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:
Grant Applicant
Geographic match is key, then having a conversation with a program officer to understand their perspective on your work.
Positive leader in the field, Builds relationships, Likes site visits
Current or former grantee
More than 15
Reviewer 827 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2017
The site visit with the program officer is super important. They make your case on your behalf to the three trustees. After doing so, the three trustees shut the proverbial door and make their decisions. Often the program officers can provide no additional context or information on the result of funding decisions because they are excluded from that last step. Also, the Trust is using the word "responsive" a lot lately to describe their grantmaking. They're backing away from their former multi-year funding so that future commitments don't tie up their own charitable dollars and limit their ability to be "responsive" to needs of nonprofits in real time.
Gives more than money, Builds relationships, Likes site visits
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Funded for lesser amount
2017
Average
The program officers are very accessible, though their decision-making power is limited. The trustees are not accessible. There is another set of implicit rules for how to be successful in soliciting grant funding that are not a part of their formal materials on their website.
Good
Multi-year funding is critical to nonprofits, especially smaller nonprofits that don't often have the internal resources to administratively support the work for managing grants that focus on the "shiny new penny" and all of the tracking and reporting they require.
The Program Officers are very thoughtful, available, committed professionals who go the literal extra mile to ensure meaningful relationships are established in the communities they are serving.
Reviewer 793 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2016
This is a pretty responsive funder, but it depends a lot on which staff you talk to as to what your experience will be.
Culturally sensitive, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Responsive
Minnesota
Applied and not funded
2016
Good
Bremer is very good at responding to calls and emails - it might take a little while, but you will likely get a response. Try again if you don't hear back
Good
Bremer has changed its structure in the past few years and it has resulted in some changes for the worse, but they are still focused on funding smaller and mid-size nonprofits who most need support. And the provide gen op!
Please keep the gen op funding option
Different staff are assigned to different topic areas and geographic areas
Thorough site visits with good feedback and advice
Grant Applicant - applied in 2016
Make a call or write a letter to introduce yourself. Work towards a making a relationship with the officers. Impact on the community!
Positive leader in the field, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Builds relationships, Openminded, Responsive
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2016
Good
Good
na
na
They communicate well about your current grant request and talk through options clearly with you.
Reviewer 568 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2017
They welcome calls and emails and are highly responsive. The online application is easy to use though the character limit can be challenging at first. It forces you to refine your message and really consider the maxim that "less is more."
Positive leader in the field, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, Openminded, Responsive
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Funded for lesser amount
2017
Good
Good
This funder is very clear in its mission and is a bedrock of support for many of us.
Continue to be crystal clear in communication. If there are big changes in terms of funding priorities, let current grantees know enough in advance to plan around those changes.
No.
Highly professional staff team. Know your stuff because they know theirs! You must be prepared for a site visit, don't skate through it. Be thoughtful and thorough.
They are responsive and realistic. They work hard to represent your application and ask as best they can to the decision makers. They've asked for additional information to help make that case and the process has always been, in our experience, more of a partnership.
Grant Applicant - applied in 2016
One of the most friendly, understanding and supportive foundations we have ever worked with. Make sure you fit their mission focus.
Positive leader in the field, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2016
Good
Very accessible and friendly.
Good
They are very dedicated to getting out and visiting the agencies they fund. They want to know your agency and understand your needs.
Convince other foundations to be like you.
Everything.
