FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: David Hakensen, H Co., 612-840-4592

Otto Bremer Trust makes 236 grants totaling record $15.9 million

More than $2.3 million awarded to organizations in Wisconsin

SAINT PAUL, December 9, 2021 — The Otto Bremer Trust has awarded $15,978,453 as part of its most recent grantmaking cycle, making it the largest responsive grant round in the organization’s 77-year history.

“All these grants represent OBT’s ongoing commitment to responsive grantmaking,” said Daniel Reardon, Co-CEO and Trustee, Otto Bremer Trust. “These organizations are providing much-needed services despite the effects of the lingering pandemic and its continued economic impact.”

The Otto Bremer Trust is a bank holding company and a private charitable trust based in Saint Paul, Minn., that works at the intersection of finance and philanthropy. Created in 1944 by Otto Bremer, it is today one of the nation’s largest philanthropic organizations and is committed to supporting a better quality of life for residents of Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. OBT is the majority owner of Bremer Financial Corporation, a regional financial services company; manages a diversified investment portfolio; and operates Community Benefit Financial Company, a financial resources subsidiary. Since its founding, OBT has invested more than $841 million in people, places, and opportunities in the Upper Midwest. Visit ottobremer.org.

A list of grants awarded to organizations in Wisconsin is included below. For a complete list of grants awarded, see the full release on our website.

Northwest Wisconsin

American National Red Cross – Wisconsin Region, Altoona, WI, $100,000. For general operations to provide disaster response for the public, support services for veterans, and humanitarian aid for international evacuees in Wisconsin.

Amery Area Senior Citizens, Inc., Amery, WI, $35,000. For general operations to provide programs and services that benefit the health and wellness of community members.

Amery Regional Medical Center Foundation, Amery, WI, $150,000. To renovate the emergency department and cancer treatment center in order to meet medical needs in northwest Wisconsin.

Caring Hearts Thriftshop, INC, Webster, WI, $20,000. For general operations to provide food, clothing, and other supports to meet basic needs in northwest Wisconsin.

Fierce Freedom Inc, Altoona, WI, $15,000. For general operations to address human trafficking by supporting survivors and educating the public in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Free Clinic of Pierce and St. Croix Counties, Inc., River Falls, WI, $33,000. For general operations to provide free primary healthcare, medications, and preventative health education for Pierce and St. Croix County residents.

Friends of the Glenwood City Library, Inc., Glenwood City, WI, $25,000. To provide furniture and equipment for the new library in Glenwood City, Wisconsin.

Hudson Hospital Foundation, Hudson, WI, $25,000. To improve pediatric healthcare through access to on-demand virtual consultations with medical specialists.

Indianhead Enterprises of Menomonie, Inc., Menomonie, WI, $3,000. To provide community-based pre-vocational programs to ensure people with disabilities have access to community resources and employment options in Menomonie, Wisconsin.

Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers of Burnett County Inc., Webster, WI, $45,000. For general operations to provide a variety of support services for individuals and families in need in northwest Wisconsin.

Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College, Hayward, WI, $20,000. To provide micro-grants to assist students with emergency expenses that might threaten their ability to be successful in college.

Literacy Volunteers – Chippewa Valley, Eau Claire, WI, $44,185. For general operations to provide free, flexible adult basic education services.

West Central Wisconsin Community Action Agency, Inc., Glenwood City, WI, $119,000. For general operations to improve the quality of life and increase self-sufficiency for low-income households in northwest Wisconsin.

Westfields Hospital Foundation, Inc., New Richmond, WI, $40,000. To provide grief support and resiliency training to youth and staff in the New Richmond and Somerset school districts.

North-Central Wisconsin

Boys & Girls Club of the Wausau Area, Inc., Wausau, WI, $125,000. For general operations and to renovate facilities to provide out-of-school youth development programming.

Northeast Wisconsin

CASA of the Fox Cities, Appleton, WI, $20,000. For general operations to advocate in local court to achieve placement in safe and permanent homes for children who have experienced abuse and neglect.

Catalpa Health, Inc., Appleton, WI, $50,000. For general operations to increase access to pediatric mental health services in Wisconsin.

Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes, Appleton, WI, $50,000. To provide the Girl Scout Leadership Experience for girls in northern Wisconsin.

Habitat For Humanity of Oshkosh, Inc., Oshkosh, WI, $20,000. For general operations to support households of low income to acquire and/or maintain housing.

