52 survey respondents
Location: 30 7th St E, Ste 2900, Saint Paul, 55101 MN
EIN: 41-6019050
73%
27%
10 hours
Median
74%
26%
72%
28%
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 2865 - Did not apply
If your organization’s annual budget is under $2 million, I would honestly recommend directing your time and resources elsewhere. While the Otto Bremer Trust’s mission emphasizes supporting “people in the Upper Midwest to build healthy, vibrant communities,” especially those most in need, their current funding model doesn’t reflect that inclusivity. The $2 million minimum budget threshold effectively rules out about 80% of nonprofits in Minnesota—particularly smaller, emerging, and community-driven organizations.
This is especially unfortunate because many grassroots and start-up nonprofits are created in direct response to urgent, unmet needs in their communities. They're often founded and led by trusted community members and thought leaders who deeply understand the challenges and opportunities present on the ground. These are precisely the types of organizations that drive equity, innovation, and long-term impact—yet they are excluded under the current criteria.
Unless you are part of a formal collaboration with a larger institution that meets the threshold, your efforts are likely better spent pursuing funders whose priorities and practices are more aligned with the size, agility, and community-centered nature of your work.
Doesn't "get" nonprofits and issues
Minnesota
Did not apply
Other
2025
Average
The Otto Bremer Trust is primarily accessible to large-scale nonprofits, representing only about 20% of organizations in Minnesota. While they are relatively easy to contact, most nonprofits find themselves ineligible due to the high minimum budget requirement of $2 million. This creates a significant barrier for small to mid-sized, community-based organizations seeking support.
Average
While its investments may yield measurable results at scale, its current structure leaves behind the innovative, equity-driven work happening on the ground. In short, the impact is real—but not as equitable or community-centered as the mission suggests it should be.
If I had one piece of advice for the Otto Bremer Trust, it would be to consider revising the grantmaking criteria to better align with the diverse needs of Minnesota’s nonprofit sector.
The Otto Bremer Trust states its mission as supporting “people in the Upper Midwest to build healthy, vibrant communities,” with a focus on those most in need. However, the current grant structure—specifically the minimum budget threshold of $2 million—appears misaligned with that mission. By setting the bar so high, the Trust effectively limits access to just a small fraction of nonprofit organizations in Minnesota, primarily large and well-established institutions (which only impacts approximately 20% of MN non-profits). This excludes a vast majority of community-based, emerging, and locally focused nonprofits that are often closest to the needs of underserved populations. In doing so, the Trust may be unintentionally overlooking the very organizations that are essential to fostering equity, innovation, and resilience at the community level.
One thing the Otto Bremer Trust does really well is providing significant, large-scale funding to established organizations that have the capacity to make a broad, systemic impact. Their grants support organizations capable of executing large initiatives, which can lead to meaningful, long-term change in communities. However, with their current criteria—focused on organizations with budgets over $2 million—they may be missing an opportunity to support smaller, community-based organizations that are often closest to the needs of underserved populations. These smaller nonprofits are well-positioned to drive innovation, equity, and grassroots change, which could complement the Trust’s large-scale efforts and create even more comprehensive, community-driven solutions in which are scalable in the future.
0
Grant Applicant - applied in 2025
Otto Bremer Trust was a strong partner in our work for a decade, providing us with annual grants. They were very relationship based and maintained a wonderful relationship with us. This past year, they unexpectedly changed their funding practices and priorities. The change meant we suddenly were no longer ellibible for their funding. This was a devastating shock after 10 years of a strong relationship and annual reassurance from grant managers that they would never just pull the rug out from under us and that our mission aligned with Otto Bremer's core priorities laid out in the trust. It was incredibly harmful to our organization and harmed over a dozen other organizations in our community.
Doesn't "get" nonprofits and issues, Difficult to work with, Culturally incompetent, Bureaucratic
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Other
2025
Bad
This funder is no longer accessible whatsoever.
Bad
Given that we were told for a decade that our mission aligned closely with Otto Bremer's original instructions and goals for the Trust and then they just pulled funding without any explanation, I would say the Trustee's have clearly deviated from Otto Bremer's original intent for the Trust. I suspect he would be furious with their current actions. It's a real shame.
You have caused serious harm to countless communities. You owe them transparency and repair.
Do not support them or their banks. They have changed from Otto Bremer's original goals for the Trust and caused serious harm to many organizations and communities. It's clear their only goal is profit and they no longer care to give back to communities.
Previously funded for 10 years. No longer funded after sudden change in the Otto Bremer Trust's approach.
Nothing anymore.
8
Reviewer 2967 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2025
We were funded in 2022 before the current changes. The general operations grant we received was a huge help in continuing our mission. The Foundation's current policy of only funding nonprofits with a budget greater than $2mil has meant that we are no longer eligible, along with 80% of the nonprofits in Minnesota. This negatively impacts our ability to offer programming and services and it is frustrating to see so many smaller nonprofits who are on the ground working directly with members of our community, cut off from the possibility of funding. It was already a challenge to find general operations grants, and this is just another barrier for small nonprofits who need the funding.
Doesn't "get" nonprofits and issues
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2025
Bad
Bad
10
Reviewer 6539 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2025
We were fortunate to receive funding from the Otto Bremer Trust for several years. While the grant writing process was time-consuming, it was ultimately worth the effort. In 2024, we were surprised not to receive funding without explanation, though we were invited to reapply that summer — and were successfully funded. Unfortunately, following their recent reorganization, we no longer qualify, as our budget isn't big enough to meet their new standards. It’s disappointing, especially after such a positive, longstanding relationship.
