First International Bank & Trust Celebrates Winners of 12th Annual Live First Community Giving Campaign
First International Bank & Trust (FIBT) has announced the recipients of its 12th Annual Live First Community Giving Campaign, distributing a total of $75,000 in funding to nonprofit organizations and community initiatives across the bank’s service footprint.
This year’s campaign attracted 286 applications from organizations working to address a wide variety of community needs. The strong response highlights the significant role that nonprofit organizations, volunteers and community leaders play in strengthening local communities across North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Arizona.
Through the annual Live First Community Giving Campaign, FIBT seeks to direct financial support toward organizations that are creating meaningful and lasting benefits in the communities where the bank operates. The initiative reflects FIBT’s broader commitment to supporting local organizations and helping address challenges affecting families, individuals and neighborhoods.
This year’s selected organizations represent a diverse range of causes, including child advocacy, family services, housing stability, support for veterans, behavioral health, outdoor recreation, animal welfare and community development.
Supporting Organizations Making a Local Difference
The Live First Community Giving Campaign is designed to recognize organizations that are actively working to improve the quality of life in their communities.
FIBT’s selection committee met multiple times to evaluate this year’s applications. The committee considered the community impact of each organization, the needs being addressed and the potential for the funding to create meaningful benefits.
Following the review process, FIBT selected a group of organizations representing a broad cross-section of its geographic footprint.
Peter Stenehjem, Chief Executive Officer of First International Bank & Trust, emphasized the importance of the organizations receiving this year’s funding.
“These organizations are meeting real needs in their communities, and we are honored to help support their work,” Stenehjem said. “The number of applications we received shows how many people are stepping forward to make a difference. We are proud to help spread these funds across our footprint and celebrate the organizations creating lasting local impact.”
The award recipients demonstrate how nonprofit organizations can address highly specific community needs while building stronger connections among residents, families, volunteers and local institutions.
Camp Champion Award
The largest award of this year’s campaign, the Camp Champion Award, provides $25,000 to one organization.
Jack’s Basket — Arden Hills, Minnesota
Jack’s Basket, based in Arden Hills, Minnesota, received the $25,000 Camp Champion Award.
The organization focuses on supporting babies with Down syndrome and their families. Jack’s Basket celebrates the arrival of babies with Down syndrome while providing new and expectant parents with resources, support and opportunities to build connections with other families.
The organization’s work is particularly focused on helping families during the period surrounding a child’s diagnosis and birth, when parents may need access to reliable information, emotional support and connections with healthcare and community resources.
The funding from FIBT will support Jack’s Basket as it works to provide more baskets to families. The organization also plans to use the funds to expand healthcare partnerships and diagnosis-support programs.
In addition, the funding will help Jack’s Basket increase volunteer engagement and strengthen the systems necessary for long-term organizational growth.
The award provides an opportunity for the organization to expand the reach of its services while continuing to create a supportive environment for families.
Trailblazer Awards
FIBT presented two Trailblazer Awards, with each recipient receiving $10,000.
The awards recognize organizations pursuing initiatives that can make a significant difference in their respective communities.
Sioux Falls Area CASA — Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Sioux Falls Area CASA received a $10,000 Trailblazer Award for its work advocating for abused and neglected children in Minnehaha and Lincoln counties.
The organization relies on trained volunteers and advocate supervisors to support children involved in the foster care system.
Court-appointed special advocates can play an important role in helping ensure that the needs and interests of children remain a priority during difficult and often complicated circumstances.
The FIBT funding will help Sioux Falls Area CASA recruit, train, support and retain additional volunteer advocates.
By expanding its volunteer network, the organization aims to ensure that more children in foster care have an individual dedicated to advocating for their safety and permanency.
The award will therefore contribute not only to volunteer recruitment but also to the organization’s ability to provide sustained support to children navigating the foster care system.
Save the Maah Daah Hey — Watford City, North Dakota
The second $10,000 Trailblazer Award went to Save the Maah Daah Hey, based in Watford City, North Dakota.
The organization is dedicated to preserving, maintaining and expanding the Maah Daah Hey Trail and related trail systems across McKenzie County and western North Dakota.
The trail system provides opportunities for outdoor recreation while also contributing to the region’s connection with its natural landscape.
FIBT’s funding will support trail maintenance, equipment and operational needs. A portion of the funding will also support a youth mountain biking program at Cherry Creek Trail.
The youth program is intended to introduce local children to outdoor recreation while teaching them about trail use and safety.
Through its work, Save the Maah Daah Hey contributes to outdoor access and community recreation while helping promote responsible use and stewardship of local trail systems.
Community Builder Awards
FIBT awarded five Community Builder Awards, with each organization receiving $5,000.
These organizations address a diverse set of needs, ranging from domestic violence and homelessness to food insecurity, veterans’ services and behavioral health.
Family Crisis Shelter — Williston, North Dakota
Family Crisis Shelter provides free and confidential services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault across Williams, McKenzie and Divide counties in northwest North Dakota.
The organization provides critical support to individuals and families affected by violence and helps survivors access resources designed to improve safety and stability.
The $5,000 award will help strengthen services related to safety, support, advocacy and prevention education.
Funding will also contribute to other critical programs serving individuals and families affected by domestic violence and sexual assault.
Dunn County RoundUp — Killdeer, North Dakota
Dunn County RoundUp works to create welcoming community spaces through its resource center and food pantry.
The organization’s programs are built around principles of dignity, inclusion, belonging and neighbor-to-neighbor connection.
