Acting on a request from the Montana Bankers Association, the ABA Foundation will activate its online disaster relief fundraising platform to support relief efforts in the state after historic Yellowstone River flooding
The American Bankers Association Foundation today announced it will start collecting tax-exempt contributions through its Disaster Relief Program to help aid relief efforts in western Montana after historic flooding devastated communities in and around Yellowstone National Park. At the request of the Montana Bankers Association (MBA), the ABA Foundation will immediately begin accepting donations today. At the conclusion of the fundraising campaign, all funds raised will be directed to the Montana Community Foundation where they will be distributed to aid local relief efforts.
In all, more than 400 homes were destroyed in the June flooding and more than 10,000 people needed to be evacuated. Bank employees in the area were among those directly affected. Major roads and bridges in the area remain washed out, and the flooding has significantly slowed what should be peak tourist season in the area, damaging the local economy.
“Our hearts are with the people of Montana as they work to rebuild from the devastating impact of the Yellowstone River flooding,” said ABA President and CEO Rob Nichols. “I know Montana banks are already stepping up to support local communities in need. By activating the ABA Foundation’s Disaster Relief Program, we are hoping that the entire banking industry can contribute to the relief effort underway.”
“We thank the ABA Foundation and our banking industry colleagues across the country for their support,” said Cary Hegreberg, president and CEO of the Montana Bankers Association. “I know these funds will make a meaningful difference to Montanans hit hard by the flooding, including the bank employees directly impacted by this disaster.”
Through the ABA Foundation’s Disaster Relief Program, state bankers associations can request ABA Foundation assistance after a presidentially-declared disaster in their state. If the request meets certain criteria and is approved by the ABA Foundation Board, the ABA Foundation can solicit donations nationwide on the state association’s behalf. The state association is responsible for identifying a qualified recipient for all funds raised.
Donations will be accepted until August 8, 2022. To donate, visit aba.com/donaterelief. To learn more about the Montana Community Foundation, visit https://mtcf.org/.