2015 Annual Report Otto Bremer’s vision and longstanding commitment to communities during and after the Great Depression endure today through the work of the .

We sustain the legacy of our founder by investing in people, places and opportunities in the Upper Midwest. OTTO BREMER TRUST Annual Report 2015

LETTER FROM Our THE TRUSTEES New Logo

The Otto Bremer Trust: This new mission statement is one Investing in People, Places manifestation of several changes we put and Opportunities in the in motion following our 70th anniversary in 2014. Organizationally, we realigned Upper Midwest our philanthropic leadership into seven regions spanning , Words on a page mean nothing unless they and western , with a dedicated convey an ultimate truth: when combined staff member to serve as each region’s point in a compelling way they can be a tool for person. We have also increased our program- innovative and powerful action. Our name related investments, identifying community and new mission statement contain such needs that we believe can significantly words. Our name acknowledges the man benefit from innovative financing. whose vision has been the driving force for significant community investments for more This evolution of purpose drove the than 70 years. The word Trust speaks to the need to update and expand our mission obligation of the Trustees to fulfill statement. Investing in People, Places Otto Bremer’s aspirations for the region. and Opportunities in the Upper Midwest In our mission statement, the word recognizes not only the individuals and Investing captures the essence of the communities of the region where we have core work of the Otto Bremer Trust. operated, but also the increasingly diverse needs of dynamic organizations throughout The Otto Bremer Trust logomark is The structure of the Trust is complex, yet the region which present unique and inspired by the geographic locations of simple. We are charged with the oversight compelling opportunities for the Trust’s the Trust’s activities — with the circles of banking, investment and philanthropic investment. Our response is to build upon marking the corners of North Dakota, activities that have paved the way for and expand our knowledge of the issues and Minnesota and Wisconsin on a grid that significant and enduring community challenges facing these communities and suggests both scope and connection. commitments over the years. The Trust’s help make a measurable and meaningful This geographic “map” is enhanced by primary holding, Bremer Bank, with impact for positive change. the repetition of the gold color used both assets now greater than $10 billion, is a for the mark and the word ‘Trust.’ model of sound banking practices and Our expectations for these community outstanding commitment to stakeholders. investments are similar to those of our Our investment portfolio and its careful financial investments—long-term positive management generate additional resources returns will be measurable indications of that support our strategic goals. community growth and individuals moving forward. With prudent management of all our investments, both financial and philanthropic, we can expect to continue to grow our assets for even greater philanthropic distributions in the future. This is what Otto Bremer envisioned.

Charlotte S. Johnson S. Brian Lipschultz Daniel C. Reardon CO–CEO CO–CEO CO–CEO AND TRUSTEE AND TRUSTEE AND TRUSTEE OTTO BREMER TRUST Annual Report 2015

The Otto Bremer Trust, based in St. Paul, Minnesota, is one of the nation’s largest 2015 charitable trusts. Created in 1944 by banker and community leader Otto Bremer, the Trust was established to perpetuate his life’s work of growing his investments GRANTS in community banks, which over time evolved into OBT’s 92 percent ownership of OVERVIEW Bremer Bank and a portfolio of other investments. From modest beginnings, OBT has made over half a billion dollars in grants and program-related investments to nonprofit organizations in Minnesota, North Dakota and western Wisconsin, with assets exceeding $900 million. OBT seeks to build healthy, vibrant communities. We do this by investing in people, places and opportunities in the Upper Midwest. In 2015 the Trust made over $45 million in grants and program-related investments that were distributed to more than 500 organizations in our region. Nearly 70 percent of these awards went to communities, regional centers and metropolitan areas in the Greater Bremer region. The balance went to organizations throughout the metro area of Minneapolis-St. Paul.

TWIN CITIES WESTERN RED RIVER CENTRAL AND NORTHERN METROPOLITAN AREA NORTH DAKOTA REGION MINNESOTA $16,649,017 $2,857,478 $3,081,709 $2,727,151 252 GRANTS AND PRIs 44 GRANTS 54 GRANTS 45 GRANTS Arden Hills, Brooklyn Center, Aitkin, Baxter, Brainerd, Bismarck, Carrington, Devils MN Eagan, Eden Prairie, Edina, Breckenridge, Crookston, Detroit International Falls, Princeton, Lake, Max, Minnewaukan, Minot, Inver Grove Heights, Lakeville, Lakes, Fisher, Moorhead, Warren Rice, Sartell, Sauk Rapids, Richardton, Rugby Maplewood, Minneapolis, St. Cloud ND Minnetonka, Plymouth, Richfield, Casselton, Fargo, Fordville, Gilby, Roseville, South St. Paul, St. Grafton, Grand Forks, Larimore, Anthony, St. Louis Park, St. Paul, Lisbon, Wahpeton Stillwater, White Bear Lake, WESTERN WISCONSIN MINNESOTA Woodbury STATEWIDE