Doesn't "get" nonprofits and issues
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2025
Bad
Their new parameters, as of 2025, will offer funding to organizations with a budget of over 2 million dollars. This makes them out of reach for a majority of nonprofits in our area.
Average
I feel that the changes they have gone through in the last year have put them in a challenging position to reach their goals. We will have to wait and see how things iron out as they restructure and shift their method of funding.
There has been an obvious shift in transparency from this foundation in the last few years. Previously, we felt we had a strong partnership and open communication with related program officers. It has been disappointing to see such a drastic shift away from this.
Previously, we felt like we were accomplishing shared goals in partnership with this foundation. This is no longer the case.
8
Reviewer 3926 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2016
As a very small nonprofit in Mankato trying to improve literacy among New American adults and K-12 students who struggle in their classrooms, the budget requirement of $2,000,000 is horrific. This is true for most of the nonprofits in the area. Good Counsel Learning Center will close in 2-3 years if we don't have a community that rallies around us with funding. How will Bremer support nonprofits in Greater Minnesota????
Mississippi
Applied and not funded
Other
2016
Bad
Bad
We were pleased to have two $20,000 grants in 2014 and 2016. Then the requirements were out of reach.
0
Grant Applicant - applied in 2024
Good luck reaching anyone or getting justification for why they made the shift or why they pulled so much funding from nonprofits.
Inadvertently exerts negative influence in the field, Doesn't "get" nonprofits and issues
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Other
2024
Bad
They are terrible. They used to be very accessible but are no longer.
Bad
Terrible job since they don't even talk to their 2023 grantees about pulling funding in 2024.
Talk to people and support these organizations that you used to support.
One of the largest funders in MN pulled most of its funding from small orgs all over the state. This exerted great negative influence on the field and drove much increased competition for other grants.
Bremer pulled funding from nonprofits all over the state when they switched to an intermediary. They are unreachable and uncommunicative and have created a massive amount of difficulty for small organizations and their clients.
Nothing
10 to 15 hours
Grant Applicant - applied in 2022
We were encouraged to apply and our initial conversation with the foundation was positive. The site visit was brutal - the officer laughed at an item in our budget and said there was no way it could be so low. We have received funding before, but were denied this request this year. This foundation's decisions are made by 2 trustees, which makes it a bit more subjective than other foundations.
Doesn't "get" nonprofits and issues, Difficult to work with
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Other
2022
Good
Average
Funded in past cycles, not funded this year.
They are responsive to emails.
8
Grant Applicant - applied in 2019
It is probably the most user friendly granting foundation, a phone call away, they will walk you through.
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
North Dakota
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2019
Good
Very accessibile
Good
They seem to serve a diverse population. Equality and seeing that all people deserve a fair shot at a good life.
Continue to see the big picture of how these grants make such a difference for people in our communities.
The funder is willing to help you correct or add things you need to do to make your outcomes work for the people you serve.
Walk you through the process.
15
Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
The troubles that the trustees, and the foundation in general, are now experiencing have filtered down to to negatively impact the nonprofits who need them. In Wisconsin especially, there are very few grant dollars available. So the fact that the new process for 2021 is so laborious and taxing to nonprofit staff is difficult to understand. A new portal, new process, new leaders and change in their schedule all exacerbate the COVID/Social unrest/economic down turn/etc...issues of 2020.
Wisconsin
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2020
Average
Bad
simplify the portal process and help us save resources
15
Reviewer 1449 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2019
After reading the other comments here, it seems your experience may vary greatly depending on who you get as a rep. I will say that I've had two different Bremer reps at two different organizations, and both put us through the ringer at the site visit. The first one was an outright bully. He wanted certain data that we hadn't gathered, and when we explained that it was not part of our outcomes, he demanded to know what we expected him to tell the trustees. I revisited the arguments I had made to address every guideline in the proposal, and then he cut me off and said he knows the guidelines! He later apologized, but it was really unprofessional.
The second rep wasn't nearly as hostile, but acted as if she knows more about the work than we do. She also encouraged us to outright choose someone for a volunteer role based on their race. We are more than willing to ensure a diverse applicant pool. But what she was suggesting would be discrimination.
Just be ready for anything at your site visit. Go through your proposal with a fine tooth comb, including your financials, and imagine every question that could be asked.
Inadvertently exerts negative influence in the field, Doesn't "get" nonprofits and issues, Difficult to work with, Culturally incompetent
Minnesota
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2019
Average
I had a lot of trouble with the first rep, who always "had to get back to me later because he was traveling." The second rep has been fine so far.
Average
Once they fund you, they don't stick with you. They are initially generous, but will gradually decrease the amount each year. And if you are growing and have greater need, they will not usually consider an increase.
Examine your internal culture and make sure that reps are treating grantees consistently across the board. Nurture a stance of partnership with grantees, not a "we own you" attitude. When reps nitpick finanancials, it comes off as a lack of trust. And don't take so long between submission and site visit that you have to request updated financials. You are making organizations do double the work with no guarantee of funding.
The proposal is fairly easy and the gifts are generous. Make sure you employ an extreme level of accuracy and carefully proof before submitting because if you make a mistake, they will find it. Overall, it's worth dealing with the reps as a necessary evil. You may get lucky and have one that's respectful.
I think it's good to hold organizations accountable when they have actually failed to deliver on promises. And I think it's good to have well-informed, knowledgeable reps as long as they respect that the organizations providing the services are the experts.
10
