(Riverton, WY) – For the past few years, First Interstate Bank has surprised local organizations with various donations, and the philanthropy continued Monday morning when bank representatives surprised Community Entry Services CEO Shawn Griffin with a $25,000 donation to the CES organization.
First Interstate Bank and the First Interstate BancSystem Foundation made the donation as part of their fourth-annual Believe in Local grant campaign.
You can watch the surprise presentation below.
Griffin had been told that he was needed for a “meeting” at 11 AM this morning, but entered the CES conference room to find First Interstate reps and CES clients waiting with a giant check, balloons, and party popper streamers.
“So, no meeting?” Griffin joked as he walked into the surprise.
“So every year, we have nominations throughout our footprint, and then 40 nonprofits are selected for a $25,000 award,” First Inerstate Admin Assistant III Lori Mohler explained to Griffin. “And this year, CES was selected for the Riverton, Lander, and Jackson Market.”
“On behalf of CES, not only for today, but, you know, we certainly appreciate the support from First Interstate Bank throughout the years,” Griffin shared with County 10. “This was obviously a big surprise, and we’re very appreciative of it. We’ll use this money to continue supporting people with disabilities and helping them get what they need in life.”
More About First Interstate’s Believe in Local Grant Campaign:
First Interstate launched the Believe in Local grant campaign in 2022 to celebrate the Bank’s longstanding commitment to the communities it serves. Each year, 40 nonprofit organizations across the Bank’s 14-state footprint receive a $25,000 gift in support of their mission.
That results in a total of $1 million given to nonprofits in the Bank’s communities each year for the Believe in Local campaign.
Community Entry Services was selected from a pool of over 615 nominations thanks to its alignment with the Bank’s philanthropic goals. First Interstate’s Lori Mohler, administrative assistant in Riverton, nominated Community Entry Services for the donation.
Through the Believe in Local campaign and other community involvement, First Interstate donates and grants approximately 2% of pre-tax earnings to their local communities. These funds aid in the improvement of workforce development, boost early childhood education,
and help mitigate poverty.
For more information on First Interstate Bank’s philanthropic efforts, click here.
More About Community Entry Services:
For individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities or acquired brain injuries, Community Entry Services is more than a support organization—it’s a pathway to independence, dignity, and belonging. Community Entry Services provides lifelong, personalized care that empowers adults to live meaningful lives within their communities.
From safe, accessible housing to enriching day programs and vocational opportunities, they help individuals not only meet their daily needs but also discover their potential and thrive. To learn more, click here.
About First Interstate Bank:
First Interstate is a community bank headquartered in Billings, Montana, delivering best-in- class banking and Wealth Management services across Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming. With more than 300 offices, First Interstate enhances the communities it serves through an innovative corporate philanthropy program, which includes donating a portion of Company profits, matching employees’ personal financial contributions, and donating $10 per hour for volunteer efforts made at qualifying organizations. To learn more, click here.