Otto Bremer Trust awards $12.4 million in grants and program-related investments

SAINT PAUL, October 1, 2025 — The Otto Bremer Trust awarded $12,445,000 in grants and program-related investments from May through August 2025.

“The Otto Bremer Trust continues to fulfill its mission by investing in the impactful work of these organizations,” said Caroline S. Johnson, co CEO and trustee, OBT. “They are committed to providing services that help meet basic needs, create economic opportunities, and support health and wellness.”

A list of grants and PRIs awarded by region appears below.

The Otto Bremer Trust is a private charitable trust based in St. Paul, Minnesota. 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.

Red River Valley

North Country Food Bank, Inc., East Grand Forks, MN, $150,000. To support the distribution of food to assist families experiencing food insecurity.

TNT Kid’s Fitness, Fargo, ND, $100,000. To provide enrichment and recreational opportunities for individuals with special needs.

Minnesota Statewide

Community of Recovering People, Inc. dba The Retreat, Wayzata, MN, $250,000. To provide residential and evening programs, services, coaching, education, sober living, and community/social activities that help those impacted by substance use disorder find full and meaningful lives in recovery.

Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, Washington, DC, $20,000. For membership renewal to help grantees achieve meaningful results and promote strategies and practices that contribute to grantee success.

Northern Minnesota

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northland, Duluth, MN, $100,000. To provide meals, academic support, mental health services, and mentorship to young people in northern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin.

YMCA of the Northern Sky, Fargo, ND, $500,000. To support a capital campaign to construct a new YMCA facility to serve families in Bemidji, Minnesota.

Central Minnesota

New Pathways, Inc., Cambridge, MN, $300,000. For a capital campaign to construct a new shelter to support families on a path towards stability.

St. Cloud Area Family YMCA, Saint Cloud, MN, $300,000. For operating expenses and completing a capital campaign to provide additional space and program offerings.

Twin Cities Metropolitan Area

American National Red Cross – Minnesota Chapter, Minneapolis, MN, $250,000. To provide biomedical services to residents of Minnesota and North Dakota.

The Basilica Landmark, Minneapolis, MN, $750,000. To support the Basilica restoration campaign.

Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative, Saint Paul, MN, $2,000,000 (program-related investment). To expand access to flexible predevelopment funding that supports the development of deeply affordable and supportive housing within the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative, Saint Paul, MN, $100,000. To provide supportive services to residents of affordable housing developments.

Bridging, Inc., Bloomington, MN, $150,000. To provide quality furniture and household goods for those pursuing housing stability.

Camp Fire Minnesota, Excelsior, MN, $100,000. To provide youth development and leadership opportunities that empower young people to find their spark and connect to nature.

Community of Saints Regional Catholic School, West Saint Paul, MN, $305,000. To support the capital campaign to update the building infrastructure.

Como Friends, Saint Paul, MN, $250,000. To provide access to free enrichment opportunities.

FamilyMeans, Stillwater, MN, $200,000. To provide financial literacy, education, and support for adults and development opportunities for youth in eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys, Inc., Saint Paul, MN, $200,000. To support programs in Minnesota and Wisconsin that build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.

Goodwill Industries, Inc., dba Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, $750,000. For a capital campaign to create a new service center to expand programs that help participants on career pathways and strengthen the regional economy.

Greater Twin Cities United Way, Minneapolis, MN, $200,000. To support the 211 resource hotline to connect Minnesotans in crisis with information and resources to address their needs.

Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas, Minneapolis, MN, $100,000. To support the non-advocacy educational programming.

Loaves and Fishes Too, Minneapolis, MN, $250,000. To source food and operate programs that provide nutritious meals to those in need in Minnesota.

Minnesota Children’s Museum, Saint Paul, MN, $200,000. To provide access to enrichment opportunities for young children and their families.

Minnesota Zoo Foundation, Apple Valley, MN, $200,000. To provide access to enrichment opportunities.

Neighbors, Inc., South Saint Paul, MN, $150,000. For support of the financial empowerment center to provide financial literacy and wraparound services.

Ramsey County Historical Society, Saint Paul, MN, $100,000. To provide access to enrichment opportunities at Gibbs Farm for children and families.

