CoBank announces $50,000 contribution to the Cooperative Family Fund
DENVER (August 30, 2023) — CoBank, a cooperative bank serving the electric industry, agribusinesses, rural infrastructure providers and Farm Credit associations throughout the United States, has contributed $50,000 to the Cooperative Family Fund. The fund assists children of active electric cooperative employees who have died – serving as a network of support for co-op families during an extremely difficult time.
CoBank’s president and CEO, Tom Halverson, presented the check to Tony Anderson, founder of the Cooperative Family Fund and president of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association board of directors at the bank’s 2023 Energy & Water Executive Forum. The event was held at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs on August 29-31, bringing together executives of America’s rural energy and water providers.
The Cooperative Family Fund was established in 2022, but has already experienced great success, receiving donations from hundreds of cooperatives, statewide and national organizations.
“Our goal is to gift $10,000 into every child’s investment plan,” Anderson said. “So far, we have been able to do this for 29 kids since Thanksgiving, which is truly a great kick-off. CoBank’s generous contribution definitely helps us get prepared to continue to achieve our goal for future kids. We are so grateful and appreciative of all the support and donations the fund has received in the past eight months. It really is a grassroots and co-op family effort that continues to grow.”
“CoBank is honored to contribute to the Cooperative Family Fund. As the organization’s mission states, co-ops are truly an extended family, and it is imperative to support these families during their greatest time of need,” Halverson said. “As a mission-based cooperative lender, we believe in giving back to the communities where our customer-owners and fellow co-op employees live and work. We are extremely proud to be a part of this cause.”
About CoBank
CoBank is a cooperative bank serving vital industries across rural America. The bank provides loans, leases, export financing and other financial services to agribusinesses and rural power, water and communications providers in all 50 states. The bank also provides wholesale loans and other financial services to affiliated Farm Credit associations serving more than 76,000 farmers, ranchers and other rural borrowers in 23 states around the country. CoBank is a member of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of banks and retail lending associations chartered to support the borrowing needs of U.S. agriculture, rural infrastructure and rural communities. Headquartered outside Denver, Colorado, CoBank serves customers from regional banking centers across the U.S. and also maintains an international representative office in Singapore.
About the Cooperative Family Fund
When you work for a co-op, you’re a part of an extended family. The purpose of the Cooperative Family Fund is to provide support for children of electric cooperative employees when they experience the loss of a parent while actively employed at a cooperative. This support actively demonstrates the value our cooperative network places on cooperative families at the time of their greatest need.