Elk View Housing Development
A Collaborative Effort to Transition Low-Income Rentals to Homeownership In the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, Oti Kaga, a nonprofit housing developer, built over 100 housing units for low-income
Flexible Financing Takes Business to Next Step
Justin and Jeane Henrichsen Become Full Owners of Independent Ale House and Windsor Block Bar About 15 years ago, Justin and Jeane (Cheyenne River Sioux) Henrichsen set out to introduce
Creating Her Own Way
Bonnie LeBeau reflects on 25 years of partnering with Four Bands and a lifetime of quilting. Although Bonnie LeBeau, a Navy veteran and member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe,
Four Bands Celebrates Silver Anniversary
April 29, 2025 Reflections on a Quarter Century of Creating Economic Opportunity Twenty-five years ago, Four Bands Community Fund had just received its nonprofit status and was operating out of
Request for Proposals for Travel Agency Services
January 14, 2024 Request for Proposal (RFP): Travel Agency Services with Federal Compliance Four Bands Community Fund is soliciting proposals from qualified travel agencies to provide comprehensive travel management services.
We’re Hiring a Communications Coordinator!
January 13, 2024 Seeking Qualified Candidates for Communications Coordinator We are seeking a dynamic, organized, creative self starter to join our team as the Communications Coordinator. The ideal candidate will
What is the thriving wage on Cheyenne River?
June 11, 2024 Data Study Determines Thriving Wage for Cheyenne River Last year, through a collaboration with The Opportunity Project, Four Bands Community Fund commenced a thriving wage research project.
Announcing New Office Hours
May 21, 2024 Please take note of our new office hours! Beginning May 28, 2024, our staff will be available Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm to
2024 Mortgage Lending Announcement
April 15, 2024 Four Bands Announces Mortgage Lending for 2024 Four Bands Community Fund is pleased to announce the opening of our 2024 mortgage application season. This year, through a
Let’s welcome Kelli Laurenz!
March 11, 2024 Let’s welcome Kelli Laurenz! She has joined our team as the Home Mortgage Navigator. Four Bands is pleased to announce that Kelli Laurenz (Cheyenne River) has filled
Four Bands Launches Project to Strengthen Local Food Systems
December 15, 2023 Four Bands Launches Project to Strengthen Local Food Systems With funding support from the Native American Agriculture Fund, Four Bands is launching a project, titled “Increasing Market
Four Bands to Sunset Tax Preparation Program
October 16, 2023 Four Bands to Sunset Tax Preparation Program Almost 20 years ago, Four Bands became a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site and began helping our community members
Brand Announcement
June 6, 2023 Fresh New Look, Still “The Place to Grow” Greetings! Four Bands is pleased to share our new brand with you. These newly developed components – logo, color
Introducing Chaylyn Birkeland!
May 26, 2023 Introducing Chaylyn Birkeland! Four Bands is glad to welcome Chaylyn Birkeland (Cheyenne River Sioux) to our team. As Loan Administrator, Chaylyn is often times the first point
Welcoming Tommy Robinson!
April 24, 2023 Welcoming Tommy Robinson! Four Bands is pleased to announce that Tommy Robinson (Northern Cheyenne) has joined our team as the Regional Revolving Loan Fund Manager. This is
Meet Our Newest Team Member
September 20, 2022 Welcome Shalyn! As Director of Operations, Shalyn Hawley plays a critical role in Four Bands’ systems, processes, and organizational culture. Shalyn brings over 14 years of experience
U.S. Department of Commerce Invests Approximately $45 Million to Grow the Indigenous Finance Sector in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming Through American Rescue Plan Regional Challenge
U.S. Department of Commerce Invests Approximately $45 Million to Grow the Indigenous Finance Sector in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming Through American Rescue Plan Regional Challenge September 02, 2022
Making Money Matter During Tax Season
Our tax preparation service brought $2M to Cheyenne River households! June 30, 2022 Every year Four Bands operates a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site where we help people file
Four Bands Named as Bush Foundation Grant Making Partner
April 19, 2022 Announcing the Bush Foundation’s partnership with the Good Relatives Collaborative In a commitment to sharing power by providing grants through community-rooted partners, Bush Foundation announced the Good
Mark Shupick Retires After Nearly 20 Years of Helping Entrepreneurs
Supporting Entrepreneurial Growth & Development on Cheyenne River for 20 Years March 31, 2022 In 2002, Mark Shupick was hired on as Four Bands Community Fund’s Enterprise Manager where
Request for Proposal – Regional Competitiveness Officer
January 18, 2022 Seeking Proposals for Regional Competitiveness Officer Four Bands Community Fund, Inc. is requesting proposals for the role of Regional Competitiveness Officer from consulting firms that possess the
Vogel Advocates for More Federal Support of Community Loan Funds
Our Executive Director, Lakota Vogel, testified on January 5, 2022 before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development. Lakota was one of three witnesses to testify
A Tribute to Cora Mae Haskell
Inspiring Entrepreneurs & Teaching the Ways of Responsible Financial Management December 10, 2021 Cora Mae Haskell started her career in the education field by teaching high school
Collaboration with Tribe to Expand Capital Access
State Small Business Credit Initiative July 16, 2021 As part of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) has been resurrected
Providing Economic Relief Through the Pandemic
Supporting Ag Producers, Small Business Owners, and Families July 15, 2021 As the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Four Bands pivoted our operations to focus on recovery and resiliency. Many of the
Introducing Our Three New Staff Members!
