OTTO BREMER TRUST

Supporting OrganizationIRS data 2022–2024

ST PAUL, MNEIN 416019050 Website

Annual Giving

$68.5M-28% YoY

Grants

883

Median Grant

$50K

Organizations Funded

1,442

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Foundation Overview

Mission

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 mission reflects the intent of our founder, Otto Bremer, whose vision and longstanding commitment to communities during and after the Great Depression endure today through the Otto Bremer Trust.

Focus Areas

nonprofit capacity buildingintermediary and community foundationscommunity health centershealthcare facility capital and infrastructurecancer care equitychildren's and youth mental healthearly intervention for childrenhomelessness and housing (including domestic violence shelters)

Grant Types

capital campaigns and capital supportoperating supportemergency/crisis grantsscholarshipsprogram/project supportcapacity-building and leadership development

Funded Initiatives

$79.8M+ through 881 grants 2024 to 789 organizations, $1B+ historic total grants, $105M 2023 highest annual distribution, American Cancer Society $1M Hope Lodges, Second Harvest Heartland $300K food security, Williston State College $125K healthcare training facility, recent focus healthcare/community development/youth services

How to Apply

No longer accepts direct applications. Strategic grants awarded to selected organizations identified by staff research. Community Responsive Fund grants through intermediary partners. Organization introduction form for new organizations coming 2025. Two-pronged approach: strategic grants and community responsive fund.

Does Not Fund

Geographic restriction to MN/MT/ND/WI residents, no government entities/public schools, must be 501(c)(3), minimum 5 years operations, $2M+ last fiscal year expenses ($3M+ for Twin Cities metro), no public policy influence/annual events/event sponsorships/fiscal sponsorships, 10% cap on administrative expenses

Based on publicly available information from the foundation's 990 filings and website.

Giving History

2024-28%

$68.5M

Grants

883

Median

$50K

States

2023+41%

$95.4M

Grants

1,145

Median

$50K

States

2022

$67.8M

Grants

931

Median

$50K

States

Grant Size Distribution

$50K

Typical Grant (Median)

$4K

Smallest

$35K

25th Pctile

$80K

75th Pctile

$1.4M

Largest

Excludes grants ≤ $5K. Half fall between $35K and $80K.

Largest Recent Grants

$1.4M

2024

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION

MN · COMMUNITY-UNIVERSITY HEALTH CARE CENTER CAPITAL PROJECT

$1.0M

2024

LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICE OF MINNESOTA

MN · ADDRESS POVERTY IN ST. PAUL

$1.0M

2024

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY INC

MN · 2024 ACS PATIENT SUPPORT STRATEGIC INVESTMENT

$1.0M

2024

MAYO CLINIC

MN · HEALTHCARE CAPITAL

$1.0M

2024

REGIONS HOSPITAL FOUNDATION

MN · HEALTHCARE CAPITAL

Geographic Focus

$44.2M493 grants

$13.8M239 grants

$5.9M84 grants

$4.1M55 grants

$150K2 grants

Top states by total grant dollars. Based on IRS filing data.

Financial Overview

YearTotal AssetsGrants Paid

2024

$1.4B

$68.5M(4.8%)

2023

$1.5B

$95.4M(6.5%)

2022

$1.4B

$67.8M(4.7%)

Grants paid shown as percentage of total assets

Network Intelligence

Funding follows networks, not keywords

SciRise maps 4.8M+ grants across 16,000+ foundations to identify which ones are most likely to fund organizations like yours — based on who they already fund, not just what they say they fund.

Data sourced from IRS 990 and 990-PF filings and publicly available foundation websites. Grant data, financial figures, and organizational details reflect historical filings and may not represent current operations or funding priorities. Verify directly with the foundation before applying. See an issue? Let us know.