First Interstate grant program benefits Northwest Infant Survival Alliance and SIDS Foundation

Northwest Infant Survival Alliance and SIDS Foundation recently received a $25,000 gift from First Interstate Bank and the First Interstate BancSystem Foundation as part of their fourth annual Believe in Local grant campaign.

 “This support from First Interstate is more than just financial aid; it's a lifeline for our community helping us to ensure every child gets to celebrate their first birthday and beyond," said Liz Montgomery, NISSA’s executive director, expressed deep gratitude for the donation.

Two First Interstate employees, Carolyn Deitz, administrative assistant and Corrin Wallace, retail manager, nominated NISSA for the grant. 

“First Interstate’s Believe in Local grant campaign embodies the bank’s core values in action, celebrating nonprofit organizations that make a significant, positive impact in our communities,” Wallace said. 

In 1961, eight bereaved parents connected and formed what eventually became the SIDS Foundation of Washington, now NISSA. This organization was created to reach out to families affected by, what was known at the time as, “crib death.” 

Since those early days, NISSA has grown into an organization that serves the Northwest region while maintaining its mission to provide emotional support for bereaved families and world class, free prevention education and training to parents, caregivers, and medical professionals.

First Interstate Bank launched the Believe in Local campaign in 2022 to celebrate the bank’s longstanding commitment to the communities it serves. Each year, 40 nonprofit organizations across the bank’s 14-state footprint receive a $25,000 gift in support of their mission. 

NISSA was selected from a pool of over 615 submissions.

“I am excited for NISSA to receive this special grant award to help them continue providing emotional support to families affected by a pregnancy, infant, or child loss," Wallace said.