Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas and Homewise Award $30K to Nonprofit that Helps Entrepreneurs Start Food Service Businesses

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) and Homewise awarded $30,000 in Partnership Grant Program (PGP) funding to a nonprofit that helps people start food service businesses.

The funds were awarded to Street Food Institute at a ceremonial check presentation in Albuquerque, New Mexico, today. Street Food Institute was formed more than a decade ago and offers an in-person entrepreneurial management class, on-the-job training and access to a commercial kitchen for businesses that include food trucks, catering and other culinary ventures. It plans to add online courses in the fall.

The PGP grant will enable it to add programming, resources and additional community engagement activities.

“We are grateful for the PGP funding from FHLB Dallas and Homewise, which will help us reach more entrepreneurs in their journey to become successful food business owners,” said Tina Garcia-Shams, executive director of the Street Food Institute.

The FHLB Dallas PGP offers up to a 5:1 match of member contributions—up to $25,000 per FHLB Dallas member—to support community-based organizations involved in affordable housing or economic development activities that complement other FHLB Dallas community investment programs. The program is funded annually, and funds are distributed through participating FHLB Dallas members.

In this case, Homewise provided $5,000, which FHLB Dallas matched with $25,000. Homewise has partnered with Street Food Institute for several years on a variety of initiatives, including the opening of a larger commercial kitchen three years ago, said Homewise Deputy CEO Johanna Gilligan.

“Through our relationship, we’ve witnessed the energy, positivity and skills they’re bringing to the food industry,” Ms. Gilligan said. “FHLB Dallas’ PGP funds are instrumental in helping us reach and assist small nonprofits that often have limited ability to attract grant funding due to their size.”

Greg Hettrick, senior vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas, said PGP grants can have a significant impact for small nonprofits.

“PGP funding allows small nonprofits to target grants for administrative and capacity building efforts to grow and increase their services to the community,” Mr. Hettrick said. “This is an area often overlooked by other grant programs but a vital need for smaller organizations.”

About Homewise

A better way to buy a home means buying a safe, high-quality, affordable home with low-cost financing, equipped with knowledge and solid financial habits. Homewise brings all the steps to buy and own a home under one roof. Our services and products empower our customers with knowledge and financial skills, provide them with affordable homes and lending products, and support them as partners both before and after the home purchase.

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 $116.1 billion as of June 30, 2025, 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.