Otto Bremer Foundation Awards 42 Grants Totaling 3.3 Million

Source: Otto Bremer Foundation 02/20/2012

(Feb. 20, 2012) - The Otto Bremer Foundation awarded 42 grants totaling $3,289,515.00 in January, 2012. Twenty-Three grants totaling $1,936,292 support programs and organizations in Minnesota; 13 totaling $978,224, in North Dakota; and 6 totaling $375,000, in Wisconsin. A complete list of grants by state is included below.

About the Otto Bremer Foundation
Created in 1944, the Otto Bremer Foundation assists people in achieving full economic, civic, and social participation in and for the betterment of their communities. The Foundation’s work to help build and maintain vibrant communities is based on the vision and legacy of Otto Bremer, whose commitment to Bremer Bank communities and to those working to make their lives better continues to guide the Foundation.

The Otto Bremer Foundation owns the majority share of Bremer Bank, and a portion of the bank’s profits comes to the Foundation as dividends, enabling the Foundation to invest back in the bank communities in the form of grants and program-related investments. Organizations whose beneficiaries are residents of Minnesota, North Dakota, or Wisconsin are eligible to apply for Foundation grants, with priority given to communities served by Bremer Bank. In 2011 the Foundation provided approximately $30 million in grants and program related investments.

Otto Bremer Foundation Grants, January, 2012

Minnesota, 23 Grants, $1,936,292

Bois Forte Band of Chippewa
$78,818
Nett Lake, MN; To support the Community Development Credit Union to educate and provide financial services to the underserved community.
Contact: Kevin Leecy (218) 757-3261

CCRI, Inc.
$75,000
Moorhead, MN; To support the operations of a Transitional Housing Program for men and women with disabilities.
Contact: Rhonda King (218) 331-2002

Central Minnesota Community Foundation
$360,000
St. Cloud, MN; To support building the capacity of the Alexandria Area Community Foundation.
Contact: Steven R. Joul (320) 253-4380

Children's Dental Services, Inc.
$200,000
Minneapolis, MN; To provide affordable dental services for low-income children and expecting mothers in North Dakota.
Contact: Sarah Wovcha (612) 746-1530

Detroit Lakes Area College Foundation
$18,000
Detroit Lakes, MN; To build capacity and increase organizational effectiveness by supporting the purchase of a shared database to be used by area community colleges.
Contact: Catie Herman (218) 846-3681

Family Advocacy Center of Northern Minnesota
$75,000
Bemidji, MN; To sustain and strengthen services for this organization that serves children, adolescent, and adult victims of sexual abuse and assault.
Contact: Aria Hartman (218) 333-6011

Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin Lakes and Pines Council
$30,000
Waite Park, MN; To support a project which will provide leadership opportunities for young girls.
Contact: Leigh Ann Davis (320) 252-2952

HOME Line
$50,000
Minneapolis, MN; To support organizing and advocacy to preserve and maintain affordable housing for low-income tenants in Greater Minnesota.
Contact: Beth Kodluboy (612) 728-5770

Independent School District #2149
$125,000
Starbuck, MN; To support the Minnewaska Area Day Treatment, a program which works to empower students with disabilities as well as their families.
Contact: Gregory Ohl (320) 239-4820

Independent School District #2170
$50,000
Staples, MN; To support a renovation project that will serve as a family center in Motley.
Contact: Mark Schmitz (218) 894-2340

Minnesota Association for Volunteer Administration
$50,000
Maplewood, MN; To support a two-year initiative to provide more advanced resources for volunteer engagement and management in Greater Minnesota.
Contact: Mary Quirk (651) 255-0469

Minnesota Youth Intervention Programs Association
$80,000
Mendota Heights, MN; To support programs for service providers in communities throughout Minnesota.
Contact: J. Scott Beaty (651) 452-3589

Mixed Blood Theatre Company
$45,000
Minneapolis, MN; For the Regional Touring Program, which promotes cultural competence.
Contact: Jack Reuler (612) 338-0937

Prevent Child Abuse Minnesota
$102,000
St. Paul, MN; To support a project which will focus on poverty, child abuse and neglect on the Red Lake Reservation.
Contact: Karina Forrest-Perkins (651) 523-0099

Reach Up, Inc.
$75,000
St. Cloud, MN; For general operating to provide comprehensive education and support services which will strengthen low-income families with young children.
Contact: Linda Maron (320) 253-8110

Rural AIDS Action Network
$45,000
Little Falls, MN; To support general operating and for a challenge grant to increase individual online giving for this organization that serves individuals living with or affected by HIV/AIDS.
Contact: Charles A. Hempeck (320) 257-3036

Rural Enrichment and Counseling Headquarters, Inc.
$35,000
Hawley, MN; For general operating support for this human service organization.
Contact: Jodi Puhalla Neumann (218) 483-3145