Life Tools Foundation, Inc., Combined Locks, WI, $10,000. For general operations to provide one-on-one tutoring and skill-building for students of low income.

Mooring Programs, Inc. dba Apricity, Neenah, WI, $50,000. For general operations to provide support services to adults recovering from substance use disorders.

Neighborhood Housing Services Of Green Bay, Inc., Green Bay, WI, $25,000. For the Homebuyer Preparation Program to prepare families for homeownership through housing, financial education, and counseling.

Rainbow House Domestic Abuse Services, Inc., Marinette, WI, $50,000. For general operations to support survivors of domestic violence and their children throughout northeastern Wisconsin.

Sheboygan County Food Bank, Inc., Sheboygan, WI, $25,000. For general operations to increase food security and access in Sheboygan County.

St. Vincent de Paul Society of Appleton, Inc., Appleton, WI, $30,000. For the Basic Needs Program to support families of low income in Appleton.

Wise Women Gathering Place, Inc., Green Bay, WI, $30,000. For general operations to provide advocacy and support services for women experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, and other traumas.

Southwest Wisconsin

Catholic Charities, Inc., Diocese of Madison, Madison, WI, $30,000. For The Beacon Homeless Day Resource Center to provide support services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

Couleecap, Inc., Westby, WI, $83,150. To support food deliveries, address housing barriers, and provide work experiences for low-income and homeless individuals and families.

Family Promise Of Greater Beloit, Inc., Beloit, WI, $60,000. For general operations and renovations to address homelessness by providing basic needs, shelter, and transitional housing support.

Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation, Inc., La Crosse, WI, $24,518. For the purchase of iPads for residents and fellows to increase their efficiency and flexibility in providing care.

Madison-Area Urban Ministry, dba JustDane, Madison, WI, $50,000. For Healing House, a medical recuperative shelter for families experiencing homelessness.

Operation Fresh Start, Madison, WI, $65,000. For general operations to provide education, mentoring, and employment training opportunities for young adults.

Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish dba Catholic Multicultural Center, Madison, WI, $30,000. To provide legal services to low-income immigrants, asylees, and refugees.

The Road Home Dane County, Madison, WI, $50,000. For general operations to provide programs and support services for homeless families in Dane County.

St. Clare Health Mission, La Crosse, WI, $50,000. For general operations to provide access to free healthcare to individuals of low-income in La Crosse.

United Way of Dane County, Madison, WI, $50,000. For Journey Home to provide coordinated reentry services in Dane County.

Southeast Wisconsin

1000 Generations, Inc., Elkhorn, WI, $50,000. For general operations to provide a community-based movement to promote systems of natural support for families in crisis and deflection from child welfare and foster care systems.

Audio & Braille Literacy Enhancement, Inc., Milwaukee, WI, $30,000. For general operations to produce and provide braille and audiobooks for people who are blind or print disabled.

Bethesda Lutheran Communities, Watertown, WI, $200,000. To promote safety, independence, and skill development through smart tech-based affordable housing and supportive services for people with developmental disabilities, seniors, and those at risk of homelessness in Milwaukee.

Boys and Girls Club of Kenosha Inc., Kenosha, WI, $65,000. For general operations to provide youth development and enrichment to at-risk children and youth in Kenosha.

Elmbrook Senior Taxi, Inc., Brookfield, WI, $15,000. For general operations to increase transportation services for seniors and adults with disabilities.

Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, $150,000. For general operations to recover and distribute food to support food programs throughout eastern Wisconsin.

Friends, Inc., West Bend, WI, $35,000. For general operations to provide safe shelter and trauma-informed care for individuals and families experiencing domestic or sexual violence in southwest Wisconsin.

Giving to the Nations Inc, Racine, WI, $10,000. For general operations to provide personal care, baby care, and household cleaning products to address hygiene needs.

Literacy Services of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, $60,000. For general operations to provide adult literacy education, digital literacy, and workforce skills training.

Milwaukee Christian Center, Inc., Milwaukee, WI, $30,000. To provide opportunities, support, and services to assist older adults to remain healthy, living in their own homes, and connected to the community.

Wisconsin Statewide

Wisconsin Philanthropy Network, Inc., Milwaukee, WI, $4,100. For membership support to help donors maximize philanthropic efforts in Wisconsin communities.

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