Supporting National Literacy Month with Reach

September is National Literacy Month, and Levo Credit Union®, in partnership with Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines), is pleased to announce that Reach Literacy will receive an $8,750 grant from the Member Impact Fund. Levo was able to apply for a matching donation from FHLB Des Moines' Member Impact Fund to multiply Levo's gift to Reach. 

“Levo believes in giving back to our community because our community has made us what we are today,” says Jen McKeown, Vice President of Marketing at Levo Credit Union®. “We were so excited for this opportunity to grow our donation through FHLB. This grant will help so many people learn to read and we are so excited to be part of it.”

Reach will use the grant to fund materials that make its literacy classes possible, including learning materials and classroom space.

“This funding helps remove barriers that keep people in our community from accessing literacy support,” says Molly O’Connor, Reach Executive Director. “Because our programs are free and meet learners where they are, this support allows us to put materials directly into classrooms and into the hands of learners who need them most. We’re grateful to Levo Credit Union and FHLB Des Moines for investing in a more connected, literate community.”

Watch KELOLAND News Story Here: Levo Boosts Reach Literacy's mission with a donation.

Levo has been a member of FHLB Des Moines since 2017. Together, they have been dedicated to improving their community through affordable housing and community development initiatives.

FHLB Des Moines provides funding solutions to more than 1,200 members to support mortgage lending, economic development and affordable housing in the communities they serve. The Member Impact Fund provides FHLB Des Moines members matching grant donations to strengthen the ability of not-for-profits or government entities to support the needs of their communities. This matching grant program will result in FHLB Des Moines awarding over $12.9 million in funding to support affordable housing and community development in Alaska, South Dakota, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

“The Member Impact Fund is designed to help our members champion the organizations that make a real difference in their communities,” said Kris Williams, president and CEO of FHLB Des Moines. “By partnering with our members, we’re able to multiply resources and support their vital work as they continue to strengthen opportunities for the people they serve.”

Recipient organizations were selected based on the needs for grant funding to serve affordable housing or community development needs including job training, affordable housing, financial literacy, food banks and youth programs.This member matching grant program is part of FHLB Des Moines’ ongoing mission to offer a variety of funding options through its members.

Since its launch in 2023, the Member Impact Fund has provided more than $83 million in grants from FHLB Des Moines, generating over $113 million in combined support for affordable housing and community development. Notably, every eligible application submitted to the program has received funding—reflecting the organization’s strong commitment to partnership and impact.

Levo has donated over $405,400 to worthy causes over the past five years and operates its own 501C3 private foundation called the Levo Cares Foundation. For more information about Levo’s giving, go to: Levo.org/foundation.