First National Bank gives $100,000 to Brandon Valley schools through innovative debit card program

This paid piece is sponsored by The First National Bank in Sioux Falls.

When First National Bank launched its innovative Community Card program for schools in 2012, Brandon Valley was the first of the local bank’s six communities to join the team.

Eleven years later, there are now 15 schools in 10 communities on the program’s roster. And yet, Brandon Valley has received nearly one-third of the $330,486.12 that FNB has given back through the program.

“A large portion of Brandon’s community members are Lynx,” said Val Lemkau, branch manager at FNB’s Brandon location. “It doesn’t matter what sport you play. It doesn’t matter if you’re in athletics, in band, in choir — it unifies everyone in the school district. I think that’s helped Brandon Valley to be so successful with this program.”

Giving back through the Community Card program

When customers of FNB make a credit purchase with their school’s Community Card, the bank donates a portion of that amount back to the school.

First National distributes checks throughout the year to give that money back to the 15 local schools involved in the program.

A recent distribution marked a huge milestone for FNB: By presenting a check for $15,453, the bank brought Brandon Valley’s total earnings through the program to $100,000.

“The first couple of check presentations we made in Brandon were for $1,000 or $2,000 each,” Lemkau said. “It’s grown a lot since then, and this is the largest distribution we’ve made to Brandon Valley so far. It’s amazing to reach that $100,000 mark.”

One of the earliest Brandon Valley Community Card distributions in 2014.

FNB’s Brandon bankers present a milestone check to the Brandon Valley School District on Sept. 8.

Building a strong partnership

When the Community Card program launched, it took some education on the bank’s part to get customers involved and excited.

“Not only was it a new program, but Brandon was the first community to join,” Lemkau said. “There was always the question of, ‘What does it cost me?’ But this program really is at no cost to our customers, and it’s one of the bank’s ways of giving back to the communities we’re a part of.”

These days, according to Lemkau, the bankers often don’t even have to show customers their full slate of debit card options.

“Thanks to word of mouth around the community, the program has taken off,” she said. “People know that it’s there. They recognize it and have really embraced it. When they come in asking for the Community Card, that, to me, is the big milestone.”

First National Bank’s Brandon location shows off its Lynx pride.

And she says that for good reason because the program wouldn’t even exist without customer support.

Although Community Cards are built on a three-way partnership among a school, First National and the bank’s customers, the program relies solely on those customers who are willing and eager to add a Community Card to their wallet — and then use it regularly to earn money for their school.

“As for the bank, we’ve always had a great partnership with the school district,” Lemkau said. “I think this program helps unify the community members with the school as well since they’re the ones earning those donations for Brandon Valley.”

First National Bank and Brandon Valley High School sit side by side.

“Working hand in hand with First National Bank over the last 30 years has not only been about financial support, but also about fostering a sense of community and collaboration that benefits both our students and the local economy,” said Paul Lundberg, Brandon Valley School District business manager, of the local bank that has served Brandon since 1991.

“The $100,000 milestone, made possible by our local Brandon Valley First National Bank patrons, is a testament to our community’s commitment to enhancing education,” Lundberg added.

Impacting every student in Brandon

Each school involved in the Community Card program can decide where its donations go.

While some put the money straight toward their booster clubs or athletics, Brandon Valley operates a little differently.

“Our checks go directly to the Brandon Valley School District,” Lemkau said. “It was really important that those funds would be distributed to all students and staff.”

Val Lemkau presents Superintendent Jarod Larson with the milestone check.

Through our partnership with First National Bank, and specifically the Community Card program, we have been able to enhance educational programs and further promote high-quality student experiences,” Superintendent Jarod Larson said.

One way the donations have been used over the years is to help fund the school district’s “Lynx Way” T-shirts, which are given to every student and staff member at the beginning of the school year.

“No matter what your income is, when it’s homecoming or spirit day, you will have something that you can stand proud and wear,” Lemkau said. “They used part of the Community Card funds to offset that cost one year, which was something significant that we got to be a part of.”

Another year, the money helped fund a reading initiative, providing every student in the district a free book to read over the summer.

“As a parent, I appreciate that these are benefits my own kids have been able to receive,” said Lemkau, who has two children in the Brandon Valley school system. “A bank doesn’t have to do this, but FNB values our community enough to invest these dollars into our growth and our kids.”

Supporting the community in more ways than one

While the Community Card program is a large part of how First National practices stewardship in the Brandon community, it’s not the only way the city’s only locally owned bank offers support.

Another milestone in FNB’s partnership with the school district came in 2007, when the bank moved to a new location at Splitrock and Holly boulevards.

First National donated its former branch building, also on Splitrock Boulevard, to the school district — and that building now serves as the district’s central office.

Additionally, FNB partnered with the Brandon Valley Baseball Association to build one of the finest baseball fields in South Dakota: First National Bank Field.

The bank donated $150,000 to help fund the field, which opened in 2018 — but FNB really viewed it as funding the community.

Val Lemkau and Bob Baker, FNB’s director of corporate affairs, cut the ribbon on First National Bank Field in 2018.

“Some people will say, ‘Not every kid plays baseball,’” Lemkau said, “but First National Bank Field positively impacts our local businesses by bringing in tournaments. Visitors are coming in from out of town and eating at our restaurants, staying in our hotels, finding entertainment in our community, which also increases sales tax revenue. It’s not only helping the city — it’s helping other local businesses too.”

In fact, the University of Sioux Falls baseball team played its slate of 2022 home games at First National Bank Field while field upgrades were being made at Sioux Falls Stadium, and USF and Augustana University co-hosted part of last year’s NSIC Tournament there as well.

How you can get involved

First National Bank does a lot of its own giving to help build up the Brandon community, but the easiest way for you to join in on the fun is through the Community Card program.

A Brandon Valley card can be added to any FNB personal checking account, and students can show their school pride by choosing one to accompany their student checking account.

“A lot of students proudly wear Lynx apparel and represent their team with our debit cards,” Lemkau said. “Sometimes kids think, ‘I’m too cool for my school stuff,’ or ‘I’d rather have a tie-dye card.’ But most of the students are choosing the Community Card as well. It’s unified. It’s something they’re proud of — to be a Lynx.”

If you want to help Brandon Valley earn even more money, you can request a card by visiting First National’s branch at the corner of Splitrock and Holly in Brandon, or by reaching out to Lemkau here.

And if you’re not a Lynx but still want to support your school through the Community Card program, check out the full roster here.