Science Museum of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, $150,000. To provide access to enrichment opportunities for children and families.

Second Harvest Heartland, Inc., Brooklyn Park, MN, $450,000. To purchase food for distribution to prevent hunger in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Thomas Irvine Dodge Nature Center, Saint Paul, MN, $150,000. To provide access to enrichment and community recreation.

University of Minnesota Foundation, Minneapolis, MN, $200,000. To support 4-H youth development programming in Minnesota.

Wilderness Inquiry, Inc., Bloomington, MN, $420,000. To provide inclusive outdoor recreation and experiences that transform individuals, foster work skills, and build healthy communities in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Women’s Life Care Center, Little Canada, MN, $100,000. For support of a capital campaign to build a new facility to expand impact in the community and enhance existing programs.

Montana Statewide

The Salvation Army, a California Corporation, Seattle, WA, $250,000. To provide emergency shelter, response to disasters, and meals to families in Montana.

Western Montana

Boys & Girls Club of the Flathead Reservation, Ronan, MT, $100,000. To provide youth development, enrichment, and citizenship on the Flathead Indian Reservation and Lake County.

Central Montana

American Red Cross of Montana, Great Falls, MT, $125,000. To provide disaster cycle services, biomedical services, services to the armed forces, and lifesaving training and education to residents of Montana.

Big Sky Youth Empowerment Project, Inc., Bozeman, MT, $100,000. To provide youth development and enrichment opportunities in Bozeman.

Montana Homeownership Network dba NeighborWorks Montana, Great Falls, MT, $100,000. To provide financial and homebuyer education and counseling to create opportunities for economic stability and affordable housing in Montana.

Eastern Montana

Boys & Girls Clubs of Yellowstone County, Billings, MT, $100,000. To provide programming that enables young people to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens.

Montana Rescue Mission, Billings, MT, $350,000. To provide food, shelter, and supportive services that empower people to regain their independence, rebuild their lives, and reintegrate into society.

Wisconsin Statewide

Running Rebels Community Organization, Milwaukee, WI, $100,000. To provide young people with the resources and skills necessary to become thriving, connected, and contributing adult members of the community.

Northwest Wisconsin

Boys & Girls Club of the Greater Chippewa Valley, Inc., Eau Claire, WI, $100,000. To provide access to youth development and enrichment opportunities in the greater Chippewa Valley.

St. Croix Valley Food Bank, Hudson, WI, $125,000. For programming to collect and distribute food to address food insecurity and hunger in western Wisconsin.

The Young Men’s Christian Association of Chippewa Valley, Inc., Eau Claire, WI, $150,000. To provide access to youth enrichment and community recreation opportunities.

Northeast Wisconsin

Boys and Girls Clubs of the Bay and Lakes Region, Inc., Green Bay, WI, $100,000. To provide youth development, enrichment, and recreation opportunities to children in Green Bay, Shawano, and Door County.

Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes, Appleton, WI, $100,000. To support youth development, promote citizenship, and encourage civic engagement among children and youth in Wisconsin.

Southwest Wisconsin

Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin, Madison, WI, $250,000. For the distribution of food to support individuals and families experiencing food insecurity.

University of Wisconsin, Madison, Madison, WI, $200,000. To support 4-H youth development programming in Wisconsin.

Urban League of Greater Madison, Inc., Madison, WI, $100,000. To provide comprehensive financial education and counseling services.

Southeast Wisconsin

American National Red Cross – Wisconsin Chapter, Milwaukee, WI, $125,000. To provide disaster cycle services, biomedical services, services to the armed forces, and lifesaving training and education to residents of Wisconsin.

Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, Inc., Milwaukee, WI, $225,000. To source and distribute food to support hunger relief programs that address food insecurity throughout eastern Wisconsin.

Journey House Inc, Milwaukee, WI, $100,000. To empower families in Milwaukee who are on a path towards stability by providing the tools and resources to succeed and contribute personally, professionally, and civically.

Junior Achievement of Wisconsin, Inc., Milwaukee, WI, $200,000. To provide financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and work readiness programming for K-12 students in Wisconsin.

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