46 survey respondents
Location: 30 7th St E, Ste 2900, Saint Paul, 55101 MN
EIN: 41-6019050
82%
18%
12 hours
Median
82%
18%
80%
20%
2017 Deadlines:
Types of Grants Awarded:
Geographic Focus:
For Fiscal Year
Total Assets:
Total Grants:
Change in Assets FY :
Amount of Grants to Minnesota Nonprofits:
Largest Grant:
Smallest Grant:
Average Grant:
Reviewer 665 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2016
The program officer we interacted with was disrespectful, dismissive, and actively misinformed about some of the basic facts that inform our work. They came for a site visit and were bordering on hostile about having to entertain the idea of funding our program: they had a clear personal disinterest in our program which it seems inevitable impacted our chance of funding.
Difficult to work with, Culturally incompetent
Minnesota
Applied and not funded
2016
Bad
We felt unable to address the program officer directly and the power dynamics present in funding make us unable to share this feedback with their supervisors, but would have loved to feel the funder was accessible enough to address this.
Average
They are transitioning away from having subject experts as program officers. While we appreciate the idea in theory, in practice it requires program officers to be open and hold themselves to a higher standard of learning and knowledge, which we have not seen demonstrated.
Experimentation with traditional funder structure
20
Thank you for taking time to provide your insights and feedback.
Reviewer 278 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2016
Program officers at OBT have been remarkable. Most are down to earth, very approachable, and will give a good idea a fighting chance. Their funding priorities are broader than most foundations (poverty), which allows organizations, large and small, to innovate and try new things. Program officers are also diverse, which makes me feel like they relate better with the needs of communities. The only criticism I have is transparency in their staffing and leadership selection. Unfortunately, OBT tends to find themselves in the news for the wrong reasons. All in all, OBT is one of the BEST foundations to work with, hands down!!
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Risk taker, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Funded for lesser amount
2016
Good
Program officers will call you back. But trying to schedule meetings at the highest level is a challenge. I'm not sure how connected the three trustees are in the community.
Mr. Otto Bremer was an immigrant who found success in banking. My challenge to the foundation is to reconnect with his roots by investing more in refugees and immigrants. Minnesota is a hub to some of the largest immigrant groups, namely, Hmong and Somali. With all of the negativity in the news surrounding DACA, undocumented workers, Islamophobia, etc., the Foundation should stand take more leadership in this area.
This is hard to access.
OBT takes risks, which is great for the community. They are able to do that because they don't report to a "parent" corporation or other stakeholders.
16
Reviewer 995 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2017
Our Program Officer is wonderful and very engaged with our mission and program. I understand this is the case with all of his applicants, not just us! Otto Bremer is specific in what they fund and will be direct with you about whether you are a good candidate, if you ask.
Positive leader in the field, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2017
Good
Good
Communicate with your Program Officer, ask them for feedback and input on what you wish to propose.
Communications and follow up.
20
Grant Applicant - applied in 2017
The program officers do a great job at building a relationship with grantees and other community partners. They really seem to view the relationship with grantees as a partnership to address community issues.
Positive leader in the field, Friendly, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Responsive
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Funded for lesser amount
2017
Good
Good
Allow a grant to be submitted once every four quarters rather than once every five quarters.
Bremer recognizes the importance of evaluation but allows flexibility in the method grantees report outcomes.
8
Reviewer 282 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2016
Otto Bremer Trust has a very responsive staff and takes the time to get to know their grantees. They represent true and responsive philanthropy. Ahead of applying, take the time to research their guidelines, timelines, one-grant-at-a-time policy, etc...and then reach out to the foundation ahead of applying. Through their site visits with organizations they dig deep, ask good questions, and really try to understand the organization and/or program. I have great respect for the staff members and leadership of Otto Bremer Trust.
Positive leader in the field, Culturally sensitive, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2016
Good
The staff of Otto Bremer Trust is very responsive. You feel like you are in a true partnership with them and that they really take the time to understand your work.
Good
Over the years, we've changed program officers nearly every year. Overall, we feel like we are building a positive relationship with the foundation but it would be nice to have a bit more consistency year-over-year with program officers.
Otto Bremer Trust seems to authentically engage with their community partners and takes the time to understand their work, the community being served, and challenges and opportunities to the work.
15
Reviewer 211 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2017
Otto Bremer Trust is very good about giving unrestricted funding. While it can be difficult to understand what they are looking for in proposals, they are generally very broad in their grantmaking and do not generally dictate much to grant recipients.
Friendly, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2017
Good
Average
Move to a cycle of funds every 12 months (not 15+ months).
They give consistently year-to-year.
10
Grant Applicant - applied in 2017
Bremer's program managers are wonderful. They are smart, insightful, and have a deep understanding of the practical workings of non-profits. Be well-prepared for the site visit. We have worked with three different program managers and all three were great.
Positive leader in the field, Risk taker, Insightful, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Funded for lesser amount
2017
Good
My program manager sent me follow up questions after the site visit that were thoughtful and intelligent. I hustled to promptly respond and it was worth it. She made suggestions that helped me reframe our grant request and it led to a better grant award.
Good
I don't know about the big picture but we are pleased and proud to be a part of their priorities.
Improve the layout of the online application. The text boxes are ridiculously small and if I recall, it doesn't automatically "save".
Have staff who understand the practicalities of running a non-profit as well as the program's positive impact in the community.
More than 15
Reviewer 209 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2016
Keep applying. We did not get funding the first application. They meet with applicants in person!! The application, funding, reporting cycle is long-do not depend on funding from one year to the next.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Friendly, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
Wisconsin
Current or former grantee
Funded for lesser amount
2016
Good
Good
Will fund out of the box solutions.
Help other funders be like you!
Operational funding!!!!!! Open process and genuine care for supporting the hard to fund admin, marketing, and leadership costs that are critical.
8
Reviewer 215 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2017
Make sure the mission of your organization matches up well to OBT and their priorities. This is one of the top MN Foundations that is doing good in so many communities across the upper midwest. Take time to understand what Otto Bremer was all about. He really wanted to help build better communities. His foundation is walking the walk for Otto. He'd be very proud.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Risk taker, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Funded for lesser amount
2017
Good
Excellent. In fact, almost night and day with many other "top" foundations we work with here in the Greater Twin Cities area. That Otto Bremer Trust's GTC director has committed as much time to stay in touch with us, including meeting with us on a new project...really speaks well of this individual and the organization.
Good
Highly successful. But as their representatives will tell you, they've learned along the way. In the case of program funding, they are careful to target their priorities and fund those who are doing the work and making a difference in the community.
Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to make a capital grant request without jeopardizing our existing program funding. Continue to be candid with grant applicants in terms of your expectations.
OBT casts a wide net and does an excellent job of serving the greater good of the community. They really set the gold standard in many communities. Other large funders who don't get the kind of reviews you'll see Otto Bremer Trust, could / should take some lessons from them. Start with customer service.
They are great about following up. Program managers, grant managers, leaders within the organization. they make themselves available as best they can to answer any questions you might have. There are no dumb questions. You are made to feel important and your org too.
8
Grant Applicant - applied in 2016
Program officers are fabulous and straight forward - build a relationship. They need to fully understand the problem your organization is addressing and how you work. It's worth it to spend extra time making sure they understand what you do.
Positive leader in the field, Risk taker, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Funded for lesser amount
2016
Good
They are vital but one year grants can be challenging for addressing longstanding issues. Our site visit was 2.5 hours long. It means a lot to have program officers who are so invested.
Good
Please consider more multi-year grants.
Understanding the issues that organizations are trying to address. Also, communication with staff ahead of the grant application.
More than 15
