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Community Benefit Grants is a grantmaking program from the Otto Bremer Trust that funds organizations serving residents of Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. The Trust invests in people, places, and opportunities in these four states through two approaches: strategic grants initiated directly by OBT and Community Responsive Fund grants administered through selected intermediaries.
Grant awards range from $10,000 to over $100,000. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations whose beneficiaries reside in the covered states; government entities and public schools are not eligible. The Otto Bremer Trust does not accept unsolicited grant applications.
Nonprofits, non-public schools, and other qualifying organizations should monitor the Trust's website for open Community Responsive Fund cycles.
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Our Grantmaking - Otto Bremer Trust PROGRAM-RELATED INVESTMENTS PROGRAM-RELATED INVESTMENTS Can't find what you’re looking for? Visit Contact Us to reach out directly to someone who can help. Learn about the Otto Bremer Trust’s approaches to grantmaking.
Learn about the Otto Bremer Trust’s approaches to grantmaking. The Otto Bremer Trust strives to effectively and efficiently deliver on its mission of investing in people, places, and opportunities in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Our Approaches to Grantmaking Over the last several years, our world and the communities we serve have undergone tremendous change, and there is a growing need to support residents and services in local communities throughout our region. As these needs have increased, the philanthropic landscape has become more complex.
Because of this, we are continually assessing and improving our processes to be more efficient and effective and to lessen the burden on prospective grantees. With these approaches to our giving, we can accomplish both goals while focusing our grantmaking where it is most needed, as was Otto Bremer’s vision 80 years ago.
Our two-pronged approach to grantmaking includes: Strategic grants initiated and provided directly by OBT Community Responsive Fund grants administered through selected intermediaries (Note that OBT does not accept grant applications.) In addition to the requirements detailed in the Strategic Grants and 2026 Community Responsive Fund tabs above, the Otto Bremer Trust considers the following in its research.
Grants are made only to organizations whose beneficiaries are Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and/or Wisconsin residents. Grants are generally restricted to organizations that have a 501(c)(3) determination from the IRS. (Government entities, including public schools, are not eligible.
Non-public schools are eligible.) In accordance with federal regulations, the Otto Bremer Trust does not discriminate based on race, color, creed, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, or national origin. We require prospective grantees’ employment and service practices to comply with this policy.
Strategic grants are awarded to selected organizations for activities that align with the Otto Bremer Trust’s objectives and have demonstrated an impact that will be sustained and enhanced through further investments from OBT. The Otto Bremer Trust appreciates your important work to improve the lives of people in your community.
Because your time is valuable, OBT’s strategic grantmaking approach streamlines the otherwise lengthy steps commonly found in grantmaking. We leverage internal knowledge, our robust funding history, engagement with external stakeholders, and research to identify strategic grant recipients.
Once we have identified a strategic grant candidate, we contact the organization to schedule an in-depth discussion and, in most cases, request some basic financial information. If a grant is awarded, we require a straightforward final report at the end of the grant period. Strategic grants use the following as basic eligibility criteria.
Beneficiaries of the grants must reside in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and/or Wisconsin. The organization must have a 501(c)(3) determination from the IRS. (Government entities, including public schools, are not eligible.
Non-public schools are eligible.) The organization must have at least five years of successful operations. The organization’s last fiscal year’s actual expenses must have been $2 million or more.
The organization may not have an open OBT strategic grant. The Otto Bremer Trust honors the intentions of our founder, Otto Bremer, through the investments we make in the communities we serve. We strive to help build healthy, vibrant communities where basic needs are met and opportunities for economic, civic, and social participation are within everyone’s reach.
We start by saying “basic needs are met,” because we understand that for any individual, meeting basic needs—like the need for food, warm and stable housing, access to medical care, and aid during times of disaster—has to come first. Once people are able to attend to their basic needs, they are in a better position to achieve long-term stability, find personal satisfaction, and maximize their contributions to society.
When we say “opportunities for economic, civic, and social participation are within everyone’s reach,” we mean that active, vibrant community life is available to all, not just to some. A place where all people have the chance to build an economic foundation for themselves and their families. A place where all people have the education and skills to engage in the issues that affect their community.
A place where all people can connect and contribute to social networks that are essential to their well-being. Please visit our Grant & PRI Search and our Newsroom to learn more about how we carry out Otto Bremer’s intentions. 2026 COMMUNITY RESPONSIVE FUND The Otto Bremer Trust engages philanthropic intermediaries to administer grants to organizations for aligned activities through the Otto Bremer Trust Community Responsive Fund.
This approach leverages the knowledge and trust of local, regional, and statewide organizations to advance the Trust’s mission to invest in people, places, and opportunities in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. Local context matters. It shapes a community’s vision and informs how people respond to opportunities and challenges.
