Otto Bremer Trust awards 137 grants totaling $14.6 million

ST. PAUL, October 18, 2022 — The Otto Bremer Trust has awarded $14,608,759 in grants and program-related investments as part of its most recent grantmaking cycle.

“OBT is pleased to make critical investments in programs and organizations that are helping to meet a variety of challenges across Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin,” said Daniel Reardon, co-CEO and trustee, OBT.

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

A complete list of grants and program-related investments by region and state is included below.

Greater North Dakota

Abused Adult Resource Center, Bismarck, ND, $225,000. For general operations and capital support to provide support to victims of domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, and dating violence.

Custer Health, Mandan, ND, $70,000. To provide supportive services to individuals struggling with substance abuse and addiction and decrease the spread of infectious disease.

Dakota Children’s Advocacy Center, Bismarck, ND, $130,000. To provide investigative and intervention services for children and families who have experienced abuse, trauma, or victimization.

Dream Center Bismarck, Bismarck, ND, $40,000. To provide a centralized service center to support homeless and low-income individuals with daily meals and wrap-around services.

Good Samaritan Hospital Association, Rugby, ND, $350,000. To construct a new Heart of America Medical Center.

Northern Plains Children’s Advocacy Center, Minot, ND, $105,000. For general operations to provide justice and healing for children who are victims of sexual abuse and other crimes.

Project Bee, Minot, ND, $250,000. For general operations and capital support to provide drop-in services, emergency shelter, and rapid rehousing services for homeless women and families in Minot, North Dakota.

Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples, Inc., Arcata, CA, $50,000. To support Native-led community development, institution building, and self-determination for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.

Turtle Mountain Recovery Center Foundation, Belcourt, ND, $100,000. For general operations support to provide culturally responsive individual and family-focused substance abuse disorder treatment and aftercare services.

University of Mary, Bismarck, ND, $100,000. To renovate and expand simulation capacity to promote nursing graduate workforce readiness.

Red River Valley

Center of Human Environment, Mahnomen, MN, $60,000. For general operations to support vulnerable adults who suffer from chronic alcoholism, persistent mental illness, developmental delays, and substance abuse disorder.

Community Uplift Program, Fargo, ND, $40,000. For general operations to provide emergency assistance to prevent homelessness and provide rapid rehousing to displaced individuals and families.

Prairie Harvest Mental Health, Grand Forks, ND, $60,000. For general operations to provide permanent supportive housing and services for adults with mental health concerns in the greater Grand Forks area.

Rape and Abuse Crisis Center of Fargo-Moorhead, Fargo, ND, $150,000. For general operations to offer crisis intervention, advocacy, counseling, and education to individuals affected by sexual and domestic violence.

Trinity Lutheran Church, Moorhead, MN, $40,000. For captial support to provide infant and preschool care for young children and their families in the Red River Valley.

University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, $110,961. To provide coaching and wraparound support to American Indians nursing students from disadvantaged rural and tribal communities.

The Village Family Service Center, Fargo, ND, $35,000. To strengthen organizational capacity to provide therapy that remaps responses to traumatic events to patients in greater Minnesota.

Northern Minnesota

Friends of the Finland Community, Finland, MN, $30,000. For general operations to provide youth development, community, and food system solutions in Finland, Minnesota and the surrounding areas.

Mentor North, Duluth, MN, $20,000. For general operations to provide high-quality, community-based mentoring opportunities for at-risk youth, aged 7-17, living in Duluth, Minnesota, and Superior, Wisconsin.

Northwoods Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers, Bemidji, MN, $55,000. For general operations to offer wraparound services for the elderly, disabled persons, and their families in Lake of the Woods County, Red Lake, Leech Lake, White Earth and Bois Forte Nations.

Safe Haven Shelter for Battered Women, Duluth, MN, $225,000. For general operations and capital support to provide safety, shelter, advocacy, and empowerment for women, children, and all survivors of domestic violence in Duluth and the surrounding areas.

Support Within Reach, Grand Rapids, MN, $75,000. For general operations to provide support services to victims of sexual assault and prevent further sexual violence in northern Minnesota.

Central Minnesota

Anna Marie’s Alliance, Saint Cloud, MN, $80,000. For general operations to provide emergency shelter and comprehensive services to women and children experiencing domestic abuse and sexual assault.

Community & Life Services, Inc., Pelican Rapids, MN, $35,000. For general operations to provide family development services.

Ellison Center, Saint Cloud, MN, $40,000. To address unmet parenting, mental health, and support needs of isolated caregivers and their high-risk young children in the St. Cloud area.

