Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
- D.L. Evans Bank, in Idaho, donated $25,000 to the United Way of Northern Utah.
- The donation supports programs increasing awareness of United Way's resources.
- Funds were raised via a matching grant with Federal Home Loan Bank.
LOGAN — In the current financial climate, some nonprofits have to work harder for donations, as many dollars are going to nonprofits with a connection or existing relationship.
"It's really important, especially coming out of the pandemic, for people to engage in the community," said Phillip Reese, senior director of collective impact at the United Way of Northern Utah.
His colleague Mandi Schill, director of resource development for the United Way of Northern Utah, agrees, especially in the Beehive State.
'There are a lot of great people with good hearts who want to make a difference," she said.
This includes the folks at D.L. Evans Bank, not in Utah but in southern Idaho, who have made it part of their mission to give back to the community, regardless of state lines.
They have recently donated $25,000 to the United Way of Northern Utah and given over $60,000 to Wasatch Homeless Health Care, Inc., in Salt Lake City. They have a history of collaborating with United Way and other nonprofits in their area and beyond, even when it means taking the time to secure the necessary funds themselves.
For example, the dollars given to the United Way of Northern Utah and Wasatch Homeless Health Care came through a matching grant partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines. Utah falls under the Des Moines region for the bank.
This means bank employees themselves raised the dollars needed to match what was given by the Federal Home Loan Bank. The federal agency matcheed $1.50 for every dollar D.L. Evans raised.
Staff at the United Way of Northern Utah did not apply for the grant, but were told by D.L. Evans staff that they were completing the grant application on their behalf.
Those dollars could not have come at a better time.
Last fall, the United Way integrated the former United Way of Cache Valley into its agency, but the need for awareness in Northern Utah was significant. People in the region were unaware of all the United Way of Northern Utah could do for them.
The D.L. Evans' donation will assist with two programs that will help spread the word about the new United Way: Welcome Baby, a home-based program with mom and baby, and Learn with Playgroup, a program for children up to 5 years old and their guardians that is out in the community.
These programs are for more than local toddlers. Adults will also learn about resources available to them, such as the 211 phone line, which can provide information about food and housing assistance.
Given the increase in food and housing costs in northern Utah, organizers believe this information will meet the needs of their neighbors who are struggling.
D.L. Evans staff have been aware of the needs of the community, including housing assistance. It is this awareness that pushed them to apply for the Federal Home Loan Bank grant to see how they can serve as neighbors, providing help to those who need it.
"In 2023, we applied for the same (Federal Home Loan Bank) program and received close to $600,000," said Trevor Matthews, senior compliance officer for D.L. Evans Bank in southern Idaho. "Our branch managers and employees really do most of the work to get the dollars raised ... that allows us to give a lot to Idaho, but also to Utah."
