Twelve organizations in the Brainerd lakes area received grants totaling $418,000 from Otto Bremer Trust, a St. Paul-based private charitable trust.
These investments were made in a broad array of organizations, including those addressing basic needs, providing access to health services, offering vocational training and supporting new and existing businesses.
“Little did we know that 2020 would become one of the most critical years in OBT’s history,” said Brian Lipschultz, co-CEO and trustee, Monday, Feb. 8, in a news release.
The 12 organizations in the Brainerd lakes area that recently received grants are:
Advocates for Reproductive Education, Brainerd, $45,000;
Boys & Girls Club of the Leech Lake Area Inc., Cass Lake, $23,000;
Brainerd Baxter Youth Center, $30,000;
Bridges of Hope, Brainerd, two grants, $40,000 and $25,000;
Community Care N Share Café, Emily, $5,000;
Family Safety Network of Cass County, Walker, $5,000;
Kinship Partners Inc., Brainerd, $50,000;
Lakewood Health System, Staples, $25,000;
Outreach Program of Brainerd Lakes, Nisswa, $25,000;
Pillager Family Council, Pillager, $75,000;
Riverview Church, Pine River, $25,000; and
Rural Renewable Energy Alliance, Backus, $45,000.
Otto Bremer Trust awarded $71.3 million in grants and program-related investments in 2020. More than $9 million was awarded to organizations in central and northern Minnesota and the Red River region.
The total represents the trust’s 10th consecutive year of record charitable distributions to nonprofits that help millions access critical resources and opportunities for a better life, the release stated.
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“Our grantmaking and emergency fund distributions were more essential than ever before and provided badly needed financial support as well as a ray of hope during these challenging times,” Lipschultz stated.
Otto Bremer Trust also invested in its systems and operations during the year, building a new online portal that will streamline the application process for organizations seeking responsive grant investments.
“Trustees and our talented and dedicated staff distributed more than 1,000 grants ... more than any year in our history,” stated Charlotte Johnson, co-CEO and trustee, in the release. “And this was all accomplished while OBT employees were working remotely.”
For more information about the Otto Bremer Trust and its grantees, visit ottobremer.org .
