The Otto Bremer Trust is a private charitable trust based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Founded in 1944 by Otto Bremer, a German immigrant and former chairman of the American National Bank, the organization operates as a perpetual philanthropic institution dedicated to supporting communities across the Upper Midwest. Since its founding, the Trust has granted over $1 billion to advance its mission.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$68.5M
-28.1% YoY
Grant Count
883
-22.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$78K
-6.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Otto Bremer Trust's mission is to invest in people, places, and opportunities in its region. This mission reflects the founder's vision and longstanding commitment to communities, particularly demonstrated during and after the Great Depression. The Trust operates with the principle that "Good Lives Here."
The organization's grantmaking focuses on:
- Education
- Human Services
- Philanthropy and Voluntarism
Grantmaking
The Otto Bremer Trust employs a two-pronged approach to grantmaking:
Average Grant
amount: $69,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Otto Bremer Trust serves Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. The organization's structure reflects the challenges and opportunities found throughout these four states. Approximately 90% of all grants support organizations in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota, though grantmaking reaches organizations across 18 states.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2024):
- Total Assets: $1.42 billion
- Total Revenue: $89.4 million
- Total Expenses: $93.9 million
- Total Liabilities: $13.4 million
- Total Giving: $68.5 million
Historical Asset Growth:
- 2011: $848.3 million
- 2023: $1.5 billion
Annual Income (2024): $171.6 million
The organization is tax-exempt as a 501(c)(3) entity, with tax-exempt status granted in August 1949. Donations to the Trust are tax-deductible.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Otto Bremer Trust
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include American Cancer Society Inc ($1,000,000), Apple Tree Dental ($250,000), Avenues for Youth ($250,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 GENERATIONS INC DBA SAFE FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN WISCONSIN ELKHORN, WI | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $55,000 |
| 360 COMMUNITIES BURNSVILLE, MN | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $15,000 |
| 360 COMMUNITIES BURNSVILLE, MN | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $55,000 |
| A CHANCE TO GROW INC MINNEAPOLIS, MN | A CHANCE TO GROW: SMART STEPS EXPANSION | $40,000 |
| A PLACE FOR HOPE RECOVERY AND WELLNESS CENTER INC MOORHEAD, MN | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $25,000 |
| A PLACE TO BELONG FERGUS FALLS, MN | GENERAL OPERATIONS FOR RURAL MENTAL HEALTH | $5,000 |
| ABUSE RESOURCE NETWORK LISBON, ND | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $40,000 |
| ACHIEVE TWIN CITIES MINNEAPOLIS, MN | CAREER AND COLLEGE INITIATIVE | $80,000 |
| ADVOCACY CENTER OF WINONA WINONA, MN | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $25,000 |
| ADVOCATES FOR REPRODUCTIVE EDUCATION BRAINERD, MN | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $45,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The Otto Bremer Trust is governed by three Trustees who manage, operate, and maintain all aspects of the organization:
- Caroline Johnson — Trustee
- Francis Miley — Co-CEO and Trustee
- Daniel Reardon — Co-CEO and Trustee
The Trustees have fiduciary obligation and are empowered to ensure that all Trust activities serve charitable purposes as articulated in the Trust Agreement.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHARLOTTE JOHNSON | CO-CEO/TRUSTEE | 40 | $399,267 |
| FRANCIS MILEY | CO-CEO/TRUSTEE | 40 | $673,174 |
| DANIEL REARDON | CO-CEO/TRUSTEE | 40 | $686,229 |
| CAROLINE JOHNSON | CO-CEO/TRUSTEE | 40 | $269,928 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**January 2026:** Otto Bremer Trust awarded $17.4 million in grants
Otto Bremer Trust awards $17.4 million in grants**October 2025:** Otto Bremer Trust awarded $12.4 million in grants and program support
Otto Bremer Trust awards $17.4 million in grants**January 2025:** Otto Bremer Trust awarded $15 million in 43 strategic grants
Otto Bremer Trust awards $17.4 million in grants**October 2023:** Otto Bremer Trust awarded 206 grants totaling $17.3 million
Otto Bremer Trust awards $17.4 million in grantsSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Otto Bremer Trust fund?
The Otto Bremer Trust's mission is to invest in people, places, and opportunities in its region. This mission reflects the founder's vision and longstanding commitment to communities, particularly demonstrated during and after the Great Depression. The Trust operates with the principle that "Good Lives Here." The organization's grantmaking focuses on: • Education • Human Services • Philanthropy and Voluntarism
How do I apply for a grant from Otto Bremer Trust?
The Otto Bremer Trust employs a two-pronged approach to grantmaking: 1. **Strategic Grants** — Initiated and provided directly by the Trust 2. **Community Responsive Fund Grants** — Administered through selected intermediaries **Grant Characteristics:** • Typical grant awards range from $3,500 to $3,640,000 • Median grant amount: $50,000 • Average grant amount: $69,000 • Individual grants have ranged from $1,000 to $3.6 million **Application Process:** The Otto Bremer Trust does not accept gran…
Where does Otto Bremer Trust make grants?
The Otto Bremer Trust serves Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. The organization's structure reflects the challenges and opportunities found throughout these four states. Approximately 90% of all grants support organizations in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota, though grantmaking reaches organizations across 18 states.
What size grants does Otto Bremer Trust award?
In 2024, Otto Bremer Trust awarded 883 grants totaling $68.5M — an average of about $78K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Otto Bremer Trust's EIN?
Otto Bremer Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-6019050. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Otto Bremer Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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