$4,115,166 SOUTHEASTERN $8,506,914 92 GRANTS MINNESOTA WESTERN AND SOUTH 72 GRANTS AND PRIs CENTRAL MINNESOTA Amery, Bayfield, Colfax, Danbury, Eau Claire, Elk Mound, Frederic, La Crosse, La Pointe, Menomonie, $2,416,372 23 GRANTS $3,706,478 New Richmond, Siren, Washburn 67 GRANTS Austin, Eyota, Houston, Kasson, NORTH DAKOTA Rochester, Rollingstone, STATEWIDE Alexandria, Brandon, Fergus St. Charles, Stewartville, Winona Falls, Mankato, Marshall, Morris, Owatonna, Perham, Redwood $1,056,500 Falls, Starbuck, Watertown, 12 GRANTS Willmar OTTO BREMER TRUST Annual Report 2015

While the Trust invests in a wide spectrum of issues to help move communities forward, these issues can be broken down into four categories: Basic Needs, Children and Youth, Economic Well-Being and Healthy Communities. Below are examples— by region—of the leading type and category of requests we received and funded over the past year.

METRO AREA MINNESOTA WESTERN NORTH DAKOTA RED RIVER VALLEY CENTRAL AND NORTHERN Children and Youth Healthy Communities Healthy Communities MINNESOTA Healthy Communities Program support for a citywide, Support for an organization that Capital investments to renovate a multi-sector coalition that uses provides education and follow-up senior center to increase accessibility General operating support for multiple intervention strategies services to professional and family and serve more seniors in the an organization that provides to curb the growing tide of youth caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s community. independent living services to crime and provide culturally disease and dementia living in rural low-income seniors and persons Capital investments to support specific programming, services North Dakota. with disabilities. a new training and development and developmental supports. Program support for an organization center that will include a sensory Program support for an organization Capital support to build a second that works to reduce and eliminate gym to provide shared work space, that provides basic ESL and workforce location for a day treatment center in poverty, and to build assets for low- education, training for nonprofits, development training to newly arrived western Hennepin County designed and moderate-income North Dakotans and services to individuals with immigrants and refugees. for adolescents who have emotional through public policy education, disabilities. Capital investment for emergency and behavioral challenges. grassroots organizing and consensus- repairs to keep a domestic violence based approaches to solving Program support for the launch of SOUTHEASTERN MINNESOTA shelter open. community problems. a college success program for high Healthy Communities school seniors through summer MINNESOTA STATEWIDE training and internship initiatives WISCONSIN Program expansion support for an and college application and Healthy Communities Healthy Communities organization that works to provide enrollment support. and Basic Needs isolated, homebound older adults Support for a physician volunteer with physical activities through program that cultivates and WESTERN AND SOUTH CENTRAL Support for prevention outreach, use of technology and college coordinates placement of critically MINNESOTA health care and social service student volunteers. needed doctors to Minnesota’s Basic Needs programs for individuals living Capacity building for a social service medically underserved communities. with HIV. organization serving immigrants, Support to develop a state-wide General operating support for an General operating support for an refugees, and their families through mental health training institute organization that provides shelter and organization that recruits, develops employment, health care access, to provide professional education supportive services to homeless men. and coordinates volunteers to assist vocational training and victim and increase access to training Investments for the purchase of dental seniors and adults with disabilities services in Rochester. and evidence-based curricula. equipment for clinics in Hawley and to maintain their independence. Fergus Falls, Minnesota. General operating support for an NORTH DAKOTA STATEWIDE organization that provides shelter Basic Needs and supportive services to homeless individuals and families so that they Investments in the activities of can attain self-sufficiency. a statewide oral health coalition Support for an organization providing to improve the oral health care legal services to low-income victims of residents throughout the state of domestic violence, sexual assault through prevention and education. and child abuse in Bayfield and Capacity building for an organization Ashland counties. that focuses on immediate hunger needs and works to address the root causes of hunger throughout North Dakota.

In 2015 the Trust made over $45 million in grants and program-related investments that were distributed to more than 500 organizations in our region. 2015 FINANCIAL OVERVIEW for the year ended December 31, 2015

END OF YEAR MARKET VALUE OF ASSETS Cash $248,311

Investments Fixed income 52,450,734

Corporate stock 843,974,239 $945,257,043 $898,842,764 $906,202,779 Other 7,524,905 $795,565,635 $795,565,635 $761,102,155 Other Assets Fixed assets 1,852,852 Accrued receivables 151,738 ASSETS Total Assets $906,202,779 (dollars in millions) 2011 2013 2012 2014 REVENUE AND EXPENSES 2015 OBT’s investment holdings have grown Revenue significantly over the years. At the end of 2015, Interest from investments 22,832 our Total Assets were over $900 million. Dividends from investments 44,375,174 Net gain on sale of investments 4,750,819 Other income 1,030,727

Total Revenue $50,179,552 Expenses and Disbursements

Operations and administration 4,648,684 $45,131,785 $42,296,824 $42,296,824

Taxes 466,000 $38,321,048 $36,229,373 Grants and program-related

investments 45,131,785 $30,567,764

Total Expenses and Disbursements $50,246,469 GRANTS/PRIs Excess Revenue over Expenses $(66,917) (dollars in thousands) 2011 2013 2012 2014 2015

The annual return on our bank and other investments supports our philanthropic output. Focusing on quality investing is fundamental to our trust structure.

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