FNBO Awards More than $3 Million to Organizations Providing COVID-19 Relief

Press Release

Release Date: May 6, 2020

First National Bank of Omaha Awards More than $3 Million to Organizations Providing COVID-19 Relief

OMAHA, Neb. May 6, 2020—First National Bank of Omaha (FNBO) will award more than $3 million in community development grants and impact investments to 27 organizations in Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and Texas, providing relief to individuals and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, announced Alec Gorynski, Vice President, Community Development and Corporate Philanthropy.  FNBO’s community investment strategy focuses on affordable housing, workforce and small business development; the bank’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic is in line with that strategy by focusing on housing, workforce and small business stability to get through this crisis.

“During this pandemic, our community focus remains strong and FNBO is committed to doing its part to mitigate the financial impact of this virus on our communities,” Gorynski said. “Therefore, we are providing financial support to nonprofit organizations that are addressing both the short-term needs and long-term impact to individuals and small businesses.”

The first round of grants supports organizations providing housing stability programs. With businesses closing or unable to operate at full scale, workers are seeing hours cut and being furloughed or laid off. This may leave individuals and families unable to pay mortgage or rent and struggling to stay in their homes. These grants are being awarded to nonprofit organizations that are helping families remain stable and healthy in their homes by providing financial assistance for rent, mortgage, utilities and other needs, such as food and living expenses. Recipients include:

Colorado
Community Foundation of Boulder County, Boulder – $10,000
United Way of Larimer County, Fort Collins – $15,000
United Way of Weld County, Greeley – $10,000

Illinois
Fox Valley United Way, Aurora – $5,000
Kiswaukee United Way, DeKalb – $10,000
United Way of Greater McHenry County, McHenry – $5,000

Kansas
Harvesters Community Food Network, Kansas City - $10,000

Nebraska
United Way of Western Nebraska, Alliance – $10,000
Fremont Area United Way, Fremont – $10,000
Heartland United Way, Grand Island – $10,000
Hope Harbor, Grand Island – $5,000
Kearney Area Community Foundation, Kearney – $10,000
Salvation Army, Norfolk – $5,000
Heart Ministry Center, Omaha – $10,000
Intercultural Senior Center, Omaha – $10,000
Metro Area Continuum of Care, Omaha – $15,000
No More Empty Pots, Omaha – $10,000
Omaha Community Foundation, Omaha – $35,000
The Salvation Army, Omaha – $10,000
Together Inc., Omaha – $10,000
United Way of the Midlands, Omaha - $35,000
Youth Emergency Services – $10,000

South Dakota
United Way of Greater Yankton, Yankton – $10,000

Texas
Foster Friends, Plano – $2,500

In addition, Gorynski said FNBO has contributed $2.75 million in impact investments into community loan funds across the bank’s footprint that are providing small businesses with COVID-19 relief loans. These community loan funds are held and managed by Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) that provide underserved businesses access to capital. CDFIs receiving FNBO impact investments include:

• Colorado Enterprise Fund, Denver, Colo. – $1.5 million to provide funding for small business relief loans in Northern Colorado.
• DreamSpring, Denver, Colo. – $1 million to provide funding for small business relief loans in Northern Colorado.
• AltCap, Kansas City, Missouri – $250,000 for a COVID-19 small business relief loan fund for distressed small businesses in the Kansas City area.

Gorynski also announced another round of grants, to be awarded later this spring, will focus on workforce stability. With the surge in unemployment and the changing employment market, many individuals may not have the skills and capabilities to easily re-enter the workforce when the crisis is over. These grants will be awarded to organizations providing individuals with essential workforce development services to enhance their chances for employment. For more information, visit www.fnbo.com/community/.