Granite Falls Living At Home Block Nurse Program, Granite Falls, MN, $30,000. For general operations to provide services and programs for seniors and people with disabilities to live well and safely in their own homes.

Greater Fergus Falls Corporation, Fergus Falls, MN, $25,000. For general operations to support economic development through business expansion and technical assistance to early stage entrepreneurs in the Fergus Falls area.

Hands of Hope Resource Center, Inc., Little Falls, MN, $40,000. For general operations to support survivors of domestic and general violence in Todd and Morrison counties.

Someplace Safe, Fergus Falls, MN, $100,000. For general operations to provide critical safety and services to victims and survivors of crime and to their families and communities.

Twin Cities Metropolitan Area

African American Leadership Forum, Inc., St. Louis Park, MN, $85,000. For general operations to support African American leaders as they shape solutions to advance racial equity in the areas of education, employment, health, public safety, housing and economic growth.

AGAPE Child Development Center, Minneapolis, MN, $60,000. For general operations to provide a safe learning environment, crisis intervention, and wraparound services to empower children and families to move towards stability.

Urban Squash Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, $20,000. For general operations to provide academic and health and wellness programs for under-represented youth.

Breaking Free, Inc., Saint Paul, MN, $50,000. For general operations to provide shelter, basic needs, and supportive services for survivors of sex trafficking and exploitation.

Cedar Riverside People’s Center dba People’s Center Health Services, Minneapolis, MN, $525,000. For general operations and capital support to renovate a clinic providing physical, dental, and mental health services to economically challenged populations.

Como Park Living at Home Block Nurse Program, Saint Paul, MN, $10,000. For general operations to provide professional and volunteer assistance to enable elders to remain in their homes and community with optimal independence, safety, and wellness in St. Paul.

DARTS, West Saint Paul, MN, $35,000. For general operations to provide services to older adults and their caregivers living in and near Dakota County, Minnesota.

Division of Indian Work, Minneapolis, MN, $90,000. For general operations to provide basic needs, wraparound support, and youth and leadership development to urban Native Americans in Minneapolis.

East Side Elders, Saint Paul, MN, $20,000. For general operations to help seniors living on the east side of St. Paul remain in their homes with safety, independence, and dignity.

East Side Freedom Library, Saint Paul, MN, $40,000. For general operations to promote literacy and community engagement in east St. Paul, Minnesota.

Elpis Enterprises, Saint Paul, MN, $33,000. For general operations to provide employment readiness training to young people experiencing homelessness or unstable housing.

Family Tree, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, $80,000. For general operations to provide sexual health care and education to communities experiencing the greatest health disparities.

Hope Community, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, $80,000. For general operations to provide safe, affordable housing; community spaces; and skill-building and leadership opportunities for all ages.

Hunger Solutions Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, $60,000. For general operations to support programs and agencies that provide food to those in need.

Inquilinxs Unidxs por Justicia, Minneapolis, MN, $50,000. For general operations to provide support for tenants’ rights to live in safe and dignified housing.

Rainbow Health Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, $60,000. For general operations to provide comprehensive support for Minnesotans who are HIV-positive and/or part of the LGBTQ+ community.

Latino Economic Development Center, Saint Paul, MN, $450,000. For general operations to create economic opportunity for Latinos in Minnesota through small business development, technical assistance, lending, and educational opportunities and for capital support for the redevelopment of Plaza del Sol in St. Paul.

Little Earth Residents Association, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, $65,000. For general operations to address behavioral health and promote self-sufficiency through culturally relevant programming and supportive services for Little Earth families.

Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers, Minneapolis, MN, $75,000. To support development and implementation of worker-owned businesses and shared ownership structures.

Mind the G.A.P.P., Minnetonka, MN, $45,000. For general operations to provide credentialed Commercial Driver?s License training, job placement-career development, financial literacy, and support services to African Americans in the west metro.

The Minneapolis Foundation, Minneapolis, MN, $40,000. To support the Northside Funders Group, a funder collaborative that leverages learning and investments to advance social, educational, and economic opportunities in North Minneapolis.

Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center, Minneapolis, MN, $100,000. For general operations to provide culturally grounded case management, wrap-around support services for urban Native American women and families.

Minnesota Indigenous Business Alliance, Saint Paul, MN, $25,000. For general operations to provide native entrepreneurial support and increase opportunities.

Minnesota One-Stop for Communities, Saint Paul, MN, $35,000. For general operations to provide one-to-one mentoring and supportive housing for families involved in the child protection system.

