Building Together: How Choice Bank Became BIO Girls' First Believer
Building Together: How Choice Bank Became BIO Girls' First Believer
A decade-long partnership rooted in rural communities reaches a milestone moment as Choice Bank leads a 2026 accessibility initiative with a $100,000 pledge that will ensure thousands more girls can participate.
When BIO Girls founder Missy Heilman walked into Choice Bank in 2016, BIO Girls was still finding its footing. With just 200 participants across five program locations, the nonprofit needed something fundamental: a checking account. More than that, they needed a partner who believed that a growing program serving girls in rural North Dakota and Minnesota was worth backing.
Choice Bank said yes.
"Choice Bank gave BIO Girls the belief that not only were we providing a valuable program, but the organization was worth investing in," Heilman recalled. It was a pivotal moment… not just transactional, but transformational. That checking account and a $3,000 donation represented legitimacy, infrastructure, and a financial institution willing to believe in an idea that hadn't yet proven its scale.
Nearly a decade later, that belief has paid off in ways neither party could have fully imagined.
From 400 Girls to 16,000: A Partnership That Grew
As of today, BIO Girls has reached more than 16,000 girls across North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Wisconsin through its program. The organization that once served 40 girls in Fargo, ND now operates in communities that mirror Choice Bank's own footprint: Belfield, Bismarck, Dickinson, Fargo, Grafton, Grand Forks, LaMoure, Langdon, Moorhead, Steele, and West Fargo. In many of these towns, Choice Bank team members and BIO Girls programs serve the same families in rural communities where access to enrichment opportunities can be limited by geography and cost.
Choice Bank's support has been central to bridging that gap. Since 2016, the bank has consistently funded BIO Girls' financial aid program, ensuring that no girl is turned away due to cost. The numbers tell a compelling story. Currently, more than 50% of BIO Girls participants receive some form of financial aid, with many attending at zero cost. It's a model grounded in the bank's core philosophy: people first.
"Choice Bank continues to live out their mission, People First, by supporting the mission of BIO Girls," Heilman said. "Choice's support in the form of financial aid funding has directly increased the self-esteem of thousands of girls in our region, many of whom may not have had the opportunity otherwise. We are grateful for this meaningful and long-standing partnership."
First to Jump: A Bold Commitment to Accessibility
As BIO Girls prepared to launch a three-year plan focused on increased accessibility, they knew they needed partners who would also commit to the vision. Choice Bank didn’t hesitate. “At Choice Bank, we believe that investing in our communities means investing in the next generation,” explains Eddie Sheeley, Fargo Market President. “Our partnership with BIO Girls is more than a sponsorship—it’s a commitment to empowering young women across the region. Seeing the growth of BIO Girls and the impact on thousands of girls’ lives reaffirms why we do what we do. We’re proud to be the first believer and to continue walking alongside BIO Girls as they break down barriers and build confidence, one girl at a time.” With this spirit, Choice Bank became the first partner to commit, pledging a $100,000 multi-year investment aimed at reducing barriers to participation in the BIO Girls program. The initiative will further ease registration processes and expand price reductions, reinforcing the organization's commitment that any family can choose to register a girl for $0.
"They supported us when we were a start-up non-profit," Heilman emphasized. That early faith wasn't a one-time gesture. It was the beginning of a sustained investment in the potential of rural girls, who would gain access to self-esteem development programming, leadership development, and community connection.
In fact, BIO Girls created a referral program in 2018 specifically to seek out girls who would benefit from the program but face barriers to participation. Choice Bank's financial aid support has made it possible for these referred participants to attend with full financial assistance, with no questions asked. In 2021, BIO Girls went even further, offering a tiered registration fee model that allows any family to enroll their daughter on partial or full financial aid with no additional forms required.
More Than a Sponsorship
The partnership extends beyond financial contributions. Choice Bank employees have become woven into the fabric of BIO Girls programming itself: serving as volunteer mentors, leading programs, cheering on participants at 5K runs, serving on the board of directors, volunteering on committees, and watching their own daughters transform through the program. “What makes this partnership truly special is how deeply our team is involved,” shares Shelley Szudera, Sr. Brand & Marketing Manager. “Choice Bank employees aren’t just supporters; we’re mentors, volunteers, and parents. We see firsthand how BIO Girls transforms lives, including the girls in our own lives. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that our efforts help create opportunities for girls who might not otherwise have access to these life-changing programs. This is what ‘People First’ looks like in action.”
For many Choice Bank employees, the impact is personal. Natalie Ganske, Risk & Compliance Program Governance Sr. Consultant, reflects, “My daughter had the privilege of participating as a Bio Girl and also volunteering a Junior Mentor for the program. I’ve seen firsthand her growth in confidence and resiliency through BIO Girls. The program doesn’t just teach skills; it builds a sense of belonging and self-worth. I’m grateful that Choice Bank supports an organization that invests so deeply in our girls’ futures. It’s a partnership that truly makes a difference for families like mine.”
Choice Bank has also amplified BIO Girls' work over the years, using its platform to raise awareness about the organization's mission and impact. Including connecting BIO Girls with other financial contributors, truly reinforcing their belief in the important work the organization does. In rural communities where word-of-mouth and local media matter, this visibility is invaluable.
A Shared Geography, A Shared Mission
The overlap between Choice Bank's branch locations and BIO Girls' programming locations isn't coincidental; it's strategic. Both organizations understand that rural communities face unique challenges when it comes to access. Whether it's financial services or mental health programming, distance and cost can be prohibitive.
By aligning their efforts, Choice Bank and BIO Girls have created a model of partnership that's responsive to the specific needs of the region they both serve. A girl in Langdon or Grafton can walk into a Choice Bank branch with her family and see an institution that also invests in her development through BIO Girls. It's a full-circle connection that strengthens both organizations' ties to the communities they call home.
Building the Future, One Girl at a Time
From that first checking account in 2016 to the landmark 2026 accessibility initiative, Choice Bank's partnership with BIO Girls tells a story about what happens when a financial institution truly commits to its community. It's not about sponsorship as marketing. It's about recognizing that investing in girls is investing in the region's future workforce, leadership pipeline, and social fabric.
As the 2026 initiative launches, the impact will be immediate and measurable. More girls in more communities will be able to participate regardless of their families' financial circumstances. Registration barriers will continue to decrease. And in rural towns across North Dakota and Minnesota and beyond, caregivers will discover what the Choice Bank team has known since 2016: they believed in BIO Girls before the numbers proved them right.
The question now isn't whether this partnership works, it's how many more girls' lives will be transformed because of it.
As BIO Girls continues to scale its reach, Choice Bank remains what it has always been: the first believer, the steady partner, and a living example of what "people first" really means.
For more information about BIO Girls' programs or to learn how to support accessibility initiatives, visit www.biogirs.org. To learn more about Choice Bank's community partnerships, visit https://bankwithchoice.com/peoplefirst/