Otto Bremer Trust

Otto Bremer Trust Community Responsive Fund

In partnership with the Otto Bremer Trust, UW Valley's continues to help direct critical funding to local nonprofits serving our region. This page will provide information on UW Valley's process to administer these funds, including the requirements set by Otto Bremer Trust.

The Community Responsive Fund supports organizations addressing immediate challenges and opportunities in our communities, with a focus on food, shelter, low income healthcare clinics, disability services, and school based mental health. 

Eligibility

Eligibility criteria for OBT Community Responsive grants through UW Valleys are:

• The work must align with the OBT Community Responsive Fund focus areas for 2026 (see below).  
• The organization must be located and doing work in 6-county region, Burnett, Dunn, Pierce, Pepin, Polk and/or St. Croix Counties; a majority of people served by the organization must live in the six-county region.
• 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. 

Grant Terms

• Maximum grant award is $75,000
• Grants cannot be more than 10% of organization’s philanthropic revenue (revenue less government funding, earned income, investment gains, fee for service, and in-kind contributions)
• Funds will be restricted to activities within the focus area. Up to 10% is permitted for administrative costs
• Grant period is anticipated to start October 1, 2026 for a period of one year
  • Funds released mid October, 2026
  • Final grant report due: July 31, 2027; Grant term ends: September 30, 2027  

Focus Areas

Each year, the Otto Bremer Trust identifies focus areas for the Community Responsive Fund that honor the intentions of the founder, Otto Bremer. The 2026 focus areas are:  

• 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. 

Application Process

To be considered for an invitation to apply to the UW Valleys OBT Community Responsive Fund Grant, organizations must first complete the Applicant Eligibility Assessment during the open call period, by May 22, 2026 (deadline extended!). The full application will be extended to organizations on an invitation only basis, based on the evaluation of the completed assessment

A preview of the Applicant Eligibility Assessment is available here.

To help applicants prepare grant submissions, a word template of the application is available here.

Applicants MUST submit the full application and additional documentation in the online Grants Portal to be considered for funding.