Otto Bremer Trust awards 119 grants totaling $7.4 million

The Otto Bremer Trust has awarded 119 grants totaling $7,456,601 to organizations across the Upper Midwest as part of its most recent grantmaking cycle.

“These organizations are making a positive difference and the Otto Bremer Trust’s investments represent our continuing commitment to help strengthen communities across the region,” said Charlotte Johnson, co-CEO and trustee, OBT.

The Otto Bremer Trust, based in St. Paul, Minn., is a private charitable trust established in 1944 by founder Otto Bremer, a successful banker and community business leader. OBT owns 92 percent of Bremer Bank and also manages a diversified investment portfolio. The mission of OBT is to invest in people, places, and opportunities in the Upper Midwest. Since its inception, OBT has invested more than $600 million in organizations throughout Minnesota, North Dakota, and western Wisconsin. Visit ottobremer.org.

A list of grants awarded to local organizations is included below. For a complete list of grants, review the full release at https://ottobremer.org/news_stories/2018-03-26-news/.

• Village of Baldwin, Baldwin, WI, $35,000. To support the purchase of life-saving equipment for the community ambulance service.

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Wisconsin, Eau Claire, WI, $85,000. For general operations to support one-to-one mentoring for at-risk youth.

• L.E. Phillips Career Development Center, Eau Claire, WI, $25,000. For support of the Chippewa Outreach Office, which provides resources for economically disadvantaged individuals and families to meet basic needs and obtain or maintain stable housing.

• Operation HELP, Inc., Hudson, WI, $37,500. For general operations to support residents of St. Croix County with emergency rent, utilities, and car repair assistance.

• Turningpoint for Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence, Inc., River Falls, WI, $75,161. For general operations and design of a new facility to provide domestic and sexual violence programs and services in Pierce and St. Croix Counties.

• Watch Us Grow Children’s Village, Menomonie, WI, $2,500. To support provision of childcare service to Dunn County Job Center clients.