Social Return

Grantmaking

SUPPORTING THE EFFORTS OF ENGAGED COMMUNITY MEMBERS

Enriching individuals’ lives is a cooperative endeavor. We see our role as supporting extraordinary efforts. For more than 75 years we have partnered with people and organizations working on the front lines, and we continuously look to do more. We welcome grant applications that will strengthen the community and are consistent with OBT's objectives. We seek to make our process as efficient as possible so that the good work can continue and grow.

Social Return Focus

Grant Categories

While the Otto Bremer Trust does not have specific strategic grant-making priorities, we do provide broad categories to explain the types of programs and services we invest in. These categories are intended to provide some insight into our social returns.
  • Basic Needs
  • Community Asset Building
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Restorative & Emergency Services
Basic Needs

For displaced individuals or those facing other challenges, securing a roof overhead, finding clothing to wear and putting food on the table are the first steps toward self-sufficiency.

These grants include those that focus on short-term assistance through food shelves and outreach programs, cash or vouchers, and auto repair, along with refugee resettlement efforts, transitional housing programs, and homeless shelters.

Where We Work

A UNIQUE RESOURCE FOR INVESTMENT IN THE UPPER MIDWEST

By investing in people, places, and opportunities in the Upper Midwest, the Otto Bremer Trust seeks to build healthy, vibrant communities in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.

  • MN

    $50,621,270

    630 Grants & PRIs

    In 2021

  • MT

    $8,438,837

    78 Grants & PRIs

    In 2021

  • ND

    $5,249,410

    84 Grants

    In 2021

  • WI

    $8,594,991

    153 Grants & PRIs

    In 2021

REGIONAL CONTACTS

Use the dropdown menus below to identify your OBT region and regional contact.

CONTACT FORM

Use this form to send a message directly to your regional contact.

Region Contact Form

Grantmaking Process

How To Apply For A Grant

If you have already started your online grant application, log in to the
Application Portal

Welcome to the Otto Bremer Trust’s new application process. We have made many improvements, reducing the time between applying for a grant and receiving a decision. This page contains important information about what’s new in our process—and what remains the same.

Eligibility

Grants are made only to organizations whose beneficiaries are residents of Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, or Wisconsin. Grants are generally restricted to organizations described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and to governmental entities. OBT does not make grants to individuals. Please note that as a regulated financial institution, we will screen applications in accordance with the Bank Secrecy Act and file Suspicious Activity Reports when warranted.

ACTIVITIES WE DO NOT FUND

The Otto Bremer Trust provides funding to support critical assistance, health and well-being, and community engagement. We do not fund the following:

  • Requests for projects that support beneficiaries outside our four-state region
  • K-12 core curriculum and related in-school resources
  • Religious programs for the purpose of religious education or proselytization
  • Municipal infrastructure projects; for example:
    • Fire trucks
    • Ambulances and related emergency-response equipment
  • Animal welfare or animal-based therapy
  • Sporting teams and events

Otto Bremer Trust provides general operating, program, and capital grants. We do not provide grants for the following purposes:

  • Sponsorships for events
  • Servicing or paying off previously incurred debt or expenses
  • One-time experiences, including conferences, convenings, trips, etc.
  • To bring a building or program into government compliance

ALL ARE WELCOME HERE

OBT does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, or national origin.

Waiting period after a turndown

When an application is turned down, the applicant must wait one year from the date they submitted it before applying again. In a few special circumstances, OBT will waive the one-year waiting period. In those cases, the applicant will receive notice of the waiver at the same time they receive their turndown notification.

The Impact

EXPLORE GRANTS MADE BY THE OTTO BREMER TRUST

Good knows no boundaries, especially in the Upper Midwest. Here’s a look at the types of work made possible by our grantmaking.

Featured Story

See All Stories
Keeping a community healthy
REDEEMER CENTER FOR LIFE, INC., MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA

Recent Grant Recipients

See All Recipients
South Sudanese Foundation
$50,000 | 2021 | Fargo, ND

For general operations to provide intensive tutoring to refugee and immigrant students, English language learning for adults, and wraparound basic-needs support to new Americans in Fargo-Moorhead.

Montessori American Indian Childcare Center
$25,000 | 2021 | Saint Paul, MN

For general operations to provide quality early childhood learning opportunities grounded in American Indian culture and language for indigenous children 3-6 years of age.

Montana Meth Project
$25,000 | 2021 | Missoula, MT

For general operations to reduce first-time teen methamphetamine use in Montana through public service messaging and educational outreach.