Community Partner Profile: Gate City Bank

For over a century, Gate City Bank has been dedicated to serving its communities and Hope Blooms has been fortunate to have them as a valued partner. Through Gate City Bank employee volunteers, financial gifts and now as the Presenting Sponsor for Hope Blooms’ 2025 fundraiser, Petals for a Purpose, Gate City Bank continues to make a meaningful impact on our organization.

Hope Blooms is also incredibly grateful to have Norm Clark, Senior Vice President of Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo at Gate City Bank, serving as a board member. Norm first connected with Hope Blooms during Giving Hearts Day 2024, when the organization was awarded the $10,000 Gate City “Golden Ticket.”

A firm believer in the power of giving back, Norm embodies the spirit of community and compassion. Whether volunteering, mentoring his team, or delivering flowers to brighten someone’s day, he understands that small, intentional acts of kindness can create lasting change. His passion for empowerment and meaningful connections shines through in everything he does—including his commitment to Hope Blooms.

Title at Gate City Bank:
Senior Vice President of Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo
Years with Gate City Bank:
I will be celebrating 20 years with Gate City Bank this year!

What’s your favorite part about working at Gate City Bank?
Being a team member at Gate City Bank means being part of an organization that truly believes in empowerment, making a difference in communities and driving growth within our passionate culture. It also means applying that growth mindset to build partnerships with our communities like Hope Blooms!

How long has Gate City Bank been serving our community?
Gate City Bank has been serving the communities we call home since 1923. With over 45 locations across 23 communities throughout North Dakota and central Minnesota, our culture revolves around supporting communities throughout our home areas – including Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo!

How does Hope Blooms’ mission align with Gate City Bank’s values?
Among Gate City Bank’s Principles of High Standards, “Make a Difference” stands out the most to me because it represents what we do through volunteering and giving back to our communities while incorporating this privilege alongside the investment of coaching our team members. We also can make a difference for our customers every day, and that’s incredibly inspiring!

What is special about the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo and surrounding area?
One of the things that makes our community special is how we support each one other in times of need. Whether that is through volunteering at one of the many charitable organizations in our area, collecting food for local food pantries or stopping to help someone shovel out of a snowbank – people here are willing to step up and help.

In what ways do you see Hope Blooms bringing value to our community?
Spreading joy and smiles to those that may not normally get to experience it regularly. Restoring relevancy and self-worth with human interaction through the gift of flowers and time. It’s not complicated – instead, it’s very intentional and I’m honored to witness it firsthand.

From a community partner perspective, why do you believe in supporting causes like Hope Blooms?
Being able to support an organization like Hope Blooms through volunteering and by sharing our gifts is a great way to connect and be a part of the community we share. We can help ensure community members feel seen, remembered, loved and valued. Delivering a bouquet of flowers to an individual in an assisted living home, for example, allows us to truly see – and spend time with – someone who may not have any other community ties or people to visit them. This is so incredibly important to demonstrate the love and compassion that we so desperately need each day, in every community.

Why does feeling seen matter?
Taking the time to make eye contact, share a smile and have a conversation amid today’s fast-paced world can change a person’s day – and possibly even their perspective on life. It’s important that each of us recognize the value that a moment of our time can make on others!

What’s your favorite way to spread joy?
I enjoy helping people experience an “Aha!” moment when navigating through challenging situations and assisting or guiding them through it to a successful outcome. To me, positive words and encouragement make such a difference in people’s lives – and ultimately, can add up to a much bigger positive community impact when combined with the efforts of others spreading that same joy!

What’s your favorite flower and why?
I very much enjoy roses because they bring such joy to my wife when she receives them!

Learn more about Petals for a Purpose