First National Bank of Omaha grants $30k to Habitat of Columbus
Construction is not a cheap endeavor, not leastwise for nonprofit organizations like Habitat for Humanity of Columbus, but thanks to a $30,000 Impact Grant from First National Bank of Omaha, Habitat will be able to make a dent in some of their costs.
With two projects currently on the schedule, Habitat certainly has a place for the funds to go, said Executive Director Lori Peters.
"We'll take this $30,000 and immediately use it to buy materials for the houses that we build," Peters said.
Having recently brought on a full-time construction manager, production will definitely move much more smoothly in the future, Peters said.
Habitat traditionally lets the families move in around August and recently picked the next recipient, whose new home will have been partially built by Lakeview High School students.
"The lady who's going to purchase that home is actually a Lakeview alumni, so that's really cool," Peters said.
Impact grants, according to the FNBO website, are so named because they are given to organizations that are making an impact in the communities in which FNBO has branches.
In 2023, FNBO awarded $1,738,000 to 90 organizations across their communities, according to the website.
That all comes back to Columbus, Habitat of Columbus President Lisa Saenz said.
"I just think it's incredibly rewarding because they're using their local dollars to support local and this is 100% local," she said. "This is somebody that you've probably passed on the street and never known what their need is. You really are helping your local community and I think it's great because a lot of companies say that and to have them do it here (is incredibly rewarding)."
The impact will be felt for a long time, as a home is more than just a thing or service people use, Peters said.
"It's so tangible, right? You are giving to your community and it changes your community," she said. "This money will change the lives of seven people immediately and make a difference that's generational."