Join us in welcoming our new team members July 1, 2021 Tori Chasing Hawk In her position as Loan Administrator, Tori is often times the first point of contact for
Making Money Matter During Tax Season
Our tax preparation service brought $3.5M to Cheyenne River households! June 30, 2021 Every year Four Bands operates a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site where we help people file
Four Bands Featured in USDA Resource Guide
USDA launches resource guide to help America’s rural workforce build back better. June 10, 2021 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Justin Maxson unveiled
Four Bands Becomes Approved Lender for Farm Service Agency Guarantee Program
New FSA Guaranteed Lender Status will support increased capital needs of Native farmers and ranchers. March 5, 2021 Four Bands Community Fund is pleased to announce we have been approved
We’re Hiring!
Seeking Qualified Applicants for Two Open Positions March 2, 2021 Four Bands is excited to announce that we’re hiring for two positions – a Business Loan Officer and a Loan
Lakota Vogel to Share How Four Bands is Creating Economic Inclusion During Tax Season
Webinar: Increasing the Number of Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Sites, Account Access, and Economic Inclusion in South Dakota On February 24, 2021 at 1:00pm Mountain Time, the Federal Deposit
Alissa Benoist to Present on Financial Sovereignty at Black Hills State University
Part of the American Indian Studies Speaker Series February 23, 2021 Alissa Benoist, Four Bands’ Program Coordinator, will be discussing the topic of financial sovereignty as part of Black Hills
Free Tax Preparation Services Offered
Same great service offered in a new way this year! January 25, 2021 Four Bands Community Fund will be offering our annual free tax preparation services from February 1st
Twenty Homebuyers to Receive Down Payment Assistance
New funds to make homeownership affordable for more families! December 17, 2020 Four Bands Community Fund received a $114,000 Housing Opportunity Fund award from the South Dakota Housing Development Authority
Four Bands Community Fund Welcomes New Board Members
December 7, 2020 Four Bands Community Fund recently seated three new members to our Board of Directors, including: Noorie Brantmeier (Arapaho and Saponi), a partner at Seven Sisters Community
Small Businesses Matter!
Small businesses create jobs, generate income, and support our community. Behind every small business is a family that is passionate about their line of work and cares about making
Four Bands Among 30 Organizations to Receive Funding from Citi Foundation
Funds Directed to Organizations Serving Small Businesses Owned by People of Color and Households Most Impacted by COVID-19 November 20, 2020 The Citi Foundation today named 30 Community Development
Making Money Matter During Tax Season
This tax season, we helped our community members save $144,000 in commercial tax preparation fees! November 19, 2020 Every year Four Bands operates a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site
Four Bands to Provide Assistance to SD CARES Housing Assistance Program Applicants
We’re here to help! October 23, 2020 If you have been financially impacted due to COVID-19, the SD CARES Housing Assistance Program (SDCHAP) may provide temporary rental, mortgage, or utility
Assistance Offered to Help Claim Stimulus Payments
Many have experienced delays or difficulty in accessing financial relief. September 18, 2020 The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) estimates that approximately nine million people have not yet received their stimulus
Introducing the Mountain | Plains Regional Native CDFI Coalition
Spanning North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming, The Mountain | Plains Regional Native CDFI Coalition is comprised of a group of Native-led community loan funds, also known as Native
Ubetcha Wateca Celebrates First Anniversary
Shari Ducheneaux Commits to Success Despite Pandemic-Induced Downturn June 9, 2020 In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ubetcha Wateca celebrated one year at their new location in the Four
First Interstate Bank donates $70,000 to Native Community Development Financial Institutions.
During a health crisis, the underserved and those facing financial obstacles are often hit the hardest. For this reason, First Interstate and its Foundation have worked to proactively provide support
COVID-19 Response Plan
Office Access Restrictions March 19, 2020 With our community and relatives being the focus of our concerns, we are modifying our operations to offer as much continuity, security, and safety
Alissa Benoist Selected for Leadership Group for MIT’s 2019 Indigenous Communities Fellowship
Alissa Benoist Selected for Leadership Group for MIT’s 2019 Indigenous Communities Fellowship April 2, 2019 Four Bands Community Fund is pleased to announce that our Program Coordinator, Alissa Benoist, has
We’re Joining 53 Counties on South Dakota Day of Giving!
