CROWLEY, La.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Crowley, Louisiana-based nonprofit organization Empowering the Community for Excellence (ETCFE) received a $16,000 Partnership Grant Program (PGP) award through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) and First National Bank of Louisiana. The funds will be used for operating expenses, maintenance of the building and teachers’ stipends.
This is the second PGP award ETCFE has received from FHLB Dallas and First National Bank of Louisiana. Representatives from the banks joined ETCFE for a check presentation at the organization’s offices to announce the funds.
ETCFE founder Audrey Spencer said the grant allows the organization to operate another year. “We are blessed to receive these funds,” said Mrs. Spencer. “We operate on grants and donations, so without those we’d have to close the facility.”
As an educator in Crowley, Mrs. Spencer dedicated her life to helping children. Upon retirement, she was distressed to see the rate at which Crowley children were failing to advance to the next grade level, so she founded ETCFE, a free community-based after school tutoring program providing academic assistance to students in grades 1-5. The program has now expanded to serve students in middle school and high school.
First National Bank of Louisiana is one of various local businesses that keeps ETCFE running. The bank has donated learning materials to the program, and donates money to the organization on a monthly basis.
“We can’t thank First National Bank enough,” said Mrs. Spencer. “They’ve been very supportive.”
First National Bank of Louisiana President and CEO Randy Prather said the bank is motivated by Mrs. Spencer’s passion for what she does.
“Mrs. Spencer is doing amazing work for the community and First National Bank is proud to support her mission through the PGP,” said Mr. Prather.
The structure of the PGP allows FHLB Dallas member institutions like First National Bank of Louisiana to make a contribution of $500 to $4,000 to a community-based organization (CBO), which FHLB Dallas will match at a 3:1 ratio. In 2016, FHLB Dallas awarded $225,000 in PGP funds to assist 23 CBOs. Combined with the $96,200 from member institutions, a total of $321,200 was awarded last year.
“Our mission is to support our members and their continued endeavors to positively impact their communities,” said Greg Hettrick, first vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas. “I applaud the local organizations that have partnered to support programs such as ETCFE, especially First National Bank.”
Mrs. Spencer said her goal is to make the community a better place.
“I’m just trying to make a difference,” said Mrs. Spencer, who still fills in as a teacher at ETCFE from time to time. “It all starts with our babies.”
About First National Bank of Louisiana
First National Bank of Louisiana is an independent community bank whose mission is to ensure that the stability of the communities surrounding Crowley, Louisiana is strengthened by its commitment to delivering courteous, attentive, and personal service. Established in the 1920s, the bank has grown to hold over $350 million in assets. First National Bank is committed to attracting and retaining exceptional personnel who are motivated to serve their customers’ ever-changing needs, as well as building strategic partnerships to enhance shareholder value. For more information, visit fnb-la.com.
About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is one of 11 district banks in the FHLBank system created by Congress in 1932. FHLB Dallas, with total assets of $58.2 billion as of December 31, 2016, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community development by providing competitively priced advances and other credit products to approximately 850 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. Visit fhlb.com for more information.
