We continually seek to enrich our understanding of the communities that are homes and neighbors to Bremer banks.

Visits to communities, discussions with community members and our review of more than a thousand grant applications a year teach us a lot about local strengths, opportunities and needs. Sometimes what we learn highlights common concerns and leads to a grantmaking initiative in one or more communities.

This section highlights several current grantmaking initiatives and will provide additional information as new initiatives develop.

Addressing youth homelessness in the Twin Cities metro area

Grants totaling $4 million over three years are helping six organizations enhance safety and short-term stability for homeless youth and enable them to start on the path of healthy development. Funding is building additional capacity for street outreach to homeless youth, increasing the emergency shelter space available for youth and providing operating support for opportunity centers where homeless youth can find daytime support and connections to health, educational and employment opportunities. Read about youth homelessness. 

Building community capacity to support youth in Mankato

Four grants totaling up to $1 million are promoting positive youth development activities in Mankato, ensuring broad access to these activities by addressing financial and logistical barriers and encouraging community members to help build the financial capacity to address youth development into the future. The initiative is based on the belief that the community benefits when all youth have opportunities for participation and leadership. Read about promoting positive youth development in Mankato.

Strengthening the leadership of rural libraries and literacy organizations

Foundation funding of $388,540 is strengthening the leadership of rural libraries and literacy organizations in order to enhance the service these organizations provide to their communities. The initiative will offer training sessions on critical aspects of running a rural library or literacy organization, from budgeting and board development to strategic planning and cultural competency. In its first year of operation, L³: The Bremer Rural Libraries and Literacy Leadership Institute will focus on libraries and literacy organizations in Minnesota. Read about L³: The Bremer Rural Libraries and Literacy Leadership Institute.