Community Spirit Award

Celebrating community involvement

The Community Spirit Award honors exceptional individuals from our member financial institutions who have made a notable impact in their communities through a history of work to expand affordable housing; dedication to unique and innovative economic development solutions; and emerging leaders with a demonstrated commitment to affordable housing and community economic development. Whether through a history of forging strategic partnerships or implementing unique strategies to create local affordable housing and economic development opportunities, or as an emerging leader in the field, Community Spirit Award recipients are those who go above and beyond to promote strong, sustainable and healthy communities across our district.

FHLBank Indianapolis recognizes these efforts each year by bestowing the Community Spirit Award to a noteworthy individual in both Indiana and Michigan, alongside a $5,000 donation in the recipients' honor to the charity or nonprofit organization of their choice.

John Harpst

VP, Community Lending | Lake Michigan Credit Union | Grand Rapids, Mich.

Michigan's community-empowering mortgage superstar

John Harpst

John Harpst joined Lake Michigan Credit Union in 2021, and over the last five years has transformed LMCU's engagement with FHLBank Indianapolis Community Investment programs in Detroit and across the state of Michigan.

Under his leadership, LMCU grew from limited Community Investment program participation to becoming Michigan's leading user of the Launch and HomeBoost programs. Through his dedication to community-empowering mortgage lending, he has been instrumental in developing LMCU's own down payment assistance programs to layer with Launch and HomeBoost.

With these efforts, Harpst has facilitated more than $2.2 million in FHLBank Indianapolis grant assistance to more than 100 Michigan households, helping them achieve and maintain homeownership for long-term stability and generational wealth-building.

Kristen Hodge

VP, Nonprofit Services Officer | The National Bank of Indianapolis | Indianapolis, Ind.

Indiana's affordable housing herald

Kristen Hodge

Since joining The National Bank of Indianapolis in 2016, Ms. Kristen Hodge has made her mark on the local community. With a varied background in commercial lending, from small business to specialized assets, she brings a wealth of knowledge and a surplus of energy and commitment to her role as VP, Nonprofit Services Officer where she oversees relationships with local CDCs, civic organizations, faith-based groups and more.

Hodge attributes her affordable housing successes to a combination of creativity and the culture of 'yes' that permeates her institution: when a good project falls on her plate, she works outside the box finding creative ways to make the funding happen.

Her efforts have certainly paid off: with more than $3 million in Affordable Housing Program grants under her belt, Hodge has helped create nearly 100 new units of affordable housing through FHLBank Indianapolis grants alone.

Nominating criteria

The Community Spirit Award is dedicated to individuals who exemplify excellence in any of the following areas. Eligible nominees must work at one of our member financial institutions. A recipient will be selected from both Indiana and Michigan.

Affordable Housing: profound impact on increasing or strengthening affordable housing opportunities or partnerships in their community, to include single- or multi-family projects, unique housing strategies or partnerships and involvement in FHLBank Indianapolis Affordable Housing Program or Homeownership Initiatives.

Economic Development: exceptional effort to promote economic development in their community by supporting unique partnerships or projects for small businesses, business growth or involvement with Community Impact Advance or Elevate programs.

Emerging Leader: an emerging leader with a demonstrated commitment to building strong communities through housing and economic development. These individuals are known for taking initiative, delivering remarkable results and going above and beyond.