The CorTrust Bank ALM (Artesian, Letcher, Mt. Vernon) Community Foundation Board of Directors met recently to award its semi-annual grants.  The following distribution was approved: Artesian Community Improvement Association (CIA) for $5,000 to be used towards improving and updating the kitchen in the Artesian Community Building. 

The CorTrust Bank ALM Community Foundation is an organization formed to attract and distribute gifts of capital for community betterment. It was initially funded by CorTrust Bank with a match from the South Dakota Community Foundation for the benefit of the Artesian, Letcher and Mt. Vernon communities. The first grants were awarded in August 2000. Grant applications are considered based on several factors, including the potential benefit of the proposed project to the particular population to be served and to the community as a whole.  The CorTrust Bank ALM Community Foundation has awarded over $130,000 since its inception.  

The CorTrust Bank ALM Community Foundation encourages and welcomes donations, memorial gifts, bequests and gifts of capital. The income generated from investment of these funds is then made available for grants. Donors may restrict their gifts to certain types of grants or to certain communities, or they may designate them as unrestricted. 

The CorTrust Bank ALM Community Foundation is managed by a Board of Directors that consists of people from the Artesian, Letcher and Mt. Vernon communities, as well as CorTrust Bank. The current members of the Board of Directors are Jeff Ebersdorfer from Artesian, Gibi Page from Fedora, Lori Kluth and Cheryl Hohbach from Mt. Vernon, Sherri Stekl and Janet Maeschen from Letcher, and Jeff Tiede, Barb Metzinger and Don Threadgold from CorTrust Bank. The Board meets twice a year to review grant applications. The next grant application deadline is Aug. 15. Applications and more information can be obtained from the CorTrust Banks in Artesian, Letcher and Mt. Vernon, or at www.sdcommunityfoundation.org/almfoundation

Rogation Sunday was celebrated at Artesian First Lutheran on Sunday, May 12. A special part of the worship service was held outdoors where Pastor Josh blessed water, soil, seeds, tools, tractors, and creation caregivers.  Bob Schmit and Wormstadt Farms brought tractors to the church for this unique gathering.

…See a picture in this week’s issue of the Sanborn Weekly Journal!

YANKTON – In a continuing effort to retain our best and brightest students, First National Bank and the South Dakota Bankers Foundation have announced the 19th year of the high school scholarship program. Participating South Dakota banks have agreed to match Foundation funds to provide scholarships to graduating high school seniors in their local communities.  

The recipients will all attend post-secondary South Dakota institutions of higher learning, and one of this year’s recipients of the $1,000 scholarship sponsored by First National Bank is Madison Moody from Sanborn Central, announced Jeff Jones, Market President, First National Bank. Moody plans to attend Black Hills State University majoring in Math Education.

Established in 1982, the South Dakota Bankers Foundation was endowed by the South Dakota Bankers Association to provide scholarships, and special educational programs and awards to the secondary and post-secondary levels. In 2000, the industry took action to refocus its mission to provide an opportunity for even more visible consumer programming, including the expansion of the high school scholarship program.