Bremer Emergency Fund Provides $4.2 Million to Help Community Organizations Meet Critical Needs
Joint response by Otto Bremer Foundation and Bremer Bank provides direct financial assistance to individuals and families in Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin
St. Paul, Minn. - January 21, 2009 - Providing $4.2 million in emergency financial assistance to families and individuals who are struggling to provide basics such as food, stable housing, health care and reliable transportation is the goal of the Bremer Emergency Fund. A joint effort of the Otto Bremer Foundation and Bremer Bank, the Fund is a direct financial response to current economic challenges. The grants were given to 81 community organizations in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.
“We recognize that timely financial assistance can sometimes make the difference between instability and security, enabling families and individuals to meet emergency needs and retain housing or jobs,” said William Lipschultz, Foundation Trustee. “Once people are able to meet their basic needs and avert a crisis situation, they are in a better position to access community programs that can help them achieve long-term economic stability.”
The Bremer Emergency Fund honors the legacy and vision of Foundation and Bank founder, Otto Bremer, who believed that people could survive and flourish if they had help at critical times. In the 1930s, during the Great Depression, Bremer liquidated many of his personal assets to help the “countryside” banks in which he had invested ride out the hard times.
“These are unprecendented times and we wanted to step up with a unique response that met the direct needs of our communities,” said Stan Dardis, chief executive officer of Bremer Financial Corporation. “These grants truly represent a helping hand to those who are most in need during a very difficult time. I invite other individuals and businesses to offer a helping hand to someone who is struggling – our whole community is the healthier for your support!”
The following is a sample list of organizations that received funding from the Bremer Emergency Fund:
MINNESOTA
Basilica of Saint Mary, Minneapolis, $75,000
Bi-County Community Action Programs, Bemidji, $26,400
Catholic Charities, Minneapolis, $99,969
Central Minnesota Community Foundation, St. Cloud, $100,000
Children’s Home Society and Family Services, St. Paul, $40,000
Church of St. Joan of Arc, Minneapolis, $20,000
CLUES, Chicanos Latinos Unidos en Servicio, St. Paul, $40,000
Community Action for Suburban Hennepin, Hopkins, $71,300
Dakota County Community Services, West St. Paul, $100,000
Face to Face Health and Counseling Service, St. Paul, $25,000
Hmong American Partnership, St. Paul, $50,000
Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners, Wayzata, $20,000
Keystone Community Services, St. Paul, $55,000
Merrick Community Services, St. Paul, $40,000
Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center, Minneapolis, $25,000
Neighbors, South St. Paul, $20,000
Otter Tail-Wadena Community Action, Fergus Falls, $50,000
Red Lake Homeless Shelter, Red Lake, $75,175
Sabathani Community Center, Minneapolis, $35,000
The Salvation Army, Roseville, $100,000 (Metro counties, including Sherburne, Wright and Chisago counties)
The Salvation Army, Roseville, $6,000 (Aitkin County)
The Salvation Army, Roseville, $49,000 (Alexandria, Douglas County)
The Salvation Army, Roseville, $5,000 (Crookston, Polk County)
The Salvation Army, Roseville, $17,000 (Detroit Lakes, Becker County)
The Salvation Army, Roseville, $15,000 (Marshall, Lyon County)
The Salvation Army, Roseville, $20,000 (Milaca, Princeton, Mille Lacs County)
The Salvation Army, Roseville, $35,000 (Morris, Stevens County)
The Salvation Army, Roseville, $6,000 (Redwood Falls, Redwood County)
The Salvation Army, Roseville, $15,000 (Starbuck, Pope County)
The Salvation Army, Willmar, $50,000
The Salvation Army, Brainerd Corps, Brainerd, $20,000
The Salvation Army, St. Cloud Corps, St. Cloud, $25,000
St. Louis Park Emergency Program, St. Louis Park, $100,000
St. Stephen’s Human Services, Minneapolis, $80,000
Tri-County Community Action Program, Little Falls, $48,300
Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Crookston, $100,000
Urban Partnership and Community Development Center, St. Paul, $50,248
Valley Outreach, Stillwater, $57,600
West Central Minnesota Communities Action, Elbow Lake, $100,000
NORTH DAKOTA
Community Action Opportunities, Minot, $43,000
Community Violence Intervention Center, Grand Forks, $3,500
Dakota Prairie Community Action Agency, Devils Lake, $59,562
Northlands Rescue Mission, Grand Forks, $5,000
Red River Valley Community Action, Grand Forks, $60,000
Richland County Social Services, Wahpeton, $30,000
The Salvation Army, Grand Forks, $60,000
The Salvation Army, Fargo/Moorhead, Fargo, $25,000 (Cass, Clay County)
The Salvation Army, Minot, Minot, $30,000
Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Grand Forks, Grand Forks, $70,000
Southeastern North Dakota Community Action Agency, Fargo, $100,000
WISCONSIN
Dunn County Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers, Menomonie, $50,000
Indianhead Community Action Agency, Head Start Program, Ladysmith, $58,000
Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Governing Board, Hayward, $10,000
The Salvation Army, Washburn, $100,000 (St. Croix County)
The Salvation Army, Washburn, $30000 (Bayfield and Ashland counties)
The Salvation Army, Balsam Lake, $70,000 (Polk County)
The Salvation Army, Balsam Lake, $30,000 (Washburn County)
West Central Wisconsin Community Action Agency, Glenwood City, $100,000
The Otto Bremer Foundation
The Otto Bremer Foundation was created in 1944 as a philanthropic resource for Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin. Dividends coming from the Foundation’s primary asset, Bremer banks, provide the resources to fund the Foundation’s grant-making activities. By listening to local voices and convening residents around common issues, the Foundation gives more than $30 million annually, responding flexibly to requests that are unique to each community. Preference in grantmaking is given to those communities served by Bremer banks.
Bremer Financial Corporation
Bremer Financial Corporation is a privately-held, $7.6 billion regional financial services company jointly owned by its employees and the Otto Bremer Foundation (OBF). This unique ownership structure is the only one of its kind in the nation. Founded in 1943 by Otto Bremer, the company is headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota and provides a comprehensive range of banking, investment, trust and insurance services to more than 100 locations in Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin. OBF uses its share of dividends to distribute charitable grants to Bremer bank communities. For more information, go to bremer.com.