Otto Bremer Trust Community Responsive Fund at Greater Twin Cities United Way

Greater Twin Cities United Way (United Way) is grateful to be one of the Otto Bremer Trust’s (OBT) intermediary partners across OBT’s 4 state region. In 2026, United Way will administer $5.5M from the Otto Bremer Trust Community Responsive Fund.

This page will provide information on United Way’s process to administer these funds, including the requirements set by Otto Bremer Trust.

Eligibility criteria for OBT Community Responsive grants through United Way are: 

• Maximum grant award is $75,000
• Grants cannot be more than 10% of organization’s philanthropic revenue (revenue less government funding, earned income, investment gains, fee for service, and in-kind contributions; form 990, Part VIII, Line 1f)
• Funds will be restricted to activities within the focus area. Up to 10% is permitted for administrative costs
• Grant period is anticipated to start October 1st, 2026 for a period of one year

Otto Bremer Trust sets the focus areas for the OBT Community Responsive Fund on an annual basis, and permits Greater Twin Cities United Way to utilize a process that aligns this funding opportunity to GTCUW’s focus areas. Greater Twin Cities United Way will fund organizations in the following 2026 Focus Areas:

Applications for the following focus areas will be accepted on an invite-only basis. 

• Food. Organizations and programs that directly operate meal sites and food shelves to meet basic daily needs. (Large, region- and state-wide food bank activities are not eligible).
• Shelter. Organizations and programs that provide short-term and emergency shelter beds for people who are experiencing homelessness.
• Disability services. Organizations providing supportive housing and services to households with people with physical or cognitive disabilities who have experienced long-term or chronic homelessness. 
  • In alignment with GTCUW’s focus on ending homelessness, organizations must have dedicated programs for working with people who meet the definition of chronic or long-term homelessness, and who have a disabling condition. Organizations who provide waivered services, housing with support services (group homes), and/or vocational rehabilitation without a major focus on serving individuals meeting the definition of long-term or chronic homelessness are not eligible for this opportunity.

Applications for the following focus areas will be accepted from any eligible organization.

• Low-income healthcare clinics. Organizations and programs that primarily provide affordable medical, dental, and mental health services to people with limited financial resources or who are uninsured or underinsured.
• School-based mental health. Organizations and programs that provide clinical school-based mental health services (therapy or group therapy) provided by licensed mental health professionals. (School-based mental health services are focused on K-12 students. Early childhood centers, colleges, universities, etc. are not eligible.)

To be considered for the full application organizations must complete an Otto Bremer Trust (OBT) RFP Eligibility Meeting Request Form by Friday, May 1st; submitting the Eligibility Meeting Request form at your earliest opportunity is strongly advised to ensure your organization has the maximum time available to complete the application process. Once submitted, we will follow up with you within 3 business days to schedule a required virtual call with one of our Program Officers to confirm your eligibility for this funding opportunity. Note: organizations invited to apply under the Food, Shelter, and Disability Services focus areas were sent an invitation-only version of the Eligibility Meeting Request Form by email on Monday, April 6th. Please contact rfp@gtcuw.org with any questions.

After the full application opens on May 1st, eligible organizations who have completed their OBT Eligibility Meeting will be invited to complete the full Otto Bremer Trust’s Community Responsive Fund Grant application in the Greater Twin Cities United Way Grants Portal. Applications are due by Wednesday, May 20th at 4pm. Organizations who complete their OBT Eligibility Meeting after May 1st will gain access to the full application within 24-48 business hours of the Eligibility Meeting’s conclusion.

Please refer to our info sheet for further details on how to navigate your Grants Portal account, and reach out to RFP@gtcuw.org with any questions.

For questions regarding Otto Bremer’s Community Responsive Fund at Greater Twin Cities Way, please contact us at rfp@gtcuw.org.

For a list of currently available grant opportunities, visit our nonprofit portal. For notifications of future funding opportunities, sign up for our email list.