Partnering to Strengthen Tribal Communities
By the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation team
September 21, 2026 — Through its Impact Investing Fund, the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation is deploying charitable dollars in a new way—not as grants, but as investments designed to generate both financial returns and lasting community impact. One example of that strategy in action is its ongoing partnership with Bay Bank.
This partnership is expanding access to capital in communities that have historically been overlooked by traditional lenders.
Bay Bank is not a typical financial institution. As a federally certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), its mission is to serve low- and moderate-income communities. It is also the only Native American-owned bank in Wisconsin, with a particular focus on the Oneida and Menominee Nations. In these communities, where many residents have low to moderate incomes and limited access to credit, the bank plays a critical role in strengthening local economies and creating opportunities.
The Community Foundation’s short-term deposit at Bay Bank allows it to do what it does best: extend loans, take thoughtful risks, and customize solutions to fit the specific needs of the communities it understands and serves. Since no two tribal communities are alike, this flexibility is crucial for providing solutions that are both locally appropriate and effective.
“At Bay Bank, we believe that financial institutions have a responsibility to do more than just process transactions. They should help create opportunities. ”said Jeff Bowman, president and CEO at Bay Bank. “The Community Foundation’s investment allows us to expand access to capital where it can make the biggest impact, supporting homeownership, entrepreneurship, and community development in areas that have too often been overlooked.”
That approach is especially important in Menominee County, where Bay Bank’s impact is particularly evident. It is the only county in Wisconsin designated as experiencing “persistent poverty,” meaning poverty rates have remained above 20% for decades. In this environment, Bay Bank is the sole financial institution, making its presence both critical and transformative.
Their relationship-first approach to banking makes all the difference. Instead of turning away people with limited credit history, the bank invests in financial education, offers credit counseling, and lends based on a borrower’s potential and willingness to repay. In doing so, it builds trust, improves financial literacy, and creates paths to long-term stability.
This commitment is reflected in innovative, community-specific programs. In partnership with the Oneida Nation, Bay Bank has developed mortgage and entrepreneurial initiatives that help tribal members access housing and launch businesses.
The bank is the only Green Bay institution offering the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee Program, which gives enrolled tribal members a path to homeownership through low down payments and flexible underwriting. Since 2005, Bay Bank has facilitated more than $80 million in Section 184 loans, supporting home purchases, construction, and improvements both on and off tribal land.
Bay Bank also administers the Oneida Small Business Project 2000, through which it has delivered more than $5 million in capital to over 100 Oneida entrepreneurs. Beyond financing, the bank works closely with participants to help support long-term business success.
Together, these efforts are addressing two of the most powerful drivers of long-term stability: homeownership and entrepreneurship.
This transformational approach extends across the region. It supports small businesses like Shawn’s Pro Wash, advances economic development through initiatives such as Wolf River Development, and invests in community health facilities and women-led organizations like She Rises Collective. Together, these efforts are helping build a more resilient and self-sufficient future.
This partnership reflects a shared commitment: to direct capital where it is most needed and can do the most good. By investing in Bay Bank, the Foundation is not only increasing access to financial resources but also helping to strengthen communities, encourage entrepreneurship, and create enduring economic opportunities across Wisconsin’s tribal nations.
Connect with our team or visit our website to learn more about the Impact Investing Fund at the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation.