Minnesota Social Impact Center, Minneapolis, MN, $15,000. To provide social impact entrepreneurship internship opportunities for college students by connecting them with social impact-focused entrepreneurs.

Model Cities of St. Paul, Inc., Saint Paul, MN, $60,000. For general operations to increase economic opportunity, create and sustain community developments, and promote healthy, vibrant communities.

myHealth for Teens & Young Adults, Hopkins, MN, $45,000. For general operations to provide healthcare, counseling, and education services for adolescents and young adults aged 12-26.

Northside Boxing Club, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, $40,000. For general operating support to provide after-school programming to youth of the Folwell Neighborhood of North Minneapolis that combines fitness, nutrition education, mentoring, and academic enrichment.

Oasis for Youth, Minneapolis, MN, $60,000. For general operations to provide outreach, case management, and support services for youth experiencing homelessness in the south metro.

People for PSEO, Saint Paul, MN, $5,000. For general operations to expand opportunities for high school students through the Minnesota PSEO program.

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Burnsville, MN, $25,000. To support ongoing oral care and education services to uninsured and under-insured people in Dakota County and surrounding communities.

Reach Out and Read Minnesota, Bloomington, MN, $55,000. For general operations to support early literacy among young children and their families through pediatric providers across Minnesota.

Ready Set Smile, PA, Minneapolis, MN, $65,000. For general operations to provide portable dental clinics and oral health education on-site at early childhood education centers and elementary/middle schools that enroll high percentages of low-income children.

SEWA-AIFW, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, $35,000. For general operations to support the health of South Asians in the Twin Cities.

Sexual Violence Center, Minneapolis, MN, $43,000. For general operations to provide advocacy and support services to individuals impacted by sexual violence.

Smart North, Minneapolis, MN, $15,000. To drive digital equity and access to the 21st-century digital economy for Minnesota?s underserved and BIPOC youth and communities in the Deer River location.

Theresa Living Center, Saint Paul, MN, $70,000. For general operations to provide transitional housing and support for individuals and families exiting out of homelessness.

Urban Ventures Leadership Foundation, Minneapolis, MN, $60,000. For general operations to support youth and educational development for children, birth through post-secondary, as well as wraparound support to their families and community in south Minneapolis.

Vineyard Community Services, Saint Paul, MN, $25,000. For general operations to address food insecurity on the east side of St. Paul and surrounding communities.

Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People, Bloomington, MN, $65,000. For general operations to provide access to healthy foods, housing stability, and supportive services in southwest Hennepin County.

Wellspring Second Chance Center, Minneapolis, MN, $40,000. For general operations to provide basic needs, mental health support, diversion programming, and support to justice involved individuals and survivors of violence.

Wildflyer Coffee, Minneapolis, MN, $60,000. For general operations to provide work and life skills training for youth aged 16-24 who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability.

Southern Minnesota

Aging Services for Communities, Montgomery, MN, $50,000. For general operations to provide homemaking and transportation to enable seniors and disabled persons to remain in their own homes.

Bethlehem Inn of Waseca, Waseca, MN, $20,000. For general operations to provide safe and temporary housing for homeless women and children in Waseca County.

Committee Against Domestic Abuse, Inc., Mankato, MN, $105,000. For general operations to provide safety and support for victims of domestic and sexual violence through education, advocacy, and shelter in southern Minnesota.

Hometown Resource Center, Saint Charles, MN, $20,000. To renovate the food shelf to improve and sustain food distribution in St. Charles, Minnesota.

Hospice of Murray County, Inc., Slayton, MN, $25,000. For equipment to provide compassionate hospice care for terminally ill patients.

Minnesota State University, Mankato, Mankato, MN, $22,000. To provide literacy, recreation, and social-emotional well-being to youth in southern Minnesota.

Southeastern Minnesota Private Industry Council, Inc. dba Workforce Development, Inc., Rochester, MN, $100,000. To provide academic and wraparound supports for disadvantaged populations to pursue in-demand career pathways.

Three Rivers Community Action, Inc., Zumbrota, MN, $65,000. To close the homeownership gap by providing culturally-tailored financial literacy, coaching, and homebuyer education in southern Minnesota.

Winona Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Winona, MN, $70,000. To prepare high school students to be employment-ready for high-demand careers in the greater Winona area.

Minnesota Statewide

The Advocates for Human Rights, Minneapolis, MN, $110,000. To expand and protect access to justice by providing legal representation for asylum seekers, trafficking victims, and others in the Upper Midwest.

Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Association, Minneapolis, MN, $60,000. To raise dementia awareness and provide Alzheimer’s education and support services for diverse communities in Minnesota.

Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, Saint Paul, MN, $30,000. For membership to support the Minnesota Compass Collaborative.

Community Reinvestment Fund, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, $5,000,000 (program-related investment). To support a small business lending initiative designed to bring flexible capital and support resources to underinvested communities across Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Economic Club of Minnesota, Plymouth, MN, $9,500. To support membership of this organization that will show how Minnesota can better compete in the global economy and most effectively provide world leadership on economic and strategic issues.

Native Governance Center, Minneapolis, MN, $75,000. For general operations to assist Native nations in strengthening their governance systems and capacity to exercise sovereignty.

Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest, Minneapolis, MN, $65,000. For general operations to provide a home away from home and a place of respite for families dealing with a child’s serious illness, injury, or disability.

Western Montana

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Montana, Helena, MT, $40,000. For general operations to create and support one-to-one youth mentoring relationships in central Montana.

Big Brothers Big Sisters NW Montana, Kalispell, MT, $35,000. For general operations to support youth through facilitated one-to-one mentoring in northwest Montana.

Families First, Missoula, MT, $20,000. For general operations to strengthen families in western Montana through education, connection, play, and partnership.

Montana Children’s Home & Hospital dba Shodair Children?s Hospital, Helena, MT, $250,000. To construct a new hospital to provide pediatric and adolescent mental and behavioral health services.

YWCA Missoula, Missoula, MT, $80,000. For general operations to provide shelter and wraparound services for survivors of domestic violence and families experiencing homelessness in Missoula, Montana.

Central Montana

Big Sky Youth Empowerment Project, Inc., Bozeman, MT, $25,000. For general operations to provide youth development, mentoring, and tutoring to youth in south-central Montana.

Cancer Support Community Montana, Bozeman, MT, $50,000. For general operations to provide support, education and wellness for people impacted by cancer and their families.

FAST Blackfeet, Browning, MT, $45,000. For general operations to address food insecurity, improve healthy food access, provide nutrition education, and increase food sovereignty for reservation citizens.

Livingston Food Pantry of Park County, Livingston, MT, $55,000. For general operations to serve low-income individuals and families experiencing food insecurity, poor nutrition, and increased risk for chronic health issues.

Eastern Montana

Community Leadership & Development, Inc., Billings, MT, $250,000. To support a capital campaign to develop quality, safe, affordable housing for low-income and underserved individuals, working poor families, and older persons.

Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT), Inc., Billings, MT, $60,000. For general operations to support people with disabilities to live independently through education, support, and opportunities.

Roundup Memorial Hospital Association, Roundup, MT, $65,000. For the purchase of medical equipment critical for identification, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases and fetal well-being.

Southeast Montana Area Revitalization Team, Inc., Baker, MT, $10,000. For general operations to promote and encourage small business development, community planning, and affordable housing.

Montana Statewide

Alzheimer’s Association Montana, Billings, MT, $25,000. To raise Alzheimer’s and dementia awareness, education, resources, and support within rural communities in Montana.

American Red Cross of Montana, Great Falls, MT, $250,000. For the renovation of facilities to collect, process, and distribute donated blood and respond to disasters.

Smiles Across Montana, Bozeman, MT, $40,000. For general operations to improve oral health outcomes through equitable, affordable and quality preventative and restorative dental care and education.

Northwest Wisconsin

Chippewa Valley Health Clinic, Inc. dba Chippewa Valley Free Clinic, Eau Claire, WI, $45,000. For general operations to provide comprehensive health care to under-insured and uninsured low-income adults.

Our Neighbors’ Place, Inc., River Falls, WI, $35,000. For general operations to provide comprehensive housing services and case management to homeless and at-risk families.

St. Croix Valley Restorative Services, Inc., River Falls, WI, $20,000. For general operations to provide restorative justice and mental health services to youth and their families in western Wisconsin.

Spring Valley Seniors Staying Put, Inc, Spring Valley, WI, $10,000. For general operations to coordinate volunteers to help seniors and adults with disabilities to maintain their independence at home.

St. Croix Therapy, Inc., Hudson, WI, $10,000. To address social isolation and mental health concerns for kids with disabilities and their families by providing social connections and community activities.

St. Croix Valley Food Bank, Hudson, WI, $100,000. For general operations to end hunger in western Wisconsin by sourcing and delivering food to pantries, backpack programs, and shelters and operating a mobile pop-up pantry.

