In 2024, OBT contributed $79,797,586 through 881 grants and PRIs made to 789 organizations.
Grant & PRI Search2024 Report
to the Community
Honoring the spirit of our founder, Otto Bremer, and the direction given by the trust he created, OBT funds various organizations and programs vital to a community's future.
Our 2024 funding awards upheld our tradition of addressing the critical needs in our region and showcased our commitment to strengthening communities through strategic and targeted funding.
The Otto Bremer Trust’s evolution in 2024 was marked by thoughtful transformation in how we approach our mission to create positive change across Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Reflecting on 2024 — our 80th anniversary year — we are energized by our focused approaches to grantmaking for greater impact. Those approaches—direct strategic grants and working with intermediary organizations to implement the Otto Bremer Trust Community Responsive Fund—are the key pillars of our evolving vision for the future.
One of our primary focus areas in 2024 was improving access to healthcare across the region, and the following investments reflect our belief that health equity is foundational to thriving communities.
Native American Community Clinic
in Minneapolis, Minnesota, received a grant and program-related investment to expand its clinic and service offerings to enhance the health and wellness of mind, body, and spirit in American Indian families.
Lake Region Healthcare Foundation
in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, received a grant for capital to expand access to early breast cancer detection by upgrading mammography services in Fergus Falls and Elbow Lake.
Montana Children's Home & Hospital
in Helena, Montana, received a grant for a capital campaign to expand therapeutic resources for children and adolescents receiving psychiatric care in Montana.
Myally Health
in Grand Forks, North Dakota, received a grant for general operations to provide healthcare supplies and services on a sliding-fee scale for at-risk individuals.
La Clinica De Los Campesimos, Inc.
in Wautoma, Wisconsin, received a grant for general operations to provide integrated healthcare for low-income and uninsured individuals.
In all, we provided $18.5 million to organizations providing healthcare services across our four states, including physical, dental, mental health, and substance abuse services.
The following list highlights some of the other areas OBT funded in 2024:
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$19.4 million
in basic needs, including short-term assistance and housing
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$7.4 million
in community economic improvement and infrastructure
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$1.9 million
in early education and parenting
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$4.4 million
in support to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault
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$8.7 million
in programs that support youth, including adoption and foster care, mentoring, and mental health and substance abuse
For a complete list of grants and program-related investments awarded in 2024, visit Grant & PRI Search.
The year also marked significant milestones for OBT. We celebrated Charlotte Johnson’s 33 years of service as a co-CEO and trustee, and we are forever grateful for her invaluable work. We also welcomed Caroline Johnson as a new co-CEO and trustee and look forward to working with her for many years.
As we look toward 2025 and beyond, our path ahead is clear — focused investments and a steadfast commitment to improving opportunities and the lives of people across the region.
Minnesota
$53,476,444
Montana
$7,050,000
North Dakota
$4,019,115
Wisconsin
$15,252,027