First Federal contribution launches new fund

Shown in the photo above, from left to right, are Mike Zahn, president and CEO of First Federal Savings Bank; Amanda Stroup, vice president, marketing director, and mortgage lending officer at First Federal Savings Bank; Megan Thomas, Roanoke branch manager and mortgage lending officer at First Federal Savings Bank; Matt Ditzler, executive director of the Community Foundation of Huntington County and John Nelson, past president of the board of directors of the Community Foundation of Huntington County.

The Community Foundation is pleased to announce the creation of the Roanoke Hometown Endowment Fund, established with a generous contribution from First Federal Savings Bank. With successful Hometown Funds currently established in Warren, Markle and Andrews, the Foundation looks forward to expanding this impactful program into Roanoke during 2026.

“First Federal Savings Bank is proud to partner with the Community Foundation by providing the founding donation to the Roanoke Hometown Endowment Fund,” noted Mike Zahn, First Federal Savings Bank president/CEO. “As a community bank with over 100 years in Huntington County, our goal is to support the communities we serve, remains constant.”

The fund will support projects, initiatives and community events within the Roanoke community forever. The Hometown programs are overseen by a committee of local members of the respective hometown. During its yearly grant cycle, funding goes directly toward hometown initiatives at the committee’s discretion.

“We are grateful to First Federal Savings Bank for getting this fund off to a strong start,” said Matt Ditzler, Community Foundation executive director. “We are committed to working with community stakeholders to grow this fund and support projects that will make a lasting impact in Roanoke.”

So far, grants awarded through the Warren, Markle and Andrews Hometown Endowment Funds have supported the Little Rebel Store at Salamonie Elementary School, the Boys & Girls Club of Warren, a snow machine for Warren Health and Fitness, Historic Warren Main Street projects, Markle Park upgrades, Markle Community Garden, the addition of an Andrews Trailhead and the Boys & Girls Club of Andrews. The Foundation is looking forward to how the Roanoke Hometown Endowment Fund will undoubtably impact the Roanoke community for generations to come.

As the Roanoke Hometown Endowment Fund becomes established, donations will be matched $1 for $1 until the fund reaches $50,000. The first Roanoke Hometown Grant application process will open on April 6. Grants are available to all organizations or projects that benefit the Town of Roanoke and its residents. A total of $5,000 in grant funding will be available each year for the next three years of the program.

Those interested in making a lasting impact in Roanoke by contributing toward the fund are invited to donate at huntingtonccf.org/donate.