College of St. Scholastica
$144,974
Duluth, MN; To support the Tribal Community Partnerships Supporting American Indian Social Workers program that works to increase the number of credentialed American Indian social workers in Northern Minnesota reservations.
Contact: Larry Goodwin (218) 723-6033

United Way of Douglas & Pope Counties
$30,000
Alexandria, MN; To support the Community Impact Coalition, which will address homeless services, emergency shelter and resources to families and those in need.
Contact: Jessica Boyer (320) 763-4840

VINE Faith in Action, Inc.
$150,000
Mankato, MN; To support a capital campaign to consolidate services and provide a community center for older adults.
Contact: Pamela Determan (507) 387-1666

West Central Industries, Inc.
$17,500
Willmar, MN; To provide Renville, Swift, Meeker, and Kandiyohi counties children, teens and adults with disabilities with resources and other support
Contact: Charles Oakes (320) 235-5310

West Central Initiative
$30,000
Fergus Falls, MN; To support strong social and emotional growth of young children in child care by providing relationship-based consultation to providers.
Contact: Nancy Straw (218) 739-2239

White Earth Land Recovery Project Native Harvest
$70,000
Callaway, MN; For general operating support for Nurturing Civil Society, Energy Sovereignty.
Contact: Winona LaDuke (218) 573-3448

North Dakota, 13 Grants, $978,224

Abused Adult Resource Center
$150,000
Bismarck, ND; For the operations of a new transitional shelter that serves women and children who are homeless.
Contact: Diane Zainhofsky (701) 222-8370

Bismarck Law Enforcement Chaplaincy
$30,000
Bismarck, ND; For general operating support for the Critical Stress Management Team.
Contact: Dan Sweeney (701) 226-1290

Catholic Charities of North Dakota
$35,000
Fargo, ND; For the Pregnancy, Parenting and Adoption Services Program, which provides counseling for those facing an unintended pregnancy.
Contact: Larry Bernhardt (701) 235-4457

Children's Defense Fund North Dakota
$45,000
Bismarck, ND; To hire a part-time advocacy and outreach staff person.
Contact: Paul Ronningen (701) 400-1827

Community Violence Intervention Center, Inc.
$125,000
Grand Forks, ND; For general operating support to carry out the work of programs and provide leadership and vision in building a safe and healthy community.
Contact: Kristi Hall-Jiran (701) 746-0405

Grand Forks Community Land Trust
$35,000
Grand Forks, ND; To support the organizational and portfolio development of this Community Land Trust.
Contact: Emily Wright (218) 791-4668

Heartview Foundation
$64,584
Bismarck, ND; To support the Recovery Coach Program, which provides services for patients during and following the completion of addiction treatment.
Contact: Kurt Snyder (701) 222-0386

Hospice of the Red River Valley
$75,000
Fargo, ND; To support a challenge grant for the development of a planned giving initiative.
Contact: Susan Fuglie (701) 356-1501

Housing Industry Training, Inc.
$25,000
Mandan, ND; To support an employment project for high school students with disabilities.
Contact: Michael J. Remboldt (701) 663-0379

Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota
$150,000
Fargo, ND; To support a comprehensive renovation of Luther Hall that will provide a healthy environment for youth.
Contact: Robert Sanderson (701) 235-7341

North Dakota State University
$80,000
Fargo, ND; To develop a statewide social indicators website.
Contact: Amy Scott (701) 231-8045

Spirit Lake Tribal Council
$113,640
Fort Totten, ND; To support the Spirit Lake Tribe Green and Health Homes Initiative Project that will address housing related health, safety, and environmental hazards.
Contact: Roger Yankton (701) 766-1259

Village Family Service Center
$50,000
Fargo, ND; To support the visitation and exchange program in Minot.
Contact: Gary J. Wolsky (701) 451-4929

Wisconsin, 6 Grants, $375,000

Baldwin Area Medical Center
$50,000
Baldwin, WI; To support renovations which will provide more effective and efficient behavioral health services for patients.
Contact: Alison Page (715) 684-8615

Celebrate Children Foundation, Inc.
$55,000
Madison, WI; To support YoungStar, a rating and improvement system for early learning and child care providers.
Contact: James L. Leonhard (608) 266-6953

Community Referral Agency, Inc.
$50,000
Milltown, WI; For transitional costs of service expansion into Barron County and for general operating support.
Contact: Ann Frey (715) 825-4414

Hudson Hockey Association, Inc.
$100,000
Hudson, WI; To support the rehabilitation of a community gathering space.
Contact: Adam Danielson (612) 363-8899

Polk County Justice Collaborating Council, Inc.
$75,000
Balsam Lake, WI; For general operating support to enhance and expand the Restorative Justice, Community Service and Drug Court programs.
Contact: Molly GaleWyrick (715) 485-9293

United Way of Dunn County
$45,000
Menomonie, WI; To support the C-3 Center, which distributes clothing, household goods to individuals and families.
Contact: Diane Simon (715) 235-3800