West Central Initiative Distributes $350,000 in Grant Funds from the Otto Bremer Trust

Eight local nonprofits received grants of up to $75,000 

West Central Initiative was selected by the Otto Bremer Trust as a philanthropic intermediary partner to administer and distribute funds through its new Community Responsive Fund.  

“West Central Initiative awarded grants to eight outstanding organizations serving west central Minnesota. These organizations have shown their capability to address immediate challenges and seize opportunities in the region, focusing on community priorities such as basic needs, asset-building, health and well-being, and restorative and emergency services,” said West Central Initiative Grants Officer Amanda Quam. “We’re grateful for our partnership with the Otto Bremer Trust, which provided a total of $350,000 to these deserving recipients.” 

Otto Bremer Community Responsive Fund Grant Recipients include: 

• All Nations Rise for the Indigenous Parent Leadership Initiative, in partnership with White Earth Nation. This program empowers parents to become the leaders they would like to be for children and families, expands their capacity as change agents for children and families, increases parent-child interactions, and improves child outcomes through parent involvement. 
• Central Minnesota Elder Network for programs that provide support and connection to seniors to lessen feelings of loneliness and isolation. 
• Community Health Service Inc. to improve access to oral health services for underserved populations in rural and low-income areas through a comprehensive dental-care program. It will specifically focus on increasing access to dental care for patients in Moorhead and the surrounding rural communities. 
• Cultural Diversity Resources to provide ongoing training, mentorship, and capacity-building activities for leaders of small and emerging Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) nonprofits and organizations in the Moorhead and the surrounding rural communities.  
• Empowering Kids for The Empowering Kids Social & Recreation Program for neurodivergent individuals to provide year-round, affordable social and recreational programming that fosters accessibility and inclusion for individuals with disabilities. 
• Heart-n-Soul Community Cafe Inc. to expand the Lunch Bunch program and Mobile Cafe events in Moorhead, Dilworth, and Ulen Minnesota. 
• Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota to support legal services, educational outreach, and advocacy for immigrants and refugees in west central Minnesota, with the goal of providing support in 240 cases. Support may include offering legal advice, providing brief services, and/or full legal representation. 
• Safe Families for Children – West Central Minnesota to extend free, voluntary, family-like support to 100 families facing a crisis in the region. This includes facilitating access to medical care and therapy, providing daily emotional support, and crisis intervention. 

“The Otto Bremer Trust’s support allows us to empower local nonprofits that are making a tangible difference in our communities,” said Quam. “Each of these organizations plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life for individuals and families, and we’re honored to support the missions of these organizations.” 

The Otto Bremer Trust was founded in 1944. Since then, it has granted more than $1 billion to help further Otto Bremer’s mission in communities across Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.