The FIBT funding will help Dunn County RoundUp continue supporting community-focused programs throughout Dunn County.
By providing access to resources and creating opportunities for community connection, the organization seeks to strengthen relationships among residents and ensure that individuals and families can access assistance when they need it.
Life Startup Essentials — Phoenix, Arizona
Life Startup Essentials supports veterans transitioning out of homelessness and into stable housing across the Greater Phoenix and Payson communities.
For individuals moving into permanent housing after experiencing homelessness, obtaining a place to live is only one part of the transition. Basic household necessities can also be essential to establishing a stable and comfortable home.
The FIBT funding will help Life Startup Essentials assemble and distribute Welcome Home Kits containing basic household items.
These kits are intended to help veterans transform an empty apartment into a functional and livable home as they begin a new stage of their lives.
Golden Drive Homeless Kids — Fargo, North Dakota
Golden Drive Homeless Kids works to raise awareness of youth homelessness and directs donations toward local shelters, families and schools.
The organization is entirely volunteer-run, allowing donated funds to be directed toward practical needs affecting young people experiencing homelessness.
FIBT’s funding will support the purchase of hygiene products and nonperishable food for youth experiencing homelessness in the community.
These basic necessities can provide immediate support to young people and help address some of the everyday challenges associated with housing instability.
Heartview Foundation — Bismarck, North Dakota
The Heartview Foundation provides a range of services focused on substance use treatment, mental health support, case management and basic-needs assistance.
Its work extends beyond treatment by connecting clients with practical resources that can contribute to stability and recovery.
The $5,000 award will help the organization connect clients with resources such as safe housing, transportation, clothing, hygiene products, coverage assistance and treatment services.
By supporting both behavioral health needs and essential day-to-day requirements, Heartview Foundation helps individuals and families access a broader network of support.
Campfire Choice Award
The campaign also featured a Campfire Choice Award, allowing the public to participate in the selection process.
The award, valued at $5,000, was presented to Kitty City in Mandan, North Dakota.
Kitty City — Mandan, North Dakota
Kitty City operates a cage-free sanctuary for disabled and FIV-positive cats. The organization also helps place healthy cats into adoptive homes and provides assistance to pet owners facing temporary financial hardship.
One of its community initiatives is a pet food pantry, which helps owners who may otherwise struggle to afford food for their animals.
The Campfire Choice Award reflects the importance of public participation in the Live First Community Giving Campaign. Community members had the opportunity to support and champion organizations that are making a difference locally.
The funding will help Kitty City continue providing care and support to animals while assisting community members facing temporary challenges.
FIBT’s Commitment to Community Investment
The 12th Annual Live First Community Giving Campaign demonstrates FIBT’s continued commitment to investing in the communities where it operates.
The 286 applications received this year illustrate the breadth of nonprofit activity across the bank’s footprint. Organizations are addressing issues that range from basic needs and housing insecurity to child welfare, behavioral health, veteran support, recreation and animal welfare.
By distributing $75,000 among this year’s selected recipients, FIBT is helping provide additional resources to organizations that often depend on donations, volunteers and community partnerships to deliver their services.
The campaign also highlights the value of supporting organizations at the local level. Community-based nonprofits often have direct knowledge of the challenges affecting the people they serve and can develop programs specifically designed to respond to those needs.
FIBT’s funding provides these organizations with additional resources to expand their programs, purchase necessary supplies, recruit volunteers, maintain facilities and strengthen their long-term operations.
Recognizing Community Leaders and Volunteers
Beyond the financial awards, FIBT’s annual campaign recognizes the individuals and organizations working behind the scenes to improve their communities.
Nonprofit organizations frequently rely on volunteers and community advocates to deliver services. Whether supporting children in foster care, assisting survivors of violence, providing food to people experiencing homelessness, maintaining trails or caring for animals, volunteers play a critical role in sustaining local programs.
The number of applications received by FIBT also demonstrates the significant level of community engagement across North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Arizona.
The bank expressed its appreciation to every organization that submitted an application and to the community members who participated in the public voting process.
As FIBT continues its Live First Community Giving Campaign, the bank remains focused on supporting organizations that are addressing meaningful needs and creating positive local outcomes.
This year’s recipients represent a broad range of causes, but they share a common goal: improving the lives of people and strengthening the communities around them.
From helping families welcome babies with Down syndrome and advocating for children in foster care to supporting veterans transitioning into housing and providing resources for people experiencing homelessness, the organizations receiving funding demonstrate the many different ways community organizations contribute to local well-being.
The campaign also reinforces FIBT’s philosophy of investing in the communities it serves. By directing resources toward organizations with demonstrated local impact, the bank is helping nonprofits continue their work and expand their ability to serve residents.
The 12th Annual Live First Community Giving Campaign, with $75,000 awarded across its service footprint, represents another year of FIBT supporting community-driven initiatives.
As the selected organizations put these funds to work, the impact of the campaign is expected to extend beyond the individual grants, helping organizations strengthen programs, reach more people and build greater community connections.
FIBT’s recognition of this year’s recipients underscores the importance of local leadership, volunteerism and nonprofit organizations in creating stronger communities. The bank has extended its sincere appreciation to all 286 applicants and to the community members who voted for and supported local causes.
Through the Live First Community Giving Campaign, First International Bank & Trust continues to demonstrate its commitment to sharing resources, recognizing community leaders and supporting organizations that are making a meaningful difference close to home.
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