Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, Origin Bank and Century Next Bank Award $60K Grant to Zion Traveler Community Development Corporation

Funds Will Help Families Dealing with Chronic Poverty

RUSTON, La.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas), Origin Bank and Century Next Bank awarded $60,000 in Partnership Grant Program (PGP) funding to Zion Traveler Community Development Corporation (Zion CDC) to assist the nonprofit with expenses including rental, utility and food assistance for families dealing with chronic poverty.

The funds, celebrated during a big check presentation last week, will also offset operational and administration expenses, including educational programs and job training.

“This grant will help us in so many ways,” said the Rev. Maurice White, pastor of Zion Traveler Baptist Church. “Being able to provide community members much-needed assistance with rent, utilities and food is an absolute Godsend. These funds helped us reach underserved parts of the parish.”

Zion CDC’s mission is to increase social and economic justice, demonstrate compassion and alleviate poverty in the greater Lincoln Parish (Louisiana) Community as tangible expressions of faith in God.

“The impact of funds on nonprofits is immeasurable,” said Mark Taylor, executive vice president and CFO at Century Next Bank. “So many nonprofits are struggling, and being able to provide those funds is incredibly meaningful.”

Through the PGP, FHLB Dallas member institutions contribute $500 to $5,000 to a nonprofit, which FHLB Dallas matches at a 5:1 ratio to provide up to $25,000 to the organization per member. The awards help promote and strengthen relationships between community-based nonprofits and FHLB Dallas members.

“We are so pleased to be a part of FHLB Dallas’ Partnership Grant Program,” said Origin Bank Vice President Shelia Grayson, who serves as CRA and Community Development officer at Origin Bank. “Seeing the results of grants to community-focused organizations is truly rewarding. We love seeing communities thrive.”

The PGP funds are part of $1.2 million in PGP grants FHLB Dallas and participating members awarded in 2024.

“Both Century Next and Origin Bank continue to be strong partners in community outreach,” said Greg Hettrick, senior vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas.

Learn more about the PGP.

About Century Next Bank

Century Next Bank is a federally chartered stock savings bank headquartered in Ruston, Louisiana, that has proudly served surrounding communities since 1905. Since its founding, it has expanded its community footprint from Lincoln Parish into Ouachita Parish, Louisiana and further into Ashley County, Arkansas.

About Origin Bank

Deeply rooted in Origin’s history is a culture committed to providing personalized, relationship banking to businesses, municipalities and personal clients to enrich the lives of the people in the communities it serves. Origin offers a broad range of financial services and currently operates more than 60 banking centers located throughout Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.

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 $129.4 billion as of September 30, 2024, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community development by providing competitively priced loans and other credit products to approximately 800 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. For more information, visit fhlb.com.