With this in mind, we engage local experts in our Community Responsive Fund grantmaking process. Each year, OBT selects intermediaries with knowledge and familiarity of the intersection of regional opportunities and challenges, community dynamics, and the spectrum of nonprofit service providers in their local communities.
The intermediaries then use their knowledge and individual processes to administer grants to organizations, projects, and services that will have the most significant impact on their communities and regions. The Otto Bremer Trust provides intermediaries with base eligibility criteria for grantees: The work must align with the OBT Community Responsive Fund focus areas for 2026 (see below).
Beneficiaries of the grants must reside in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and/or Wisconsin. The organization must have a 501(c)(3) determination from the IRS. (Government entities, including public schools, are not eligible.
Non-public schools are eligible.) The organization must have at least five years of successful operations during which they have continuously held 501(c)(3) status. The organization must complete annual audited financial statements prepared by an independent CPA.
The organization’s last fiscal year’s actual expenses must have been $2 million or more, excluding in-kind expenses. ($3 million for the Twin Cities metro area of Minnesota.) Grant funds are not to be used for work to influence public policy, annual events, event sponsorships, or fiscal sponsorships.
The organization may not have an open OBT strategic grant. Sometimes a community is outside the geographic scope of the selected intermediaries in a given year. As a result, during that year, organizations in that community will not be eligible for an OBT Community Responsive Fund grant.
Each year, the Otto Bremer Trust identifies focus areas for the Community Responsive Fund that honor the intentions of our founder, Otto Bremer. Intermediaries may implement some or all the focus areas. The 2026 focus areas are: Food.
Organizations and programs that directly operate meal sites and food pantries to meet basic daily needs. (Large, region- and state-wide food bank activities are not included.) Shelter.
Organizations and programs that provide short-term and emergency shelter beds for people who are housing insecure or facing homelessness. Low-income healthcare clinics. Organizations and programs that primarily provide affordable medical, dental, and mental health services to people with limited financial resources or who are uninsured/underinsured.
Disability services. Organizations and programs that support people with physical/cognitive disabilities. School-based mental health.
Organizations and programs that have established school-based mental health services. The Otto Bremer Trust has identified the six intermediary organizations that will administer the 2026 Otto Bremer Trust Community Responsive Fund.
Greater Twin Cities United Way (MN) Initiative Foundation (MN) Montana Community Foundation (MT) North Dakota Community Foundation (ND) Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region (WI) United Way of Wisconsin (WI) The Otto Bremer Trust strives to effectively and efficiently deliver on its mission of investing in people, places, and opportunities in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Our Approaches to Grantmaking Over the last several years, our world and the communities we serve have undergone tremendous change, and there is a growing need to support residents and services in local communities throughout our region. As these needs have increased, the philanthropic landscape has become more complex.
Because of this, we are continually assessing and improving our processes to be more efficient and effective and to lessen the burden on prospective grantees. With these approaches to our giving, we can accomplish both goals while focusing our grantmaking where it is most needed, as was Otto Bremer’s vision 80 years ago.
Our two-pronged approach to grantmaking includes: Strategic grants initiated and provided directly by OBT Community Responsive Fund grants administered through selected intermediaries (Note that OBT does not accept grant applications.) In addition to the requirements detailed in the Strategic Grants and 2026 Community Responsive Fund tabs above, the Otto Bremer Trust considers the following in its research.
Grants are made only to organizations whose beneficiaries are Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and/or Wisconsin residents. Grants are generally restricted to organizations that have a 501(c)(3) determination from the IRS. (Government entities, including public schools, are not eligible.
Non-public schools are eligible.) In accordance with federal regulations, the Otto Bremer Trust does not discriminate based on race, color, creed, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, or national origin. We require prospective grantees’ employment and service practices to comply with this policy.
Strategic grants are awarded to selected organizations for activities that align with the Otto Bremer Trust’s objectives and have demonstrated an impact that will be sustained and enhanced through further investments from OBT. The Otto Bremer Trust appreciates your important work to improve the lives of people in your community.
Because your time is valuable, OBT’s strategic grantmaking approach streamlines the otherwise lengthy steps commonly found in grantmaking. We leverage internal knowledge, our robust funding history, engagement with external stakeholders, and research to identify strategic grant recipients.
Once we have identified a strategic grant candidate, we contact the organization to schedule an in-depth discussion and, in most cases, request some basic financial information. If a grant is awarded, we require a straightforward final report at the end of the grant period. Strategic grants use the following as basic eligibility criteria.
Beneficiaries of the grants must reside in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and/or Wisconsin. The organization must have a 501(c)(3) determination from the IRS. (Government entities, including public schools, are not eligible.
Non-public schools are eligible.) The organization must have at least five years of successful operations. The organization’s last fiscal year’s actual expenses must have been $2 million or more.
