Otto Bremer Trust selects Montana Community Foundation as a philanthropic intermediary partner for  Community Responsive Fund Grantmaking

The Montana Community Foundation will administer and distribute $1.5 million in grants of up to $75,000 to local nonprofits.

Helena, Montana, March 24, 2025 — For the second year, the Montana Community Foundation (MCF) has been selected by the Otto Bremer Trust (OBT) as a philanthropic intermediary to administer and distribute funds through the Otto Bremer Trust Community Responsive Fund. MCF will work closely with OBT to administer $1.5 million in funds for grants up to $75,000 to support local organizations that address health and literacy needs in the state, with an emphasis on children.

“The Otto Bremer Trust is proud to work with the Montana Community Foundation to administer and distribute grant funds in Montana,” said Frank Miley, co-CEO and trustee, OBT. “The Trust’s mission has always been to fund organizations and programs that effectively address challenges and opportunities in their local communities. What better way to have a deeper understanding of where those challenges are than to work with an organization like MCF, which is fully integrated into the communities and regions we serve. We look forward to working together to increase our impact.”

The online application window will be available April 1 through May 15 . Local nonprofits, organizations, and groups may apply for funding from the OBT Community Responsive Fund through MCF. The 2025 focus areas for the fund include literacy, adoption and foster care services, children’s health, children’s disability services, mental health, and capital projects for hospitals and clinics. Additional changes have been made to the 2025 criteria, and interested applicants are encouraged to visit MCF’s website, mtcf.org, to access a full list of guidelines. 

“We are grateful for the opportunity to again partner with the Otto Bremer Trust in supporting the well-being of our communities,” said Mary Rutherford, President & CEO of MCF. “This funding will strengthen essential services, expand access to care, and create more opportunities to help Montana communities thrive.”

MCF will work closely with partners throughout the state to ensure that the Otto Bremer Trust is increasing the positive impact in the regions it serves. Grant applications open April 1, 2025 for local nonprofit organizations and can be found at mtcf.org.

For more information about Otto Bremer Trust, visit https://ottobremer.org.

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About the Montana Community Foundation

Montana Community Foundation’s (MCF) mission is to cultivate a culture of giving so Montana communities can flourish. Founded in 1988, MCF manages more than $188.5 million in assets and administers more than 1,470 philanthropic funds and planned gifts. MCF’s accreditation through the Council on Foundation’s National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations ensures MCF complies with the strictest standards in gift administration and grantmaking. Since its founding, MCF has reinvested more than $100 million in Montana through scholarships, grants, and programs.

About the Otto Bremer Trust

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, OBT has invested more than $1 billion in its region’s people, places, and opportunities.