Otto Bremer Trust (OBT) Community Responsive Fund

2025 OBT Community Responsive Fund

The North Dakota Community Foundation (NDCF) was selected by the Otto Bremer Trust (OBT) as a philanthropic intermediary partner to administer and distribute funds through its 2025 Community Responsive Fund. Under the partnership, NDCF will work closely with OBT to administer $1 million in funds for grants up to $75,000 to support local organizations that directly respond to immediate challenges and opportunities in the state.

Qualified applicants and projects must fall under one of OBT's focus areas to receive a grant.

Focus Areas for 2025 OBT Community Responsive Fund Grants:

• Literacy.  Organizations and programs advancing literacy.  OBT considers literacy through the lens of reading, writing, speaking, and other language skills needed to navigate civic, social, and economic systems.  These can include early childhood literacy, tutoring programs, adult basic education, English as a second language, and so forth.  
• Adoption and foster care services.  Organizations and programs that support adoption and foster care.
• Children's health.  Organizations and programs that provide health-related access and services for children.
• Children's disability services.  Organizations and programs focused on supporting children with physical/cognitive disabilities.
• Mental health.  Organizations and programs that support access to and delivery of mental health services, with preference given to work that addresses the needs of children aged 5-15.
• Capital projects for hospitals and clinics.  Activities supporting the maintenance of hospitals, construction of facilities, and purchase of medical equipment.

OBT Community Responsive Fund grants may not be used for:

• Work to influence public policy 
• Sponsorships or annual events
• Fiscal sponsorships
• Regranting

Local nonprofits, organizations, and groups may apply for funding from the OBT’s Community Responsive Fund through NDCF by clicking the button at the bottom of this page. Qualified applicants will be doing work in one of the six focus areas identified above.  There are additional eligibility requirements and funding criteria.  If you are interested in applying, please carefully review the revised guidelines to ensure you meet the new qualifications.

Download the 2025 OBT CRF Grant Guidelines here.

For more information, contact Kevin at 701-222-8349.

The Otto Bremer Trust is a private charitable trust based in St. Paul, Minn. Created in 1944 by business and community leader Otto Bremer, it is committed to supporting an enhanced quality of life for residents of Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. Since its founding, Otto Bremer Trust has invested more than $1 billion in its region’s people, places, and opportunities.

Application Process

Step 1 - Review

Review the grant guidelines below to make sure your organization qualifies. If you aren’t sure, or if you have questions, please call Kevin at 701-222-8349 or email Kevin@NDCF.net. 

Basic criteria for organizations to apply to the OBT Community Responsive Fund:

• 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.  No fiscal sponsorships may be utilized.)
• The work must align with one or more OBT Community Responsive Fund focus areas for 2025.
• Most grants will be awarded to organizations with at least five years of successful operations. (Up to 5 grants can be awarded to organizations working in the six focus areas that have less than five years of successful operations.)
• OBT's priority is to award grants to organizations with more than $2 million in actual expenses in the last fiscal year.  (Up to 5 grants can be awarded to organizations working in the six focus areas that have less than $2 million in actual expenses.)
• The beneficiaries of grantees must primarily reside in ND.
• The organization may not have an open OBT strategic grant (They MAY have been a recipient of a 2024 Otto Bremer Trust Community Responsive Fund grant from NDCF.)
• Grant recipients will be selected by the North Dakota Community Foundation with final approval by Trustees of the Otto Bremer Trust.
• Grant awards can be of varying amounts, up to $75,000
• Grantees must complete NDCF’s final report and share impact data with NDCF.

Step 2 - Register

Log in to our Grants Portal or create a new account if you are a new applicant. You will need your organization’s name, EIN, and executive officer's name. Be sure to write down your user name (email address) and password. 

Click on the button to go to NDCF's Grants Portal

Step 3 – Complete Your Application

After registering or logging in, follow the Apply tab at the top of the page. Scroll through the list and click “Apply” to the right of the grant program entitled "OBT - Community Responsive Fund". You will be able to save your application and return later to complete it. The deadline for submitting an application is April 30. Any applications still in draft mode after April 30 will be deleted. 

The Grants Review Committee will review all applications and forward recommendations to OBT for their review.  Applicants will be notified of funding decisions in late August/early September.

Please read all guidelines before submitting an application.