Otto Bremer Trust awards $12.7 million in 117 grants and program-related investments in June and July

SAINT PAUL, August 15, 2024 — The Otto Bremer Trust awarded $12,678,000 in grants and program-related investments in June and July 2024.

“Many organizations in our region are doing important work and meeting the critical needs of their communities,” said Daniel Reardon, co-CEO and trustee, OBT. “We are honored to continue to carry out Otto Bremer’s mission by supporting these worthy causes.”

The Otto Bremer Trust is a private charitable trust based in St. Paul, Minn. Created in 1944 by business and community leader Otto Bremer, it is committed to supporting an enhanced quality of life for residents of Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. Since its founding, OBT has invested more than $1 billion in its region’s people, places, and opportunities.

State totals for grants and program-related investments awarded in June and July include:

• Minnesota: $9,183,000
• Montana: $1,005,000
• North Dakota: $440,000
• Wisconsin: $2,050,000

A complete list of grants and PRIs by region and state appears below.

Greater North Dakota

Family Crisis Shelter, Inc., Williston, ND, $25,000. For general operations to provide safe shelter, advocacy, counseling, referrals, and support to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and trafficking in Williams, Divide, and McKenzie Counties in North Dakota.

Legal Services of North Dakota, Bismarck, ND, $100,000. For general operations to provide civil legal services and lead a medical-legal collaboration in North Dakota.

Missouri Slope Areawide United Way, Bismarck, ND, $100,000. For general operations to provide emergency shelter and onsite wraparound services to help individuals and families out of homelessness.

Mountain Plains Youth Services, Bismarck, ND, $135,000. For general operations to support homeless, runaway, trafficked, and at-risk youth and young adults and provide youth development and leadership programs throughout North Dakota.

Safe Alternatives for Abused Families, Devils Lake, ND, $80,000. For general operations to provide housing, supportive services, and childcare to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in the Devil Lakes area.

Red River Valley

Care and Share of Crookston, Inc., Crookston, MN, $50,000. For general operations to provide basic needs, food, and shelter to low-income residents in northwestern Minnesota.

The Lotus Center, Inc., Moorhead, MN, $40,000. For general operations to provide harm reduction recovery services and affordable housing for individuals struggling with substance abuse disorder in the Fargo-Moorhead area.

Minnesota Statewide

Charities Review Council of Minnesota, Inc., Roseville, MN, $35,000. For general operations to strengthen donor and nonprofit relationships through accountability standards and capacity-building activities throughout Minnesota.

College Possible, Saint Paul, MN, $200,000. To support low-income youth across Minnesota to gain access to college enrollment and succeed in college.

Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, Washington, DC, $16,000. For membership renewal to help grantees achieve meaningful results and promote strategies and practices that contribute to grantee success.

Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, Inc., Saint Paul, MN, $60,000. For general operations to strengthen the nonprofit sector through leadership skills training, organizational capacity building, and analysis of issues relevant to the sector in Minnesota.

The Salvation Army, Northern Division, Roseville, MN, $500,000. To provide basic needs support and increase stability through the Pathway of Hope initiative and Emergency Social Services in Minnesota and North Dakota.

University of Minnesota Foundation, Minneapolis, MN, $100,000. To support scholarships for undergraduate students enrolled in the Health Profession Pathways program.

Northern Minnesota

Center City Housing Corporation, Duluth, MN, $35,000. To provide stable, safe housing for families experiencing homelessness and offer supportive services to address underlying issues and barriers.

Lighthouse Center for Vital Living, Duluth, MN, $30,000. For general operations to provide adaptive technology, training, and supportive services to individuals with disabilities.

Central Minnesota

Boys & Girls Club of Detroit Lakes, Inc., Detroit Lakes, MN, $80,000. For general operations to provide out-of-school-time programming for youth to develop essential skills and lasting connections in Perham.

Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity, Saint Cloud, MN, $50,000. For general operations to develop and preserve affordable housing in central Minnesota.

Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin Lakes and Pines, Waite Park, MN, $55,000. For general operations to provide leadership development opportunities and programs for girls residing in our northern Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Twin Cities Metropolitan Area

African Career Education & Resources, Minneapolis, MN, $40,000. For general operations to engage, educate, and support immigrant communities to advance equitable housing and economic opportunities in the Twin Cities.

Al-Maa’uun, Minneapolis, MN, $37,000. For general operations to provide food, employment services, recovery support, and housing programs.

Allina Health Foundation, Minneapolis, MN, $50,000. To provide holistic services to increase self-sufficiency for people with disabilities through individualized vocational support and independent living skills development.

Ann Bancroft Foundation, Saint Paul, MN, $50,000. For general operations to support young women and girls through mentorship and leadership development.

Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative, Saint Paul, MN, $50,000. For general operations to create and maintain affordable and supportive housing in the Twin Cities.

Northern Star Council, Boy Scouts of America, Saint Paul, MN, $15,000. To support youth through Scouting in afterschool programs.

CLUES, Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio, Saint Paul, MN, $75,000. To advance economic equity for low-income Latinos and immigrants through culturally responsive prosperity-building initiatives.

CommonBond Communities, Saint Paul, MN, $125,000. For general operations to provide safe, stable housing and case management services for low-income residents, including individuals, families, seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, and community members.

Conservation Corps dba Conservation Corps Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, $30,000. To engage underserved youth in conservation service-learning while preparing them for college and career success.

Cookie Cart, Minneapolis, MN, $75,000. For general operations to provide teens from north Minneapolis and east St. Paul with employment, life skills, and leadership training.

Cornerstone Advocacy Service, Bloomington, MN, $50,000. For general operations to provide trauma-informed services to increase safety, financial stability, and financial capability for survivors of interpersonal violence and their children.

Domestic Abuse Project, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, $30,000. For general operations to provide advocacy, therapy, and case management for families experiencing domestic violence to end the cycle of abuse.

Eastside Meals on Wheels, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, $30,000. For general operations to provide nutritious meals to home-bound people in northeast and southeast Minneapolis and adjacent suburbs.

Exodus Financial Services, Saint Paul, MN, $30,000. For general operations to provide interest-free refinancing of payday loans and other predatory debt for Minnesotans.

The Food Group, Inc., New Hope, MN, $100,000. For general operations to provide accessible food support, agricultural education, and advocacy for diverse communities in Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library, Saint Paul, MN, $900,000. To support capital investments in the Saint Paul Public Library, including the renovation and rebuilding of three library locations, the creation of technology-rich spaces, and updated places for families to play and learn in all library locations.

Goodwill Industries, Inc., Saint Paul, MN, $80,000. To support individuals returning to the community after incarceration through highly individualized career readiness, professional exploration, family strengthening, and job placement activities.

Hamm Memorial Psychiatric Clinic, Saint Paul, MN, $70,000. For general operations to provide affordable, culturally responsive mental health care to underserved Twin Cities residents and to train the next generation of mental health providers.

Hennepin Health Foundation, Minneapolis, MN, $65,000. To address patient food insecurity through immediate food support and connection to community-based resources.

Hmong Cultural Center of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, $45,000. For general operations to support English and Citizenship classes for immigrants and refugees.

Intercongregation Communities Association, Hopkins, MN, $70,000. For general operations to provide food, housing assistance, and employment support for people in the western Twin Cities.

Interfaith Action of Greater Saint Paul, Saint Paul, MN, $50,000. For general operations to provide family shelter, basic needs, employment programming, youth development, legal assistance, and wraparound services to low-income families and individuals in St. Paul.

Karen Organization of Minnesota, Roseville, MN, $60,000. For general operations to help refugees and immigrants increase economic stability, educational achievement, and social well-being.

Lake Street Council, Minneapolis, MN, $25,000. For general operations to support the long-term success of small, BIPOC-led businesses along Minneapolis’s Lake Street corridor.

Land Bank Twin Cities, Inc., Saint Paul, MN, $75,000. For general operations to support strategic real estate opportunities to benefit BIPOC and low-income communities.

