First Bank & Trust – Community FundCommunity Grants Supporting Youth, Education, Liberal Arts, Housing, and Quality of Life
The First Bank & Trust Community Fund supports programs that benefit youth, enhance the liberal arts, advance education, and improve quality of life in the communities the bank serves. The fund is designed as a local philanthropy initiative for organizations whose work responds directly to community needs.
Organization: First Bank & Trust
Support Type: Charitable grants
Geographic Focus: First Bank & Trust service area in South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa
About the Funder
First Bank & Trust created the Community Fund as a way of giving back to the communities that have contributed to the success of its business and families. The bank supports nonprofit and community initiatives that strengthen local quality of life and also encourages employee volunteerism through a separate volunteer request process. The Community Fund is intended for organizations and communities directly impacted within the bank’s service area.
What This Program Supports
The Community Fund considers requests that align with its mission to:
Encourage youth development by elevating educational, cultural, and athletic programs
Promote programs that enhance the liberal arts experience
Support initiatives that improve the quality of higher education
Benefit housing needs, especially those relating to children and families and encouraging self-sufficiency
Assist disadvantaged youth
Respond effectively to the needs of local communities
Eligibility & Preferences
This opportunity appears best suited for organizations serving communities within First Bank & Trust’s footprint. The bank states that it retains donation funding for organizations and communities directly impacted in its service area, which includes parts of South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa.
Ineligible Requests
The application form specifically flags the following categories, indicating they are not a fit for this funding request:
Religious groups for religious purposes
Political or lobbying activities
Trips or tours
Conferences
Individuals
Scholarship programs
Event sponsorships
Athletic sponsorships
Funding Amounts
First Bank & Trust does not publish a standard grant size. Applicants are asked to specify the amount of funding requested in the application.
Timeline & Review
📅 Deadline: Rolling / no published deadline
📅 Review Period: Allow up to 8 weeks for a response
📅 Decision Process: Applications are reviewed by a committee at its regularly scheduled meetings
Application / Request Process
Organizations may apply in one of three ways:
Complete the online application form
Download the application and email it to Community.Fund@bankeasy.com
Print and drop it off at any First Bank & Trust location
Applicants should be prepared to provide a project description, funding amount requested, fiscal or project period, other pending funding requests, and other funding commitments. A description document and budget overview may also be uploaded.
Apply / Learn More:
➡️ https://www.bankeasy.com/about-us/our-communities/community-fund
Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit
This opportunity is a strong fit for organizations that:
Serve communities in South Dakota, Minnesota, or Iowa within the bank’s footprint
Focus on youth development, arts, education, housing, or family self-sufficiency
Need flexible local philanthropic support rather than a highly specialized grant
Can show direct community impact in the bank’s service area
New to corporate grant fundraising?
Read our Corporate Grants for Nonprofits: Ultimate Guide to learn how corporate funding works.
Corporate Grants Guide Notes
Review Type: Rolling committee review
Typical Lead Time: Allow up to 8 weeks for a response
Best Suited For: Local nonprofits and community organizations in First Bank & Trust service areas focused on youth, arts, education, and family wellbeing
