Elk State Bank was awarded $500 through FHLBank Topeka’s recent #500forGood initiative. The initiative asked FHLBank member financial institutions to consider how they would use $500 to fill a need in their community. Elk State Bank submitted the request on behalf of a project for Concordia’s historic Brown Grand Opera House.
The entry, submitted in mid-August, stated, “The Brown Grand is almost 118 years old and is proposing to install a new cyclorama and new lighting and sound systems. The Brown Grand strives to improve community engagement in the cultural arts and to grow its reputation as a regional cultural hub. They need to raise their lighting and sound technologies to industry standard. They expect to see an increase in attendance and greater community engagement in the future. The Brown Grand will use the funding to reach its goal to purchase lighting and sound technology needed to ensure the Brown Grand is a destination for audience members and performing arts groups of all kinds.”
Elk State Bank matched the $500 grant for a total of $1,000.
"We are honored to receive this grant and the match from Elk State Bank to help us install state-of-the art technical equipment. The Brown Grand is growing by leaps and bounds. When this project is complete, we know we will be an even greater asset for the entire community in North Central Kansas," said Melissa Swenson, executive director of the Brown Grand Opera House.
Elk State Bank is one of 50 FHLBank member projects recently awarded funds to help with a community initiative. When the program began in 2018, eight recipients were selected. Because of the passion of FHLBank members and their employees across Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma, contributions have grown to help even more community projects.
About FHLBank Topeka:
FHLBank Topeka is one of 11 Federal Home Loan Banks that accesses the capital markets to provide liquidity and funding for its members. With $80 billion in assets and more than $4 billion in capital, FHLBank Topeka is a strong, reliable source of liquidity for its 655-member financial institutions in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma.
