The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) and First Security Bank have announced a $30,000 grant to the Conway Ministry Center to support the nonprofit’s efforts in alleviating homelessness and supporting vulnerable populations in central Arkansas.
Purpose & Use of Grant Funds
The $30,000 comes from FHLB Dallas’s Partnership Grant Program (PGP) in collaboration with First Security Bank. (Business Wire) The funds will be allocated toward covering a portion of the salary of a shelter manager for The Refuge Family and Respite Shelter (“The Refuge”) — the Conway Ministry Center’s emergency housing program.
The Refuge is designed to serve families with children, people with disabilities, and individuals with medical needs by converting 22 motel units into studio apartments. Beneficiaries will receive:
- Emergency housing
- Wraparound case management
- Life skills classes
- Medical and behavioral health services
- Child tutoring
- Job placement support
Role of FHLB and First Security Bank
Under the PGP, FHLB Dallas matches contributions made by its member institutions at a 5:1 ratio, with members able to contribute between $500 and $5,000. The matching structure can provide up to $25,000 in additional support per member. (Business Wire) In 2024, FHLB Dallas and its member banks awarded over $1.2 million in PGP funds to community nonprofits, spanning 47 organizations via 41 member institutions.
Johnny Adams, President and CEO of First Security Bank, expressed optimism:
Greg Hettrick, Senior Vice President & Director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas, emphasized the significance of the Partnership Grant Program to strengthen bonds between community-based nonprofits and member banks.
Local Impact & Broader Significance
For Conway and the surrounding communities, the grant is a tangible boost to efforts tackling homelessness and poverty. The Refuge aims not only to provide shelter but also comprehensive supportive services, which are often essential for helping individuals and families stabilize and rebuild.
Moreover, the project reflects a growing trend in banking and financial institutions placing greater emphasis on community development and social impact initiatives. By leveraging cooperative funding models, banks like FHLB Dallas and First Security can amplify contributions to local nonprofits that may otherwise struggle to fund critical operational roles such as shelter management.
Event & Acknowledgements
The grant presentation event was scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on January 13, 2025, at The Refuge location in Conway. (Business Wire) The event was slated to be attended by key stakeholders, including:
- Bruce Hatton (FHLB Dallas)
- Michael C. Hutsell (FHLB Dallas Board)
- Stefanie Vann (First Security Bank)
- Johnny Adams (First Security Bank)
- Spring Hunter (Conway Ministry Center / The Refuge)
These individuals represent both the philanthropic and operational sides of the grant, uniting toward a shared goal of reducing homelessness in the region.
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