Flathead Valley Businesses Can Help Nonprofits Fight Downturns With a One-Two Punch: Cash and Crews

Earlier this year, “Giving USA: The Annual Report on Philanthropy” confirmed what many nonprofits suspected to be true: charitable giving continued its decline in 2023. Though total giving grew in today’s dollars, the growth did not outpace inflation. When accounting for inflation, giving to nonprofits declined by 2.1% in 2023.  

While nonprofits have been grappling with covering gaps in their funding, they have also been wrestling with the persistent issue of attracting volunteer support. Since the early 2010s, Americans have been volunteering at a decreasing rate, and many charitable organizations rely on unpaid support to carry out their missions, which can be anything from alleviating food insecurity and providing job training to creating safe spaces for those suffering trauma. 

In Flathead Valley and elsewhere, businesses are stepping in where they can to support nonprofits that serve urgent needs. “As a bank with physical branch locations in the region, we’re fortunate to have teams of caring people who see what’s happening in the community and know where both time and money can make the greatest impact,” says Brenden Craig, Flathead Valley market president at First Interstate Bank. “That local connection informs how we conduct our annual Volunteer Day and other philanthropic programs.” 

With Volunteer Day, First Interstate closes all locations at noon on the second Wednesday in September, giving each employee paid time to volunteer at a nonprofit of their choice. Further, knowing that some of these projects require materials, the First Interstate BancSystem Foundation also issues $500 mini grants to each nonprofit partner to cover costs associated with the projects. 

“Volunteer Day mobilized more than 80% of our Flathead Valley workforce, with 81 of 101 employees participating this year. Seeing everyone in action in one day demonstrates how powerful we are as an organization when it comes to serving our neighbors,” continued Craig. “While we are proud of our efforts on Volunteer Day, we are even prouder that we’re a part of an organization that makes a commitment to its communities year-round.” 

From the top down, First Interstate employees believe that strong communities are integral to the strength of the organization. Beyond rolling up their sleeves to help get important work done, the company’s employees have nominated nonprofits in their local communities to receive $25,000 grants. The Bank’s “Believe in Local” campaign distributed $1 million in grants in 2024 and 2025, investing in critical community partners. 

Further, the First Interstate BancSystem Foundation is completely funded by the Bank, and as its charitable affiliate, the Foundation provides grant funds, financial education and matching for employee donations and volunteer hours, all year long.  

With a core value of “people first, always,” First Interstate naturally focuses on making its communities better places to live and work. It’s a philosophy that has been at the heart of the Bank since its inception and never goes out of style. In times when individuals and families may not have the luxury to extend time and treasure to nonprofits, First Interstate and other philanthropic-minded businesses can provide some much-needed stability. 

To learn more about the impact made during First Interstate's seventh annual Volunteer Day, visit www.firstinterstatebank.com/company/commitment/volunteer-day.php.