The Otto Bremer Foundation is committed to building strong connections with the communities and nonprofit organizations we support, as well as with funders and others interested in community vitality. These connections help us better understand local concerns and challenges, provide feedback on Foundation interests and activities, and strengthen our grantmaking.

Convenings

Throughout the year, Foundation staff and Trustees meet with nonprofit and community leaders in a variety of formats. We believe these exchanges are critical to our ability to listen, learn, and respond. They help us understand community trends and assets, emerging problems, and potential solutions. By providing an opportunity for conversations that do not often occur in everyday life, convening community stakeholders frequently results in new ideas--ideas for how the Foundation can most effectively work with communities and how community organizations can most effectively work together.

Nonprofit Resource Specialists

The Foundation's recognition of the critical role nonprofit organizations play in community vitality led to our partnership with several Bremer Bank branch offices in 1999 to create a new bank position: the Nonprofit Resource Specialist. These bank employees help to strengthen nonprofit organizations by connecting them to funding sources, including the Otto Bremer Foundation and other funders, as well as to information and resources. Today, nine Bremer Bank locations employ Nonprofit Resources Specialists.