Woodbury, MN. June 10, 2025 – Ideal Credit Union through its Ideal Credit Union Foundation and employee-led giving program Casual for a Cause, has awarded a total of $42,000 in Community Impact Grants to two Minnesota nonprofits, Valley Outreach and Solid Ground, thanks to a generous match from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines) Member Impact Fund.

Each organization will receive $5,000 from Ideal Credit Union and an additional $15,000 in matching funds from FHLB Des Moines, supporting programs that directly address food insecurity and housing stability across the region.

"Ideal Credit Union has a long-standing commitment to making a meaningful difference in the communities we serve," said Brian Sherrick, President and CEO of Ideal Credit Union. "By partnering with FHLB Des Moines, we’re proud to deepen our history of investment in organizations like Valley Outreach and Solid Ground helping them make a real di􀀁erence on the front lines of community care.”
Investing in Local Impact

• Valley Outreach, based in Stillwater, provides over 2 million meals annually through its food shelf and mobile food pick-up programs, serving more than 7,400 families.
• Solid Ground supports more than 1,600 people each year with educational programming and transition services to help families break the cycle of homelessness and poverty.

The grant funds will help expand these organizations’ capacities, offering emergency food resources, housing navigation services, and life-stabilizing support to families in crisis.

“The Member Impact Fund continues to be a powerful resource in supporting our members as they expand access to affordable housing and drive community development,” said Kris Williams, President and CEO of FHLB Des Moines. “It’s inspiring to see the partnerships centered around improving local communities in such a variety of ways.”

The Member Impact Fund is a matching grant program designed to increase the impact of donations made by FHLB Des Moines member financial institutions. Members can receive up to a 3:1 match for eligible donations made to nonprofits and government entities working in affordable housing, community development, and other mission-driven areas.

Since its inception in 2023, the Member Impact Fund has provided nearly $70 million in grants to support capacity-building, job training, financial literacy, youth programming, and food security initiatives.

About Ideal Credit Union

Founded in 1926, Ideal Credit Union is a member-owned financial institution that is dedicated to providing financial services driven by a sincere and personal interest in the needs of our employees, members, and community. Ideal CU offers a complete range of services, including a full suite of digital banking products, savings, checking, loans, mortgage products, business services and more.

Offices are located in Eagan, Hugo, Inver Grove Heights, North St. Paul, Stillwater and Woodbury. Visit idealcu.com for details and directions. Ideal was voted “2023 and 2024 Best in State Credit Union” by Forbes, 2023 Minneapolis – St. Paul Business Journal “Best Place to Work,” “Best Credit Union” for five years in a row by readers of the Stillwater Gazette, and was the Readers’ Choice 2024 Best of the Press Hugo Citizen winner in the categories of “Best Workplace,” “Best Bank/Financial,” “Best Mortgage Company,” and “Best Customer Service for a Local Business.”

About Ideal Credit Union Community Foundation

The Ideal Credit Union Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization committed to improving the quality of life in the communities it serves. Since its founding in 2005, the Foundation has raised and distributed thousands of dollars in grants to local initiatives aimed at fostering community development, education, and health. To learn more or to contribute, visit idealcu.com/foundation.

About Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines is deeply committed to strengthening communities, serving 13 states and three U.S Pacific territories as a member-owned cooperative. We work together with over 1,200 member institutions to support affordable housing, economic development and community improvement.

FHLB Des Moines is one of 11 regional Banks that make up the Federal Home Loan Bank System. Members include community and commercial banks, credit unions, insurance companies, thrifts and community development financial institutions. FHLB Des Moines is wholly owned by its members and receives no taxpayer funding. For additional information about FHLB Des Moines, please visit fhlbdm.com.