Giving Tuesday (also known as #GivingTuesday on social media) has become a well-known global day of giving that is celebrated the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Following the widely recognized shopping events,
Lakota Vogel Receives 2018 Native American 40 Under 40 Award
The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (the National Center) announced its 2018 class of “Native American 40 Under 40” award recipients today. Nominated by members of their communities,
USDA Rural Development Meets with Four Bands about Mortgage Lending Pilot
The US Department of Agriculture’s Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development, Anne Hazlett visited the Pine Ridge Reservation to meet with Four Bands Community Fund, Mazaska Owecaso Otipi Financial,
Four Bands to Participate in USDA Pilot Program to Increase Homeownership Opportunities
Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the launch of a new pilot program that will increase access to their home loan products on tribal lands. As a participant in
Cora Mae Haskell Named Financial Literacy All-Star
Congratulations Cora Mae! April 10, 0218 We’d like to congratulate our Asset Development Coordinator, Cora Mae Haskell, for being named a Financial Literacy All-Star by First Nations Development Institute! During
Four Bands Featured by Northwest Area Foundation
Take a look at our profile published by Northwest Area Foundation! December 20, 2017 Four Bands is pleased to be featured by the Northwest Area Foundation as part of their
Four Bands to Launch Home Renovation Lending Program
$941,333 Grant Award Will Support Homeowners and Entrepreneurs October 2, 2017 Four Bands has received a $941,333 grant award from the US Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund. In
Alissa Benoist Named Native Nations Rebuilder
Congratulations Alissa! September 27, 2017 We’d like to congratulate our Program Coordinator, Alissa Benoist, for being one of the 25 individuals chosen for the 9th Cohort of Native Nation Rebuilders!
Foundation Annual Report Highlights Native CDFIs
Native Community Loan Funds Are Engines of Change! August 18, 2017 The Northwest Area Foundation, our dedicated partner and funder, just released their 2017 Annual Report. This year, they are
2017 Cheyenne River Visitors Guide
Download your copy today! July 25, 2017 We are pleased to announce the 2017 Cheyenne River Visitors Guide is out and ready for your viewing pleasure. Four Bands publishes the
Four Bands Hosts Visitors from Washington DC
US Treasury and National Organization Experience Cheyenne River Entrepreneurship July 19, 2017 Four Bands was excited to host guests, Annie Donovan, CDFI Fund Director, Clint Hastings, CDFI Fund Program Manager,
New Funding Moves Incubator Project Forward
Four Bands Receives Grant Funding for Business Incubator June 15, 2017 We are pleased to announce that we have received two funding awards totaling $670,000 that will move the development
Bush Foundation Case Study
Bush Prize for Community Innovation: Case Study on Four Bands March 1, 2017 As an awardee of the Bush Prize for Community Innovation, the Bush Foundation wrote a case study
Four Bands Expands Team
Four Bands Expands Team for Renewed Focus on Youth September 20, 2016 Four Bands recently added two new staff members to support our renewed focus on delivering programs designed to
![[VIDEO] Unlocking Investment in Rural America](https://fourbands.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/header-16-370x209.jpg)
[VIDEO] Unlocking Investment in Rural America
Unlocking Investment in Rural America August 18, 2016 Four Bands was featured in a video produced by USDA and the Corporation for Enterprise Development that highlights the need for a
$1.5 Million Invested
Four Bands Invests in South Dakota’s Native-Owned Businesses May 2, 2016 Four Bands is celebrating a milestone as we reach a total of $1.5 million in loans deployed to support over
Four Bands Accepts Award
Four Bands Receives Small Business Empowerment Award at RES Las Vegas March 22, 2016 Four Bands and a Navajo woman entrepreneur whose company just celebrated 20 years of serving Indian country,
New Initiative Designed to Attract $2M
Four Bands Launches “Opportunity Finance for Native Markets” February 9, 2016 Four Bands has announced the launch of an initiative called Opportunity Finance for Native Markets. The initiative, funded by
![[VIDEO] 3rd Annual Art in the Park](https://fourbands.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/IMG_2712-e1493167004327-scaled-370x209.jpg)
[VIDEO] 3rd Annual Art in the Park
Successfully Promoting Art & Tourism on Cheyenne River July 28, 2015 Art in the Park is an annual event that offers a full day of all-ages fun and entertainment for
$1.3 Million in Tax Refunds
Four Bands Finishes a Strong Financial Capability Month by Helping Local Residents Receive $1.3 Million in Tax Refunds April 30, 2015 Residents of the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation kept an
Financial Institutions Collaborate
Four Bands Participates in Collaboration to Maximize Financial Capability During Land Consolidation Phase of Cobell Settlement April 8, 2015 On the morning of April 3, 2015 a group of seven
![[VIDEO] Four Bands Featured in Bush Foundation Film](https://fourbands.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Jessie-Carlson-sized-370x209.jpg)
[VIDEO] Four Bands Featured in Bush Foundation Film
Four Bands Featured in Video as Bush Prize for Community Innovation Awardee April 7, 2014 We were featured in a short film showcasing our innovative strategies in financial education, including
[VIDEO] Building a Sustainable Future
Building a Sustainable Future on Cheyenne River December 19, 2013 In late 2013, Four Bands had the opportunity to showcase five of our local business owners and how they are