$28 million in latest grants to strengthen local communities announced by Caroline Johnson, Francis Miley, and Daniel Reardon
In a powerful reaffirmation of its mission to fortify the social and economic fabric of the Upper Midwest, the Otto Bremer Trust (OBT) has announced that it awarded $28,434,750 in grants during the first four months of 2025.
The announcement was made jointly by Caroline Johnson, Francis Miley, and Daniel Reardon, co-CEOs and trustees of the Trust.
Of that total, a remarkable $16.8 million was allocated to seven intermediary organizations administering the 2025 OBT Community Responsive Fund, a regional initiative that leverages trusted local partners to identify and support impactful community programs.
“These grants demonstrate our ongoing commitment to strengthening communities throughout the region,” said Daniel Reardon.
“By collaborating with organizations that are deeply embedded in the communities they serve, we’re able to meet local needs with insight, agility, and trust.”
The grants were distributed across four states—Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin—with each investment reflecting a diverse array of local initiatives, from expanding rural healthcare access to supporting single-parent families, first-generation college students, and mental health services.
Statewide Grant Totals:
Minnesota: $14,430,650
Montana: $2,525,000
North Dakota: $2,850,000
Wisconsin: $8,629,100
Investing in Human Potential Across Sectors
Highlights of this season’s grantmaking include:
A $2.5 million investment in Allina Health Foundation to support the expansion of Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.
$1.35 million to the University of Minnesota Foundation to strengthen rural physician training programs.
$1 million to Froedtert Hospital Foundation in Milwaukee to enhance healthcare infrastructure in southeastern Wisconsin.
$750,000 to Eagle Mount in Bozeman, Montana, to advance services for individuals with disabilities.
$1 million to Sanford Health Foundation North to improve cancer care access across North Dakota.
Additionally, organizations serving underrepresented students, youth, and marginalized families—such as Jeremiah Program, Jewish Family Service of St. Paul, and All-In Milwaukee—received vital support to expand wraparound services and help build pathways to economic mobility.
Empowering Local Philanthropy Through the Community Responsive Fund
A cornerstone of OBT’s philanthropic architecture, the Community Responsive Fund empowers regional foundations to support emerging needs with local precision. The 2025 fund distributed $16.8 million across the following organizations:
North Dakota Community Foundation (Bismarck, ND): $1,050,000
Initiative Foundation (Little Falls, MN): $3,150,000
Greater Twin Cities United Way (Minneapolis, MN): $4,200,000
Montana Community Foundation, Inc. (Helena, MT): $1,575,000
Greater Milwaukee Foundation Inc. (Milwaukee, WI): $3,150,000
Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region (Appleton, WI): $1,575,000
United Way of Wisconsin (Madison, WI): $2,100,000
Since its founding in 1944 by entrepreneur and civic leader Otto Bremer, the Trust has invested over $1 billion into the people, places, and opportunities of the region.
The 2025 grant cycle highlights the organization’s continued evolution as a catalyst for grassroots resilience and equitable progress.