The Bremer Emergency Fund was created in 2009 as a joint response by the Otto Bremer Foundation and Bremer Bank to the economic challenges facing communities. In January 2009, the Fund provided 81 grants totaling $4.2 million to enable community organizations in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin to provide emergency financial assistance to families and individuals struggling to provide basics such as food, warm and stable housing, health care, and reliable transportation.

An evaluation of the impact of those initial grants led to the Foundation's decision to provide supplemental funding to organizations in the original group that are able to continue providing emergency assistance and follow-up services. In November 2010, the Foundation awarded a total of approximately $3 million to 80 organizations.

The Foundation created the Bremer Emergency Fund because we recognized that timely financial assistance can sometimes make the difference between instability and security, enabling families and individuals to meet emergency needs and retain housing or jobs. Then, once people are able to meet their basic needs and avert a crisis, they are in a better position to access community programs that can help them achieve long-term economic stability.

The Bremer Emergency Fund honors the legacy and vision of Foundation and Bank founder Otto Bremer, who believed that people could survive and flourish if they had help at critical times.

A new Foundation report, The Bremer Emergency Fund: Helping Individuals and Families Navigate Crisis, outlines the impact of the 2009 emergency fund grants as well as ongoing needs identified by the participating organizations.

News release and grants list for supplemental Bremer Emergency Fund grants