Keen Bank Partners with Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, Awards Bethlehem Inn $10,000 through M

June 4, 2025 (Waseca, MN) — Keen Bank, in partnership with Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines), is pleased to announce that Bethlehem Inn of Waseca will receive a $10,000 grant from the Member Impact Fund. This matching grant program will result in FHLB Des Moines awarding $20 million in funding to support affordable housing and community development in Minnesota. Funds will be presented at 2 pm on Thursday, June 5 at Bethlehem Inn, 400 2^nd Ave NW, Waseca MN.
 
“The greatest thing we can do as a community is to extend a helping hand to those in need,” said Bernie Gaytko, President & CEO of Keen Bank. “As a community bank, it was a privilege to leverage our donation with the Member Impact Fund for Bethlehem Inn to continue their impactful work to provide much needed services for those in need.”
 
Bethlehem Inn provides short-term safe housing that provides a faith-based living environment for women and children in transition. Their mission is to assist in accessing area social service providers to help residents regain self-sufficiency and dignity.
 
“Words cannot express how grateful we are for such an unexpected gift,” said Sue McIntosh, Program Administrator for Bethlehem Inn. “We are so blessed with the overwhelming support of our community and Keen Bank for this generous donation. Without the continued support of our community, we could not do the work we do. The funds received will be put towards general operating costs and we are so appreciative to Keen Bank for thinking of us.”
 
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 not-for-profits or government entities to support the needs of their communities.
 
“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,” says 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.”
 
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.
 
This member matching grant program is part of FHLB Des Moines’ ongoing mission to offer a variety of funding options through its members. 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.
 
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About Keen Bank
Keen Bank is a local, family-owned and managed bank that has been proudly serving southern Minnesota since 1874 with three locations in Waseca, Owatonna and Ellendale. Their commitment
to customers, responsiveness to find solutions and genuine willingness to help is the makeup of their organization. Keen Bank meets the needs of customers while maintaining the personal aspects of
service that are synonymous with community banking. For more information visit keen.bank. Member FDIC
 
About FHLB
FHLB Des Moines is one of 11 regional banks that make up the Federal Home Loan Bank System. Members include community and commercial banks, credit unions, insurance companies, thrifts and community development financial institutions. FHLB Des Moines is wholly owned by its members and receives no taxpayer funding. For additional information about FHLB Des Moines, please visit fhlbdm.com.