(BOISE) U.S. Bancorp Foundation recently contributed $10,000 to the Finally Home!® Home Buyer Education program administered by the Idaho Partners for Home Buyer Education (IPHBE). The contribution will assist with educational contract expenses, textbooks and other class materials and program administration. U.S. Bank has contributed a total of $85,000 to the program since 2000.

"Foundation grants are the cornerstone to the U.S. Bank philosophy of giving back to the community," said Cindy Williams, U.S. Bank vice president and community development manager. "Supporting programs that provide financial literacy and specifically home ownership are a funding priority for U.S. Bank. We are proud to be a founding partner of Finally Home!® "

The home buyer education program is provided by the IPHBE, a nonprofit organization that has joined with local partners in Idaho to offer Finally Home!® classes every month statewide. Class content covers everything from qualifying for a mortgage and choosing a real estate professional, to making an offer and closing.

Finally Home!® has graduated more than 10,000 future Idaho home owners since its inception and anticipates graduating a total of 2,400 in 2004.

The Idaho Housing and Finance Association, a financial services and housing organization, provides funding for affordable housing in Idaho communities where they are most needed and when it is economically feasible. IHFA uses no state funds or state employees to support its operations. For more information, visit our Web site at www.ihfa.org.