Annual Report

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Annual Report 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 Otto Bremer Trust. 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 Minnesota, North Dakota Words on a page mean nothing unless they and western Wisconsin, 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.
Recommended publications
  • MYTH: Otto Bremer Trust the Otto Breme
    1) Why is Otto Bremer Trust attempting to sell its stake in Bremer Financial Corporation? MYTH: Otto Bremer Trust The Otto Bremer Trust (OBT) needs to sell Bremer Financial Corporation (BFC) to fulfill legal requirements to distribute at least 5 percent of the market value of OBT’s assets each year, and BFC cannot generate sufficient dividends to meet those disbursement requirements going forward. FACT: Bremer Financial Corporation BFC has reliably served as the successful economic engine for OBT, paying the trust more than $750 million in dividends since 1989 and providing a 12 percent average annual return on OBT’s investment. OBT has held its BFC shares for decades and has never been unable to meet its disbursement requirements. BFC paid OBT more than $70 million in dividends in 2018 and has capacity to pay dividends in 2019 that will meet OBT’s purported disbursement requirements. OBT’s claim that required distributions must increase substantially as a result of market value changes is unfounded. There have been no new developments that would justify, much less require, the outsized market value changes claimed by OBT. The OBT trustees want to sell BFC for their own reasons and are citing legal requirements as a pretext. Tellingly, the OBT trustees have refused to seriously consider BFC’s ability to meet increased dividend requirements or to find alternatives to meet OBT’s purported disbursement requirements, including by selling OBT assets other than BFC shares. 2) Can BFC succeed as an independent bank? MYTH: Otto Bremer Trust Because of changes in the financial services industry, it is daunting for an independent regional bank to succeed.
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  • Other Civil Bremer Financial Corporation
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    Annual Report 2019 Courage in Practice We reflect back on 2019 Last spring, PEAK issued a call for “courage in practice” with the introduction of our Principles for Peak through the lens of our Grantmaking, our call-to-action to transform the practice of philanthropy into the practice of principled grantmaking. present crises and the Today, the need to put these five Principles into practice profound impacts they've has even greater urgency. In response, PEAK’s member- led community of grants management professionals – now had on our lives, our work, 5,000 strong – is rallying to adopt more flexible, responsive, and those we serve. and equitable grantmaking practices. In 2019, and today, we have focused on empowering In the face of COVID-19 and members to lead change within their organizations, and lifting up the profession and practice of grants management, the international outcry for efforts rooted in and supported by the Principles. Here, we report on a year full of progress and evolution, highlighting racial justice, have we ever the contributions of PEAK’s board, staff, volunteers, and supporters toward: felt so keenly aware of the Growing and deepening engagement with our imperative for philanthropy community of grants management professionals in to get it right – to bring the advancing principled practice change; Empowering grants management professionals full measure of our resources with practical tools, knowledge, and skills so they can be successful in their roles and build support for their work and know-how to meet the leading practice change in their organizations, and in challenges of the moment? the sector overall; and Advancing the operational stability of the organization and supporting a strong governance and staffing model that allows us to be nimble and innovative when responding to opportunities and challenges.
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  • The Program Officer
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  • Good Lives Here ™
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  • STATE of MINNESOTA DISTRICT COURT COUNTY of RAMSEY SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT in the Matter of the OTTO BREMER TRUST (Formerly
    STATE OF MINNESOTA DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF RAMSEY SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court File No. 62-C9-61-315222 In the Matter of the OTTO STATE’S PETITION FOR INTERIM BREMER TRUST (formerly known RELIEF UNDER MINN. STAT. § as the Otto Bremer Foundation) 501C.0706(C) TO: THE HONORABLE JUDGE OF THE DISTRICT COURT ABOVE NAMED Petitioner, the State of Minnesota, through its Attorney General Keith Ellison, respectfully represents to and petitions the Court (“Emergency Petition”) as follows: INTRODUCTION 1. Petitioner State of Minnesota, by its Attorney General, Keith Ellison, is authorized under the Supervision of Charitable Trusts and Trustees Act (“Act”), Minn. Stat. §§ 501B.33 to 501B.45, the Minnesota Trust Code (“Code”), Minn. Stat. § 501C.0110, and common law, including the doctrine of parens patriae, to bring this Emergency Petition to secure compliance with the provisions of the Act, the Code, and Minnesota common law governing charitable trusts. 2. Contemporaneous with this Emergency Petition, Petitioner has also filed: a. State’s Petition to Enforce Supervision of Charitable Trusts and Trustees Act, Remove Trustees, Replace Trustees, and for Other Relief; b. State’s Memorandum of Law (“Memorandum”) in Support of Petition to Enforce Supervision of Charitable Trusts and Trustees Act, Remove Trustees, Replace Trustees, and For Other Relief, and Petition for Interim Relief; and c. Affidavits and supporting exhibits thereto. JURISDICTION AND VENUE 3. This is an in rem proceeding authorized by Minn. Stat. §§ 501B.41, 501C.0202(9), (10), (11), (16), and 501C.0706, to secure compliance with the Act by removing the trustees, appointing successor trustees, and granting emergency relief under Minn.
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  • Annual Report
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  • Otto Bremer Trust Awards $50.5 Million in Grants and Program-Related Investments in 2018, Highest in Its History
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  • 2017 Annual Report About Otto Bremer in 1944, St
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  • Otto Bremer Trust Unveils Logo for Subsidiary Community Benefit Financial Company
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: David Hakensen, H Co., (612) 840-4592 Otto Bremer Trust unveils logo for subsidiary Community Benefit Financial Company SAINT PAUL, November 16, 2020 — The Otto Bremer Trust (OBT) today unveiled the logo for its Community Benefit Financial Company (CBFC) subsidiary. CBFC was initially established by OBT in 2019 to expand the range of philanthropic resources available to respond to the needs of communities in its four-state region. In that time, CBFC has rolled out new low-interest loans, investments in patient-capital funds, revolving lines of credit, real estate development funds, and health services financing. More recently, OBT established the Community Benefit Financial Company Emergency Fund, a $50 million fund to provide financial support to Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin organizations impacted by and responding to the pandemic and social unrest. CBFC is now into its second phase of work in which it is providing much-needed capital to a network of intermediaries in support of nonprofits and small businesses in the region. The new logo is a stylized circle broken into quarters, representing the four states in our region. The circle is derived from OBT’s gold-dots logo, which represents the boundaries of the region, which was then expanded and reconstructed with vibrant colors. The color palette of greens and blues represents the geography of the region as well, from the blue skies and waters of the mountains and lakes, to the greens of the prairies, farm fields, and forests. “While CBFC is just one part of OBT, it has unique elements that truly expand the range of our philanthropic tools,” said Charlotte Johnson, Co-CEO and Trustee, Otto Bremer Trust.
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