Land Stewardship Project, Minneapolis, MN, $100,000. To build prosperous rural economies by increasing opportunities to transfer land to beginning farmers, supporting farmers in launching sustainable businesses, and driving participation in local food systems.

LegalCorps, Minneapolis, MN, $30,000. For general operations to provide individuals and organizations with business law services they could not otherwise afford and promote economic development to stabilize communities.

Migizi Communications, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, $75,000. For general operations to nurture the educational, social, economic, and cultural development of American Indian youth.

Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless, Inc., Saint Paul, MN, $75,000. For general operations to address homelessness and advance housing stability in Minnesota.

Minnesota Jewish Community Center, Saint Paul, MN, $50,000. To provide supportive services to help older adults and individuals with disabilities thrive and engage youth development.

Missions Inc. Programs, Minneapolis, MN, $30,000. For general operations to provide housing and support services to individuals recovering from domestic abuse and substance use disorder.

Northcountry Cooperative Foundation, Saint Paul, MN, $90,000. For general operations to advance affordable homeownership through cooperative enterprise in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Open Arms of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, $90,000. For general operations to decrease food insecurity among vulnerable low-income individuals with serious illnesses.

OutFront Minnesota Community Services, Saint Paul, MN, $10,000. To provide direct services for LGBTQ+ survivors of violence and create safe and inclusive school environments for youth in Minnesota.

Page Education Foundation, Minneapolis, MN, $125,000. For general operations to assist Minnesota students of color pursue and achieve success through post-secondary education and service to their communities.

People Reaching Out to Other People, Eden Prairie, MN, $30,000. For general operations to provide hunger prevention programs, emergency financial assistance, wraparound services, and holistic case management to support diverse residents of Eden Prairie and surrounding communities on a path toward self-sufficiency.

Philanthrofund Foundation, Minneapolis, MN, $65,000. For general operations to support LGBTQ+ communities by providing grants and scholarships, developing leaders, and inspiring giving across Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Ramsey County Children’s Mental Health Collaborative, Saint Paul, MN, $55,000. For general operations to provide flexible, culturally affirming, and collaborative mental health intervention and support for families.

St. David’s Center, Minnetonka, MN, $1,000,000. For capital support of an expansion to increase access to children’s mental health services, autism treatment, and pediatric therapies.

St. David’s Center, Minnetonka, MN, $2,500,000 (program-related investment). To purchase a building to be used as a state-of-the-art early intervention center in downtown Minneapolis.

Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, Saint Paul, MN, $60,000. For general operations to provide and integrate services in English language education and transitional housing support for immigrants and refugees.

Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, Inc., Saint Paul, MN, $50,000. To improve health outcomes for low-income persons through clinic-based access to legal assistance.

Southside Community Health Services, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, $85,000. To provide affordable access to high-quality and culturally responsive primary medical, dental, vision, and behavioral health care to underserved populations in south Minneapolis.

Tasks Unlimited, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, $50,000. For general operations to expand employment, mental health, and housing services for adults with severe mental illness.

Touchstone Mental Health, Minneapolis, MN, $100,000. For capital to stabilize and improve intensive residential mental health treatment services for adults in Anoka County.

Urban Homeworks, Minneapolis, MN, $100,000. For general operations to create and strengthen the pathway from housing instability to homeownership for BIPOC households.

Wallin Education Partners, Saint Paul, MN, $250,000. To ensure college and career success for high-potential students from low-income backgrounds and to help build diverse, equitable, and vibrant communities.

Southern Minnesota

Bear Creek Services, Rochester, MN, $80,000. For general operations to increase independence and maximize the potential of people with developmental disabilities or traumatic brain injuries.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Minnesota, Owatonna, MN, $80,000. For general operations to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.

Elder Network, Rochester, MN, $60,000. For general operations to provide care, support, and connection for seniors and their caregivers in Olmsted and Winona Counties.

