Minnesota Community Foundation and Otto Bremer Foundation Collaborate to Promote Rural Philanthropy

Minnesota Community Foundation and the Otto Bremer Foundation, both of St. Paul, are collaborating to cultivate philanthropy in four rural communities over a five-year period.

Otto Bremer Foundation has awarded $560,000 to Minnesota Community Foundation’s Community Fund affiliates—in Alexandria, Argyle, Delano and Walnut Grove. The affiliates will receive up to $25,000 in one-to-one matching funds each year for the next five years. The matching grant program will be used to inspire local giving and grantmaking.

"This is a unique opportunity for the selected Community Funds to jumpstart their fundraising efforts and demonstrate the positive impact of local grantmaking," said Judi Dutcher, president of Minnesota Community Foundation. "We are grateful that through the generosity of the Otto Bremer Foundation, donors in Alexandria, Argyle, Delano and Walnut Grove can double the impact of gifts to their local Community Fund. Over five years the selected community fund is eligible to receive $25,000 per year in matching grants from the Otto Bremer Foundation. That will translate into an infusion of $250,000 in new charitable dollars for important local causes."

"The Otto Bremer Foundation is committed to supporting rural communities," said John Kostishack, executive director of the Otto Bremer Foundation. "This is an excellent opportunity for local donors to build philanthropy throughout the state."

For more information about the Community Funds, including how you can contribute to them, visit Minnesota Community Foundation’s Web site.