Bemidji area organizations receive $405,000 in grants from the Otto Bremer Trust

“OBT investments help meet basic needs, create economic opportunities, and fund programs and services that support health and wellness,” Charlotte S. Johnson, OBT co-CEO and trustee, said in a release. “We’re pleased to assist the many organizations across the four-state region engaged in this important work.”

The Otto Bremer Trust is a private charitable trust based in St. Paul, Minn. Created in 1944 by business and community leader Otto Bremer. Since its founding, OBT has invested more than $1 billion in people, places and opportunities in its region.

Here is a list of grants awarded to Bemidji area organizations:

• Evergreen Youth and Family Services, Inc. in Bemidji received $125,000 for general operations to provide comprehensive services and housing support to youth facing housing instability in northern Minnesota.
• Northwest Minnesota Foundation in Bemidji received $200,000 for capital support to provide a space for individuals to receive mental health services in an unbiased, creative environment.
• Regional Native Public Defense Corporation in Bemidji received $80,000 for general operations to enhance and expand holistic, culturally specific, and community-based legal defense services in northwest and north central Minnesota.
• Anishinabe Legal Services in Cass Lake received $80,000 for general operations to provide free civil legal services and education to low-income members of the Leech Lake, White Earth and Red Lake tribal communities.

For more information and a complete list of grants awarded, visit ottobremer.org.