial stability, youth enrichment, and food shelf support for families across Marshall.”

Other Marshall organizations that received donations through the Member Impact Fund included the Foundation for Innovation in Education and Hope Harbor.