Otto Bremer Trust Community Responsive Fund

Purpose

2026 Community Responsive Fund Grantmaking

We are pleased to announce that we have been selected as an intermediary for the 2026 Otto Bremer Trust (OBT) Community Responsive Fund.

The Otto Bremer Trust engages philanthropic intermediaries to administer grants to organizations for aligned activities through the Otto Bremer Trust Community Responsive Fund. This strategy leverages the knowledge and trust of local, regional, and statewide partners to advance the Trust’s mission to invest in people, places, and opportunities in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.

The Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region identifies nonprofits that meet the eligibility requirements established by the Otto Bremer Trust and will reach out directly to eligible nonprofits with an invitation and instructions to apply.

Reach & Grants

We have been awarded $2.5 million to regrant and have been selected to partner with the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation and the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation, expanding the geographic region for this grant opportunity to Brown, Calumet, Green Lake, Kewaunee, Oconto, Outagamie, Shawano, Waupaca, Waushara, and Winnebago counties.

Each community foundation will conduct their own invitation and application process. The Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region identifies nonprofits that meet the eligibility requirements established by the Otto Bremer Trust and will reach out directly to eligible nonprofits with an invitation and instructions to apply.

Focus

The Otto Bremer Trust’s Community Responsive Fund will support general operating, project, and capital support grants for the following funding priorities:

Food. Organizations and programs that directly operate meal sites and food pantries to meet basic daily needs. (Large, region- and state-wide food bank activities are not included.)
Shelter. Organizations and programs that provide short-term and emergency shelter beds for people who are housing insecure or facing homelessness.
Low-income healthcare clinics. Organizations and programs that primarily provide affordable medical, dental, and mental health services to people with limited financial resources or who are uninsured/underinsured.
Disability services. Organizations and programs that support people with physical/cognitive disabilities.
School-based mental health. Organizations and programs that have established school-based mental health services.

Criteria

The Otto Bremer Trust provides intermediaries with base eligibility criteria for grantees:

The work must align with the OBT Community Responsive Fund focus areas for 2026.
Beneficiaries of the grants must reside in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and/or Wisconsin.
The organization must have a 501(c)(3) determination from the IRS. (Government entities, including public schools, are not eligible. Non-public schools are eligible.)
The organization must have at least five years of successful operations during which they have continuously held 501(c)(3) status.
The organization must complete annual audited financial statements prepared by an independent CPA.
The organization’s last fiscal year’s actual expenses must have been $2 million or more, excluding in-kind expenses.
Grant funds are not to be used for work to influence public policy, annual events, event sponsorships, or fiscal sponsorships.
The organization may not have an open OBT strategic grant.