Surprise grant of $25,000!

First Interstate Bank surprised CES with a "Believe in Local" grant on Monday

First Interstate Bancsystem Foundation presented the gift to CES staff and clients

From a pool of over 600 nonprofits, First Interstate BancSystem Foundation chose CES for a "Believe in local" grant on the suggestion of local Bank employee Lori Mohler

"We are incredibly thankful for this generous donation because it will help us continue providing safe homes, job opportunities and daily enrichment for the individuals we serve" Shawn Griffin, CEO of Community Entry Services

First Interstate’s Lori Mohler, Administrative Assistant in Riverton, nominated Community Entry Services for the donation. “Our Believe in Local grant campaign embodies the Bank’s core values,” Mohler said, “celebrating nonprofit organizations like Community Entry Services that make a significant, positive impact in our community. I am excited for them to receive this special grant, helping make Riverton a better place to live, work, and raise a family.”

First Interstate launched the Believe in Local campaign in 2022 to celebrate the Bank’s longstanding commitment to the communities it serves. Each year, 40 nonprofit organizations across the Bank’s 14-state footprint receive a $25,000 gift in support of their mission.

That results in a total of $1 million given to nonprofits in the Bank’s communities each year for the Believe in Local campaign. Community Entry Services was selected from a pool of over 615 nominations thanks to its alignment with the Bank’s philanthropic goals. Through the Believe in Local campaign and other community involvement, First Interstate donates and grants approximately 2% of pre-tax earnings to their local communities. These funds aid in the improvement of workforce development, boost early childhood education, and help mitigate poverty.

First Interstate gathered staff and some clients to celebrate the occasion and surprise Shawn Griffin who assumed he was called to another meeting in the conference room at CES headquarters in Riverton.

Lori Mohler said she was very proud of what CES represents to Riverton and all the work we do in the commmunity on behalf of our clients so cheered us on as the "Believe in Local" grant process worked through the pipeline.

This was a true 'bolt from the blue' surprise gift and will make an immediate positive impact on our work for the clients.

First Interstate has been a long time supporer of CES' localized fundraising efforts including the Festival of the trees in Riverton and Lander's Dancing with the Stars fundraiser that helps us make up the difference between what healthcare costs are reimbursed from Medicare and what the services actually cost. Without such generous contributions, we would not be able to serve our 150 clients to the gold standard of care we provide.

For more information on First Interstate Bank’s philanthropic efforts, please visit

firstinterstate.com/believeinlocal.