Faribault Public School District 656, Faribault, MN, $40,000. To provide basic education and career pathway support for adult learners in Faribault.

Feeding Our Communities Partners, North Mankato, MN, $50,000. For general operations to provide supplemental food to children in grades K-12 experiencing food insecurity in south-central Minnesota.

Habitat for Humanity of South Central Minnesota, Mankato, MN, $50,000. For general operations to increase homeownership opportunities for low- to moderate-income families and empower low-income seniors to age in place in southern Minnesota.

NAMI Southeast Minnesota, Rochester, MN, $55,000. For general operations to improve the mental health of individuals and families across southeast Minnesota.

Open Door Health Center, Mankato, MN, $125,000. For general operations to expand medical, behavioral, and oral health services to improve individuals’ quality of life.

Red Wing Family YMCA, Red Wing, MN, $50,000. For generational operations to provide health and wellness programming for youth and adults in southeast Minnesota.

Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership, Slayton, MN, $25,000. To support the expansion of a Community Land Trust model in Mankato to close the affordable housing and homeownership gap for BIPOC families.

Two Rivers Habitat for Humanity, Rochester, MN, $70,000. For general operations to increase affordable homeownership for families and to provide repairs to enable elders to live independently in their homes in southeast Minnesota.

Montana Statewide

AWARE, Anaconda, MT, $100,000. For general operations to provide direct and community-based care for children, adults, and families with mental health and developmental disability needs in Montana.

Education Design Lab, Washington, DC, $75,000. To build the capacity of Montana’s two-year colleges to serve as economic growth engines and regional talent suppliers.

Western Montana

Butte Rescue Mission, Butte, MT, $100,000. For a capital campaign to expand overnight shelter, increase food access, and create space for community partners to deliver on-site services.

Helena Food Share, Inc., Helena, MT, $40,000. For general operations to provide food and eliminate hunger in the greater Helena area.

Montana Meth Project, Missoula, MT, $25,000. For general operations to reduce first-time teen methamphetamine and fentanyl use in Montana through educational outreach and public service messaging.

The Poverello Center, Inc., Missoula, MT, $65,000. For general operations to provide shelter, food, clothing, and other wrap-around services to people facing homelessness.

The Poverello Center, Inc., Missoula, MT, $250,000. For capital support of The Clark Fork Inn transitional housing project.

SAFE Harbor, Inc., Ronan, MT, $20,000. For general operations to provide services for victims of violence in northwest Montana.

Central Montana

HELP Committee and Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line, Havre, MT, $55,000. For general operations to provide youth development opportunities in Havre, Montana.

Gallatin Valley Foundation for Economic Development, Bozeman, MT, $30,000. For general operations to provide access to capital, business advising and trainings, community development, and peer business networking.

Greater Gallatin United Way, Bozeman, MT, $60,000. For general operations to implement a community impact model to effectively address community needs and leverage local giving.

Human Resource Development Council of District IX, Inc. (HRDC), Bozeman, MT, $100,000. To support a capital campaign to construct a purpose-built, low-barrier, year-round shelter for homeless families.

Eastern Montana

Boys & Girls Club of Yellowstone County, Billings, MT, $85,000. For general operations to provide youth development programming in Yellowstone County, Montana.

Wisconsin Statewide

Embolden WI, Inc., Madison, WI, $75,000. To improve adolescent health alongside and in partnership with Wisconsin youth through engagement, education, and empowerment.

Farm Rescue, Horace, ND, $60,000. To assist farm and ranch families experiencing a crisis by providing volunteer planting, harvesting, haying, livestock feeding, and other services in Wisconsin.

NAMI Wisconsin, Inc., Madison, WI, $35,000. For general operations to improve the quality of life of people affected by mental illness.

Nurse-Family Partnership, Denver, CO, $100,000. To provide a nurse home visiting program that provides parent education and support to first-time, at-risk mothers facing socioeconomic barriers.

Northwest Wisconsin

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Wisconsin, Eau Claire, WI, $70,000. For general operations to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships for youth.

