31 August 2023, Denver: 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.”
