Otto Bremer Trust Community Responsive Fund: Central Minnesota

Astera Health, Wadena: $60,500 to purchase a new cardiac monitor, point-of-care ultrasound and video laryngoscopes—expanding emergency medical capacity to meet urgent care needs and improve patient outcomes in rural communities.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota, St. Cloud: $75,000 to deliver trauma-informed programming at five sites, expanding mental health supports for youth and helping young people build resilience, reduce risky behaviors and thrive socially and academically.

Brainerd Family YMCA: $57,500 to lead a yearlong youth mental health initiative focused on trauma-informed, strength-based care—training staff, deepening partnerships, and supporting youth through collaborative, evidence-based programs.

Center for African Immigrants and Refugees (CAIRO), St. Cloud: $75,000 to expand tutoring, mentorship and college and career preparation for underserved students. The program emphasizes literacy and long-term academic success.

CentraCare Health System, Long Prairie: $75,000 to install a powered ambulance cot with a power loading system, enhancing staff and patient safety, improving efficiency and strengthening emergency response capacity in a rural, high-need area.

ConnectAbility of MN, Waite Park: $11,000 to expand inclusive youth programming by investing in strategic planning, strengthening partnerships and hosting sensory-friendly events that promote full participation and inclusion for youth with disabilities.

Justice North, Leech Lake: $73,000 to provide legal services for low-income families involved in adoption, foster care, housing and domestic violence cases—supporting family stability, preventing unnecessary foster placements and advancing justice for Native children.

Lakes and Pines CAC, Inc., Mora: $6,000 to expand early literacy efforts by providing four culturally relevant books annually to 400-plus children and families, building home libraries, encouraging family engagement and promoting lifelong learning.

Lakewood Health System, Staples: $75,000 to purchase two power cots for rural ambulance services, enhancing safety, reducing staff injury and improving response times for more than 14,000 residents across a 400-square-mile service area.

Mille Lacs Health System, Onamia: $36,000 to expand behavioral health services for children ages 5–15, focusing on Indigenous youth from the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. A licensed provider will deliver culturally responsive care, reducing stigma and improving access in rural areas.

Nexus Kindred Family Healing: $23,000 to support adoption, foster care, kinship support, supervised visitation, transitional services and other resources for children and families in Central Minnesota.

Northern Pines Mental Health Center, Brainerd: $11,000 to expand youth mental health services, including counseling, respite camps and outreach—ensuring accessible, high-quality care for underserved children and families regardless of financial barriers.

Reach Up, Inc., St. Cloud: $5,000 to expand developmental screenings and strengthen supports for children with disabilities, ensuring early identification, individualized care and inclusive learning environments within the St. Cloud School District.

St. Gabriel’s Health, Little Falls: $27,500 to replace outdated operating room lighting, increasing surgical capacity, improving emergency readiness and enhancing the delivery of safe, high-quality care for the community.

Center for Victims of Torture, St. Cloud: $38,000 to sustain culturally responsive mental health care for Somali families through parenting classes, psychotherapy and outreach—supporting individuals in building trust, resilience and healing.

United Way of Central Minnesota, St. Cloud: $50,500 to expand mental health services for children by training youth-serving staff in trauma-informed strategies, reducing stigma and connecting families to culturally responsive care through a strengthened Navigator network.

Wright County Community Action, Inc., Maple Lake: $41,000 to expand the Raising-a-Reader program, updating literacy materials, creating parent book clubs and building family resource libraries to promote early literacy for low-income children.

Mid-Minnesota Women’s Center, Brainerd: $75,000 to support those escaping domestic violence situations. (Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd and Wadena counties)

Pearl Crisis Center, Milaca: $73,000 to support those experiencing domestic violence and sexual assault. Pearl Crisis Center provides direct service, prevention and community awareness. (Mille Lacs County and Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe)

Oasis Central Minnesota, Little Falls: $60,000 to help those experiencing homelessness by providing emergency shelter and a potential pathway to permanent housing. The organization also provides housing support to those on the verge of homelessness. (Morrison County)

Recovery Community Network, St. Cloud: $60,000 to provide peer support, education, advocacy, and prevention strategies to reduce the impact of substance use disorder and improve health and wellbeing. (Benton, Crow Wing, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Pine, Sherburne, Stearns and Wright counties and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe)

Feeding Area Children Together, St. Cloud: $50,000 to support a weekend food gap program for students facing food insecurity. (Benton, Sherburne, Stearns and Wright counties)

PHASE-Industries, Sandstone: $50,000 to support adults with developmental and physical disabilities. The funding will be used to hire more staff to serve clients who want to explore work and obtain and retain employment. (Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs and Pine counties)

YES Network, St. Cloud: $50,000 to respond to the youth mental health crisis by providing community-based afterschool and summer health and wellness programming. (Benton and Sherburne counties)

Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity, St. Cloud: $45,000 to put low-income families on a path to homeownership while focusing resources to serve those who have experienced generational barriers. (Benton, Sherburne, Stearns and Wright counties)

New Pathways, Inc., Cambridge: $45,000 to provide shelter and support to families with children experiencing homelessness and put them on a path to permanent housing. (Chisago, Kanabec, Isanti, Mille Lacs and counties and Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe)

Central Minnesota Dementia Community Action Network, St. Cloud: $41,000 to support dementia-informed counseling for patients, families, and caregivers while navigating the effects of dementia. (Benton, Sherburne, Stearns and Wadena counties)

Wright County Community Action, Maple Lake: $40,000 to expand its services to support independent living for low-income older adults. (Wright County)

Tusen Tack, Braham: $34,000 to support community asset-building through the Braham Event Center. In 2023, Tusen Tack hosted more than 300 events at the center and offered free or discounted access to nonprofit organizations. The event center also hosts a food shelf, library, and community meals. (Chisago, Isanti, Pine counties and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe)

North Star Family Advocacy Center, Braham: $30,000 to support children and vulnerable adults impacted by sexual abuse. The organization provides forensic interviews, family advocacy, trauma-informed mental health services, and forensic medical exams. (Chisago, Isanti, Mille Lacs, Pine counties and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe)

Northland Area Family Service Center, Remer: $25,000 to support diaper and wipe distribution through local partners. Staff estimate the organization will distribute about 75,000 diapers each year. (Cass County and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe)

Too Much Talent, St. Cloud: $25,000 to reduce disparities experienced by children and families of color. The funds will help the organization provide tutoring and community programming. (Benton and Stearns counties)

Pine River-Backus Family Center, Pine River: $15,000 to provide local produce at the food shelf, which benefits local farmers and food shelf clients. (Cass and Crow Wing counties)

Breath of Life Adult Day Service, Brainerd: $12,000 to provide dependent adults with activities and services while giving respite to their caregivers. These funds support scholarships for those who can’t afford the organization’s full slate of services. (Cass and Crow Wing counties)

Verndale Family Life Church of the Assemblies of God, Verndale: $10,000 to support the organization’s community food shelf. In addition to food, the organization provides personal care items. (Cass, Morrison, Todd and Wadena counties)

Crisis Line and Referral Service, Baxter: $10,000 to provide a listening ear, crisis mental health services, referrals and information. (Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd and Wadena counties and the Leech Lake and Mille Lacs Bands of Ojibwe)