Otto Bremer Trust
Accepts applications
Otto Bremer Trust is a private foundation in St Paul, Minnesota. In tax year 2025 it gave $58.2 million in 180 grants; the typical grant was $150,000 and the largest $4.2 million. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$58.2 million
- Number of grants180
- Typical grant$150,000
- Largest grant$4.2 million
- Assets$1.5 billion
- New grantees38%
Giving in 2025 was down from $79.2 million the year before.
38% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $112 million | 1,145 | $1.7 billion |
| 2024 | $79.2 million | 883 | $1.4 billion |
| 2025 | $58.2 million | 180 | $1.5 billion |
How to apply
| Contact | Otto Bremer Trust 30 East 7th Street, St Paul, MN 55101 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (651) 227-8036 |
| What to submit, deadlines, restrictions | See grant guidelines at www.ottobremer.org |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Otto Bremer Trust funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 8 states, the most to Minnesota.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 103 | $32.9 million |
| Wisconsin | 42 | $14.8 million |
| Montana | 19 | $6.3 million |
| North Dakota | 9 | $2.9 million |
| Washington | 1 | $250,000 |
| District of Columbia | 3 | $48,500 |
| Illinois | 2 | $30,150 |
| New York | 1 | $12,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Greater Twin Cities United Way | Community responsive fund | $4.2 million |
| Initiative Foundation | Community responsive fund | $3.1 million |
| Greater Milwaukee Foundation Inc | Community responsive fund | $3.1 million |
| United Way of Wisconsin | Community responsive fund | $2.1 million |
| Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region | Community responsive fund | $1.6 million |
| Montana Community Foundation Inc | Community responsive fund | $1.6 million |
| University of Minnesota Foundation | Community-university health care center capital project | $1.3 million |
| Allina Health Foundation | Healthcare capital | $1.3 million |
| North Dakota Community Foundation | Community responsive fund | $1.1 million |
| Mayo Clinic | Hospital capital project | $1.0 million |
| Montana Children's Home & Hospital DBA Shodair Childrens Hospital | Mental health services | $1.0 million |
| Froedtert Hospital Foundation | Hospital bed tower campaign | $1.0 million |
| Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota | Homeless youth services | $1.0 million |
| Union Gospel Mission Association of St Paul | Address poverty in st. Paul | $750,000 |
| Community of Recovering People Inc DBA the Retreat | The retreat building community project | $750,000 |
| The Basilica Landmark | Capital campaign | $750,000 |
| Goodwill Industries Inc DBA Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota | New service center | $750,000 |
| Eagle Mount | Capital campaign - campus of the future | $750,000 |
| Hennepin Health Foundation | Center for addiction medicine | $600,000 |
| St Mary's University of Minnesota | Capital campaign - campus of the future and scholarships | $600,000 |
| Montana Food Bank Network | Food distribution | $500,000 |
| Mercy Medical Foundation | Healthcare capital | $500,000 |
| American Cancer Society Inc | Rochester and minneapolis hope lodges | $500,000 |
| Lakeview Health Foundation | Healthcare capital | $500,000 |
| Groves Academy | Impact cohort | $500,000 |
| Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation Inc | Hospital capital project | $500,000 |
| Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of St Paul and Minneapolis | Dorothy day campus support for our neighbors in need | $500,000 |
| Marshfield Clinic Health System Foundation Inc | Hospital capital project | $500,000 |
| Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of St Paul and Minneapolis | To relieve poverty in st. Paul. | $500,000 |
| Hospital Sisters of St Francis Foundation DBA HSHS St Vincent-St Mary's | Hospital capital project | $500,000 |
| Community Dental Care Inc | New st. Paul clinic campaign | $500,000 |
| Second Harvest Heartland Inc | Food programs | $450,000 |
| University of Minnesota Foundation | Rural physician scholarships | $450,000 |
| Wilderness Inquiry Inc | Youth development and community recreation | $420,000 |
| Kenosha Community Health Center DBA Pillar Health | Clinic capital project | $400,000 |
| Billings Clinic Foundation | Healthcare capital | $400,000 |
| St Patrick Hospital Foundation DBA Providence Montana Health Foundation | General operations | $400,000 |
| Great Plains Food Bank | Food programs | $350,000 |
| Montana Rescue Mission | Food and shelter programs | $350,000 |
| True Friends | General operations and capital | $350,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Francis Miley
- Daniel Reardon
- Caroline Johnson
Questions people ask
Does Otto Bremer Trust accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: See grant guidelines at www.ottobremer.org.
How much does Otto Bremer Trust give?
$58.2 million in tax year 2025, across 180 grants, with a typical grant of $150,000.
Who runs Otto Bremer Trust?
Its 2025 filing lists Francis Miley (Co-Ceo/Trustee), Daniel Reardon (Co-Ceo/Trustee) and Caroline Johnson (Co-Ceo/Trustee).
What does Otto Bremer Trust fund?
Based on its grants, mainly health, human services and education.