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FHLBank Indianapolis announces 2025 Michigan Community Spirit Award winner

last updated on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 in Affordable Housing

On Aug. 12. 2025, FHLBank Indianapolis announced Jason Blain, senior commercial lender at Grand Rapids-based Independent Bank, was awarded the 2025 Community Spirit Award honoring exceptional contributions to affordable housing and community development in Michigan.

Since the award’s inception in 2007, FHLBank Indianapolis — a regional, wholesale bank cooperative and part of the Federal Home Loan Bank system — has honored leaders in affordable housing and community economic development with its annual Community Spirit Award. Each year, a recipient from one of FHLBank Indianapolis’ member financial institutions in both Michigan and Indiana is honored for their extraordinary dedication to affordable housing efforts, unique and innovative community economic development strategies, or as emerging leaders with a demonstrated commitment to affordable housing and community development.

To date, Blain has spearheaded investments in eight Affordable Housing Program projects across Michigan, facilitating approximately $4.5 million in grants for a wide range of affordable housing and community development initiatives. Blain’s additional accomplishments include exceptional leadership in partnering with Michigan-based community development financial institutions (CDFIs) to support flexible lending and increase access to low-cost capital through FHLBank Indianapolis’ CDFI Rate Buydown program.

“Jason is recognized in part for his commitment to creative thinking around project financing, an increasingly challenging component of affordable housing development," said Anna Shires, VP, Associate Director of Community Investment Outreach at FHLBank Indianapolis. "By selflessly offering his guidance and insight to peers and community partners, Jason has provided critical support that has multiplied his impact beyond just his own work. His efforts can be seen in the more than 500 units of affordable housing he’s helped finance."

Blain's award was presented at the Michigan Shareholder Symposium in Lansing, Mich. The Indiana award recipient will be announced Aug. 21, 2025, at the Indianapolis Shareholder Symposium.

Click here to read the Bank’s full news release on the Michigan award.

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