The Otto Bremer Trust (OBT) in St. Paul, Minnesota, has announced a new grantmaking approach.

To be more effective in delivering on its mission of investing in people, places, and opportunities in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin, OBT will shift to a grantmaking model that includes a two-pronged approach: strategic grants initiated and provided directly by OBT that meet the trustees’ criteria and objectives and have demonstrated impact; and Community Responsive Fund grants through intermediary partners that will be selected through a closed process. In late 2023, OBT initiated a pilot project to work with intermediary partners, engaging them to identify and recommend grants to organizations addressing community needs.

“The Community Responsive Fund grants leverage the expertise and local insights of intermediaries to extend the reach of OBT’s objectives and to identify organizations, projects, and services that will have the greatest impact and are most needed in their local communities and regions,” said OBT co-CEO and trustee Francis M. Miley. “We had an extraordinary response to the Community Responsive Fund during the pilot project and are looking forward to continuing to expand and explore grantmaking through this approach.”

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