Center Against Sexual & Domestic Abuse, Inc., Superior, WI, $35,000. To provide legal services in Douglas, Bayfield, and Ashland Counties to low-income individuals and families victimized by domestic violence, sexual assault, or child abuse.

The Lakes Community Health Center dba NorthLakes Community Clinic, Iron River, WI, $100,000. To provide behavioral, dental, and medical health care, recovery services, and patient support for underserved people in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity, Hudson, WI, $35,000. For general operations to increase access to safe, affordable housing in western Wisconsin.

United Way St. Croix Valley, Hudson, WI, $40,000. To support and expand healthy early childhood development that advances school readiness in western Wisconsin.

North-Central Wisconsin

Domestic Abuse Support Center of Shawano County, Inc. dba Safe Haven, Shawano, WI, $40,000. For general operations to provide shelter, advocacy, and support to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

The Young Men’s Christian Association of Steven’s Point, Wisconsin Area, Inc., Stevens Point, WI, $300,000. For support of a capital campaign to construct a new facility in Wautoma.

Wisconsin Judicare, Inc. dba Judicare Legal Aid, Wausau, WI, $50,000. For general operations to provide critical civil legal services to empower low-income Wisconsinites to achieve stability and safety.

Northeast Wisconsin

Boys and Girls Clubs of the Bay and Lakes Region, Inc., Green Bay, WI, $135,000. For general operations to provide youth development programming in the region including Green Bay, Shawano, and Door County.

Family & Childcare Resources of Northeast Wisconsin, Green Bay, WI, $25,000. For general operations to support healthy child development by providing high-quality education, programs, and support to families and early childhood professionals.

SOAR Fox Cities, Appleton, WI, $20,000. For general operations to provide educational, social, and supportive services to youth and adults with developmental disabilities or traumatic brain injuries and their families.

Southwest Wisconsin

Badger Prairie Needs Network, Inc., Verona, WI, $200,000. For a capital campaign to expand and renovate a facility to provide basic needs to individuals and families struggling with food insecurity, language barriers, and poverty.

FairShare CSA Coalition, Inc., Madison, WI, $30,000. To increase access to fresh food for individuals and families of limited income in southern Wisconsin.

Family & Children’s Center, La Crosse, WI, $55,000. For general operations to support children, families, and individuals with a continuum of services designed to strengthen families and promote individual well-being.

Family Service Madison, Inc., Madison, WI, $45,000. For general operations to provide behavioral health services for people recovering from traumatic situations, domestic violence, neglect, and abuse.

Literacy Network, Inc., Madison, WI, $85,000. For general operations to provide literacy skills development, English language classes, citizenship preparation, and high school equivalency credentials for adults in Dane County.

More Smiles Wisconsin Inc., Madison, WI, $50,000. For general operations to provide access to dental care for low-income individuals, uninsured persons, and Medicaid recipients residing in south-central Wisconsin.

Seniors United for Nutrition, Dodgeville, WI, $10,000. For general operations to help seniors maintain health and independence by providing nutritious home-delivered and group meals, inclusive programming, and opportunities for fellowship and engagement.

Wisconsin Early Childhood Association, Inc., Madison, WI, $100,000. For general operations to stabilize and expand quality child care and early education in Wisconsin.

Young Men’s Christian Association of Dane County, Inc., Madison, WI, $25,000. For general operations to provide healthy living and youth development programs in the Dane County area.

Southeast Wisconsin

Family Promise of Washington County, Inc., West Bend, WI, $30,000. For general operations to provide resources and services that prevent and end homelessness for individuals and families in Washington County, Wisconsin.

Literacy Services of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, $100,000. For a capital campaign to create an adult education hub in southeast Wisconsin.

Meta House, Inc., Milwaukee, WI, $100,000. For a capital campaign to build a new treatment campus that will expand substance use disorder treatment beds for women in Wisconsin.

Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity, Milwaukee, WI, $100,000. For general operations to provide safe, affordable housing for low- to moderate-income families in Milwaukee neighborhoods.

# # #