More than $1.7 million awarded to organizations in Wisconsin

​​​ST. PAUL, August 11, 2022 — The Otto Bremer Trust has awarded $14,684,680 in grants and program-related investments as part of its most recent grantmaking cycle.

“Our commitment to people and organizations across the region is reflected in the variety of investments OBT made in this latest grantmaking round,” said Charlotte S. Johnson, co-CEO and trustee.

The Otto Bremer Trust is a private charitable trust based in St. Paul, Minn. Created in 1944 by Otto Bremer, it is one of the nation’s largest philanthropic organizations and is committed to supporting a better quality of life for residents of Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. Since its founding, OBT has invested nearly $1 billion in people, places, and opportunities in its region. Visit ottobremer.org.

Below is a list of grants awarded to organizations throughout Wisconsin. See the full release on our website for a complete list of grants awarded.

Northwest Wisconsin

The Brick Ministries, Inc., Ashland, WI, $50,000. For general operations to provide short-term assistance to economically disadvantaged individuals in Ashland and Bayfield Counties.

Forward Horizons, Inc., Ashland, WI, $10,000. For general operations to provide supportive services to individuals with developmental disabilities in Ashland and Bayfield Counties.

Hope Village-Tiny Housing Alternatives Inc, Chippewa Falls, WI, $15,000. For general operations to support and guide unsheltered individuals and families of Chippewa County, Wisconsin, to stable housing using a program of sheltering, mentoring, and educating.

Jackson County Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers, Inc., Black River Falls, WI, $50,000. For general operations to provide services to help people age in place with independence and grace, and for capital to support the completion of a new service center.

Kinship of Polk County, Inc., Balsam Lake, WI, $30,000. For general operations to provide mentoring relationships for youth in the Polk County area.

Mental Health Task Force of Polk County, Saint Croix Falls, WI, $15,000. For general operations to improve mental health in the community through education and collaborative programming.

North Country Independent Living, Inc., Superior, WI, $30,000. To provide necessary transportation services for individuals with disabilities in northwestern Wisconsin.

Northwest Connection Family Resources, Hayward, WI, $85,000. For general operations to increase availability, affordability, and quality of child care in northwest Wisconsin.

Operation HELP, Inc., Hudson, WI, $250,000. For general operations and a capital campaign to provide food, emergency financial assistance, and other basic needs support to individuals and families in the St. Croix Valley.

The Wellness Shack, Inc., Eau Claire, WI, $30,000. For general operations to improve the lives and mental health of Chippewa Valley residents through peer support, education, and a safe place to engage with others.

North-Central Wisconsin

Mission of Hope House of Wisconsin, Inc., New London, WI, $40,000. For general operations to provide emergency shelter, basic needs, and support services to families experiencing poverty and homelessness in the Fox Valley.

Northeast Wisconsin

Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Central Wisconsin, Neenah, WI, $60,000. For general operations to provide one-to-one mentoring relationships with youth in east-central Wisconsin.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Fond du Lac County, Fond Du Lac, WI, $20,000. For general operations to provide one-to-one mentoring relationships with youth.

Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, Appleton, WI, $60,000. To provide leadership development and organizational effectiveness trainings for nonprofits in the Fox Valley.

Fox Valley Literacy Council, Inc., Appleton, WI, $35,000. For general operations to provide community-based literacy programs to improve skills and networks necessary for academic and career advancement.

Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity, Menasha, WI, $60,000. For general operations to help families build and improve their homes.

Greater Green Bay YMCA, Inc., Green Bay, WI, $50,000. For the purchase of critical infrastructure equipment to provide youth development and enrichment programming at Camp U-Nah-Li-Ya .

Reach Counseling Services, Neenah, WI, $60,000. For general operations to provide culturally responsive sexual assault services, outreach, prevention, victim advocacy, trauma counseling, and sex offender treatment.

The Salvation Army, Hoffman Estates, IL, $40,000. To provide case management to prevent homelessness and intergenerational poverty.

Southwest Wisconsin

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of La Crosse, Inc., La Crosse, WI, $25,000. To provide legal and integration support services to immigrants throughout western and central Wisconsin.

Cia Siab, Inc., La Crosse, WI, $55,000. For general operations to provide intergenerational programming and wraparound services for the Hmoob community in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

Great Rivers United Way, Inc., Onalaska, WI, $75,000. To support Great Rivers HUB to improve health, meet social determinant-related needs, and increase school engagement of youth and families.

Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin Inc., Milwaukee, WI, $90,000. To provide access to reproductive health services and education in western Wisconsin.

The Salvation Army, La Crosse, WI, $50,000. To provide social services, shelter, and resources to support unsheltered individuals in their pathway toward permanent housing.

Wisconsin Literacy, Inc., Madison, WI, $125,000. For general operations to provide support and training to statewide literacy partners serving adults and families with limited to low literacy.

YWCA of Madison, Madison, WI, $60,000. To provide transitional housing to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Madison, Wisconsin.

Southeast Wisconsin

Adult Learning Center, Milwaukee, WI, $25,000. For general operations to provide adult basic education, GED instruction, technology, and job skill training.

Agrace Hospice Care Foundation, Inc., Janesville, WI, $50,000. To provide grief support services and programming to the community.

Friedens Community Ministries, Inc., Milwaukee, WI, $25,000. For general operations to provide emergency food, community resources, food and health education, and advocacy.

Junior Achievement of Wisconsin, Inc., Milwaukee, WI, $55,000. For general operations to provide financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and work readiness programming for K-12 students in Wisconsin.

La Causa, Inc, Milwaukee, WI, $50,000. For support of crisis nursery and respite to prevent child abuse and neglect.

Repairers of the Breach, Inc., Milwaukee, WI, $20,000. For general operations to provide basic needs, services, and programming to combat homelessness.

Young Men's Christian Association of Kettle Moraine, West Bend, WI, $60,000. To provide mental health services and support to youth participating in youth programming.