At Bank Midwest, supporting the communities where we live and work isn’t just what we do every day during bank hours—it is at the core of who we are. In 2025, that commitment showed up in a big way through financial gifts, volunteer hours, and hands-on involvement across the communities we call home.
The numbers are impressive. The stories behind them matter even more.
Key Insights
Bank Midwest supported 300+ local organizations in 2025,
investing in schools, youth programs, arts, emergency services, and community spaces across the region.
Through the Bank Midwest Community Funds,
targeted investments helped create inclusive playgrounds, youth facilities, and gathering places that bring communities together.
Bank Midwest employees contributed 4,378 volunteer hours,
showing up where help was needed most.
128 employees actively volunteered their time,
demonstrating a shared commitment to the communities where they live and work.
Local branches played a key role by supporting
causes that matter most in their towns, ensuring that giving stayed personal and community-led.
Community involvement at Bank Midwest goes beyond financial support
it includes leadership, service, and long-term partnerships.
These efforts reflect Bank Midwest’s belief that strong communities are built by people who care and that local banking should help neighbors thrive.
A Year of Giving That Built Something Bigger
We are honored to support over 300 organizations across the areas we serve! Through the Bank Midwest Community Fund, we invested directly in projects that create access, joy, and opportunity for families and kids.
Some of the most meaningful investments from our Community Fund in 2025 included:
$20,000 to Spirit Lake Community Schools
to help create an inclusive playground where children of all abilities can play side by side. This project ensures that no child is left out and that families of all needs feel welcome and supported.
$20,000 to the New Ulm Basketball Association
for a new practice facility that will double as a community engagement and youth development hub. This space will serve young athletes while also providing a place for mentoring, teamwork, and personal growth.
$20,000 to Westbrook Area Volunteers
to support updates and renovations to the city pool—a central gathering place that promotes recreation, safety, and summer memories for local families.
$10,000 to Sheldon Jackson Outreach Center,
assisting with rehabilitation of the community center where youth programs, family activities, and community groups gather year-round.
$10,000 to Sioux Empire Baseball,
helping expand opportunities for youth athletics and teamwork.
$10,000 to the Windom Area Youth Hockey Association
to support a new sound system and main scoreboard, enhancing both the player and spectator experience.
$5,000 to the Ringsted Community Action Club
for new community Christmas decorations, helping create a festive atmosphere that brings neighbors together during the holiday season.
$5,000 to the Wall Lake American Legion
for memorial stones, honoring local veterans and preserving their legacy for future generations.
In addition to Community Fund grants, individual Bank Midwest locations made donations to support a wide range of local initiatives, including but not limited to:
- Youth Athletics
- Youth Hockey
- Junior Achievement
- State Street Theatre Company
- Post Prom
- Habitat for Humanity
- Kiwanis
- Lions Club
- 4-H
- Fire Departments
- Community Chambers
- Fairs
- Community Foundations
- Food Shelves
Each gift represents more than dollars. It represents playgrounds that welcome all abilities, arts spaces that bring people together, and programs that invest in leadership, education, and empowerment in our local communities.
Investing Hours into the Places We Call Home
Financial support is only one piece of community impact. In many cases, the most valuable gift is time—and in 2025, Bank Midwest employees gave generously.
Across the region, 128 employees volunteered a total of 4,378 hours, showing up consistently to support organizations, events, and services that keep communities running.
Those hours were spent packing food, serving meals, responding to emergencies, mentoring youth, planning events, and stepping into leadership roles. It was hands-on, heart-forward work, and it was an honor to give back and make a difference.
Volunteer Highlights From Across Our Communities
Here are just a few examples of how Bank Midwest employees made a difference through service:
Armstrong Betterment Club
5 employees volunteered 211 hours helping plan and host community events, including RAGBRAI. One of our own serves as the club’s president.
Heaven’s Table Food Shelf
30 employees volunteered 131 hours supporting food packaging and backpack programs for local families.
Spirit Lake Noon Kiwanis
2 employees volunteered 128 hours serving youth-focused community initiatives.
Westbrook Ambulance Service
1 employee volunteered 120 hours supporting critical local emergency services.
Windom Lions Club
2 employees volunteered 116 hours supporting service projects in the Windom area.
Camp Foster and Bedell YMCA
2 employees volunteered 68 hours supporting youth programs and outdoor education.
Every hour reflects something simple and powerful: our people care deeply about the places where they live and work.
Why Community Involvement Matters to Bank Midwest
At Bank Midwest, managing your money is just the starting place. Banking should strengthen the communities it serves. That belief has guided us for more than 140 years and continues to shape how we operate today.
Community involvement isn’t a side initiative or an annual checkbox. It’s embedded in our culture. When our communities thrive, everyone benefits—families, businesses, schools, and future generations.
Investing in children and youth programs
Supporting education and leadership development
Expanding access to inclusive spaces
Encouraging arts, recreation, and community pride
Strengthening health, safety, and emergency services
Supporting the organizations that help unite towns together
Whether it’s through a donation, volunteer shift, or leading an organization, our team shows up because these communities are the places we call home.
Looking Ahead: Continuing the Work Together
The numbers shared here tell the story of one year, but the relationships behind them span decades. They reflect trust built over time and our commitment to building partnerships that continue to make an impact.
We are proud of what our employees accomplished in 2025, and we are deeply grateful to the organizations and community members who work alongside us every day. As we look ahead, Bank Midwest remains committed to investing in people, places, and opportunities.
Strong communities are built by people who care, and we’re honored to be a part of that work.
Equal Housing Lender