The organization may not have an open OBT strategic grant. The Otto Bremer Trust honors the intentions of our founder, Otto Bremer, through the investments we make in the communities we serve. We strive to help build healthy, vibrant communities where basic needs are met and opportunities for economic, civic, and social participation are within everyone’s reach.
We start by saying “basic needs are met,” because we understand that for any individual, meeting basic needs—like the need for food, warm and stable housing, access to medical care, and aid during times of disaster—has to come first. Once people are able to attend to their basic needs, they are in a better position to achieve long-term stability, find personal satisfaction, and maximize their contributions to society.
When we say “opportunities for economic, civic, and social participation are within everyone’s reach,” we mean that active, vibrant community life is available to all, not just to some. A place where all people have the chance to build an economic foundation for themselves and their families. A place where all people have the education and skills to engage in the issues that affect their community.
A place where all people can connect and contribute to social networks that are essential to their well-being. Please visit our Grant & PRI Search and our Newsroom to learn more about how we carry out Otto Bremer’s intentions. The Otto Bremer Trust engages philanthropic intermediaries to administer grants to organizations for aligned activities through the Otto Bremer Trust Community Responsive Fund.
This approach leverages the knowledge and trust of local, regional, and statewide organizations to advance the Trust’s mission to invest in people, places, and opportunities in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. Local context matters. It shapes a community’s vision and informs how people respond to opportunities and challenges.
With this in mind, we engage local experts in our Community Responsive Fund grantmaking process. Each year, OBT selects intermediaries with knowledge and familiarity of the intersection of regional opportunities and challenges, community dynamics, and the spectrum of nonprofit service providers in their local communities.
The intermediaries then use their knowledge and individual processes to administer grants to organizations, projects, and services that will have the most significant impact on their communities and regions. The Otto Bremer Trust provides intermediaries with base eligibility criteria for grantees: The work must align with the OBT Community Responsive Fund focus areas for 2026 (see below).
Beneficiaries of the grants must reside in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and/or Wisconsin. The organization must have a 501(c)(3) determination from the IRS. (Government entities, including public schools, are not eligible.
Non-public schools are eligible.) The organization must have at least five years of successful operations during which they have continuously held 501(c)(3) status. The organization must complete annual audited financial statements prepared by an independent CPA.
The organization’s last fiscal year’s actual expenses must have been $2 million or more, excluding in-kind expenses. ($3 million for the Twin Cities metro area of Minnesota.) Grant funds are not to be used for work to influence public policy, annual events, event sponsorships, or fiscal sponsorships.
The organization may not have an open OBT strategic grant. Sometimes a community is outside the geographic scope of the selected intermediaries in a given year. As a result, during that year, organizations in that community will not be eligible for an OBT Community Responsive Fund grant.
Each year, the Otto Bremer Trust identifies focus areas for the Community Responsive Fund that honor the intentions of our founder, Otto Bremer. Intermediaries may implement some or all the focus areas. The 2026 focus areas are: Food.
Organizations and programs that directly operate meal sites and food pantries to meet basic daily needs. (Large, region- and state-wide food bank activities are not included.) Shelter.
Organizations and programs that provide short-term and emergency shelter beds for people who are housing insecure or facing homelessness. Low-income healthcare clinics. Organizations and programs that primarily provide affordable medical, dental, and mental health services to people with limited financial resources or who are uninsured/underinsured.
Disability services. Organizations and programs that support people with physical/cognitive disabilities. School-based mental health.
Organizations and programs that have established school-based mental health services. The Otto Bremer Trust has identified the six intermediary organizations that will administer the 2026 Otto Bremer Trust Community Responsive Fund.
Greater Twin Cities United Way (MN) Initiative Foundation (MN) Montana Community Foundation (MT) North Dakota Community Foundation (ND) Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region (WI) United Way of Wisconsin (WI) I'D LIKE TO STAY INFORMED ABOUT: If you are human, leave this field blank. © 2026 Otto Bremer Trust
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: 501(c)(3) nonprofits and government entities in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, or Wisconsin. Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates $10,000 - $100,000+ Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is rolling deadlines or periodic funding windows. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Federal grant success rates typically range from 10-30%, varying by agency and program. Build a strong proposal with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and a well-justified budget to improve your chances.
Requirements vary by sponsor, but typically include a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capability statement, and key personnel CVs. Check the official notice for the complete list of required attachments.
Yes — AI tools like Granted can help research funders, draft proposal sections, and check compliance. However, always review and customize AI-generated content to reflect your organization's unique strengths and the specific requirements of the solicitation.
Review timelines vary by funder. Federal agencies typically take 3-6 months from submission to award notification. Foundation grants may be faster, often 1-3 months. Check the program's timeline in the official solicitation for specific dates.
Many federal programs offer multi-year funding or allow competitive renewals. Check the official solicitation for continuation and renewal policies. Non-competing continuation applications are common for multi-year awards.