Otto Bremer Trust (OBT) Community Responsive Fund
The North Dakota Community Foundation (NDCF) awarded grants to 22 organizations totaling $1.5 million from its Otto Bremer Trust (OBT) Community Responsive Fund in October of 2026. NDCF was selected as a philanthropic intermediary partner to administer and distribute funds from OBT’s Community Responsive Fund to organizations in North Dakota.
As a trusted philanthropic intermediary partner to OBT, NDCF serves as a local resource to provide guidance on regional challenges and opportunities, and community dynamics, ensuring that OBT is making a strong, positive impact in the regions it serves by distributing grants of up to $100,000 to support local organizations that directly respond to immediate challenges and opportunities in the state.
“We are pleased to partner with the Otto Bremer Trust to distribute grants to those organizations that are addressing some of the critical needs of our residents,” said Steve Lipp, President and CEO of NDCF. “From our large cities to our rural communities, there are many nonprofit organizations that are finding solutions and addressing the issues that some of our most vulnerable citizens face.”
"The Otto Bremer Trust is proud to work with the North Dakota Community Foundation to administer and distribute grant funds in North Dakota," 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 NDCF, which is fully integrated into the communities and regions we serve. We look forward to working together to increase our impact."
The complete listing of grantees, their city, and their 2026 OBT Community Responsive Fund grant award is listed below.
Organization / Project or Program | City | Amount Awarded |
ABLE, Inc.: To install an accessible elevator in a 12-unit apartment building in Dickinson for residents with disabilities and mobility challenges. | Dickinson | $63,000 |
Abused Adult Resource Center: To sustain Pam’s House emergency shelter and support services for victims of violence and their children. | Bismarck | $100,000 |
Anne Carlsen Center: To sustain and strengthen statewide disability services for people with developmental disabilities, complex medical needs, and behavioral challenges. | Jamestown | $100,000 |
Community Violence Intervention Center: To support school- and community-based mental health services for young people impacted by interpersonal violence. | Grand Forks | $100,000 |
Domestic Violence Crisis Center: General operating support for emergency shelter, advocacy, therapy, and other services for victims of domestic and sexual violence. | Minot | $27,000 |
Fargo Union Mission dba New Life Center: To support shelter, meals, and recovery services and strengthen case management for people experiencing homelessness or addiction. | Fargo | $100,000 |
Fraser, Ltd.: To support inclusive childcare, youth and young adult services, and residential services for adults with developmental disabilities. | Fargo | $84,500 |
Haley’s Hope: To expand access to dyslexia support for rural students and schools through direct services, educator training, and outreach. | West Fargo | $37,000 |
Heartview Foundation: To support evidence-based substance use treatment, including integrating peer support into services. | Bismarck | $26,000 |
HIA Health (formerly Hospice of the Red River Valley): To bring Heather’s House hospice facility to full capacity and provide compassionate care to patients across the region. | Fargo | $100,000 |
Home On The Range: To support education and therapeutic treatment for youth, including a school expansion with additional classrooms, a sensory room, and an independent living skills lab. | Sentinel Butte | $100,000 |
Independence, Inc.: To support advocacy, mentoring, and independent living services for people with disabilities in northwestern North Dakota. | Minot | $10,000 |
Minot Commission on Aging, Inc.: To continue congregate and home-delivered meals for seniors in Minot and surrounding communities. | Minot | $40,000 |
Mountain Plains Youth Services Coalition dba Youthworks: To support shelter and housing services for youth experiencing or at risk of homelessness. | Bismarck | $100,000 |
Mountrail County Health Foundation: To purchase non-magnetic equipment, safety infrastructure, and patient support items for Mountrail County Medical Center’s MRI suite. | Stanley | $34,500 |
Opportunity Foundation, Inc.: To support person-centered residential, vocational, and community services for people with disabilities in western North Dakota. | Williston | $23,000 |
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Bismarck: To support no-cost, school-based dental care through the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile for children in western North Dakota. | Bismarck | $75,000 |
Sanford Health Foundation West: To expand access to integrated school-based mental health counseling at no cost to qualifying students in central and western North Dakota. | Bismarck | $100,000 |
The Fred and Clara Eckert Foundation for Children: To support school-based mental health services in Williston High and Middle Schools and care coordination for youth. | Williston | $18,000 |
Women’s Care Center - Bismarck: To support pregnancy care, parenting education, and material assistance for women and families, including expanded classes and community events. | Bismarck | $68,000 |
YMCA of the Northern Sky: To support programming addressing food insecurity, mental health and well-being, youth activities, and other community needs. | Fargo | $94,000 |
YWCA Cass Clay: To support emergency shelter and trauma-informed services for women and children experiencing homelessness or fleeing violence. | Fargo | $100,000 |
TOTAL • 22 ORGANIZATIONS |
| $1,500,000 |