Stepping Stones of Dunn County, Inc., Menomonie, WI, $70,000. For general operations to provide food, shelter, and community resources to support Dunn County residents living in poverty.

Turningpoint for Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence, Inc., River Falls, WI, $70,000. For general operations to serve victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence in western Wisconsin.

Workforce Resource, Inc., Menomonie, WI, $28,000. To provide smartphones and data cards to help clients complete online workforce training and secure employment.

North-Central Wisconsin

Marshfield Clinic Health System Foundation, Marshfield, WI, $100,000. To prevent suicide and improve mental health in rural Wisconsin.

Northeast Wisconsin

Ascend Services, Inc., Manitowoc, WI, $73,000. To renovate a building to expand services for youth with disabilities.

Big Brothers Big Sisters WI Shoreline, Inc., Sheboygan, WI, $50,000. For general operations to support youth through one-to-one mentoring.

Northeast Wisconsin Hmong Professionals, Inc., Appleton, WI, $25,000. For general operations to support economic development, education, and health in northeast Wisconsin.

Oshkosh Area Community Pantry, Inc., Oshkosh, WI, $60,000. For general operations to eliminate food insecurity in Southern Winnebago County.

Rehabilitation House, Inc., Neenah, WI, $25,000. For general operations to provide transitional living support to adults with persistent mental illness and those with a dual diagnosis of alcohol or other drug abuse.

Safe Harbor of Sheboygan County, Inc., Sheboygan, WI, $60,000. For general operations to provide services and programs for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Sheboygan County Interfaith Organization, Inc., Sheboygan, WI, $30,000. For general operations to improve the life for all people by bridging gaps between community needs and partner resources.

Southwest Wisconsin

Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Wisconsin, Inc., Tomah, WI, $75,000. For general operations to provide opportunities for youth to learn and grow through programs focused on academic success, healthy lifestyles, and leadership.

Girl Scouts of Wisconsin – Badgerland Council, Inc., Madison, WI, $45,000. To provide opportunities for skill and leadership development to help girls in southern Wisconsin prepare for future success.

Habitat for Humanity of Dane County, Inc., Madison, WI, $60,000. For general operations to help low-income families achieve and maintain housing stability by building new homes and making repairs on current homes.

Madison Area Care for the Homeless – MACH OneHealth, Madison, WI, $40,000. For general operations to provide medical care and housing support to people experiencing homelessness in Madison, Wisconsin.

RISE Wisconsin, Inc., Madison, WI, $75,000. For general operations to advance the wellness of children, individuals, and families by proving early childhood and mental health services in Dane County.

Urban League of Greater Madison, Inc., Madison, WI, $250,000. To construct the Black Business Hub & Accelerator to eliminate generational wealth disparities through small business development and entrepreneurship.

Southeast Wisconsin

ArtWorks for Milwaukee, Inc., Milwaukee, WI, $15,000. To offer teens paid internships which combine creative expression and career readiness training to raise awareness of youth mental health.

Boys & Girls Club of Washington County, Inc., West Bend, WI, $50,000. For general operations to provide youth development and enrichment for at-risk youth.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, $70,000. For general operations to provide academic and life skills support, early intervention, and developmental activities to ensure youth are prepared for successful futures.

Dominican Center for Women, Inc., Milwaukee, WI, $35,000. For general operations to foster and support resident engagement and community capacity building for neighborhood revitalization.

The Gathering Source, Inc., Juneau, WI, $10,000. For general operations to address food insecurity for rural area neighbors.

Hebron House of Hospitality, Inc., Pewaukee, WI, $69,298. For general operations and security technology to assist unhoused individuals and families with emergency, short-term and long-term housing solutions, and supportive programs and case management services.

Layton Boulevard West Neighbors, Inc. dba VIA CDC, Milwaukee, WI, $40,000. For general operations to build strong, healthy Milwaukee neighborhoods through culturally responsive housing, economic development, and grassroots leadership development.

Pathfinders Milwaukee, Inc., Milwaukee, WI, $50,000. For general operations to provide services and programs for youth experiencing homelessness.

Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers, Inc, Milwaukee, WI, $100,000. For general operations to provide quality, patient-centered, family-based health care, health education, and social services.

Waukesha Free Clinic, Inc., Waukesha, WI, $50,000. For general operations to support and improve the health and wellbeing of the uninsured, low-income, and homeless communities of Waukesha County.

Wisconsin Statewide

Alzheimer’s Association, Milwaukee, WI, $50,000. To raise Alzheimer’s and dementia awareness, education, resources, and support within diverse communities in Wisconsin.

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