MINNEAPOLIS (October 6, 2025) — Greater Twin Cities United Way (United Way) has been selected by the Otto Bremer Trust (OBT) as an intermediary to administer and distribute funds through the Otto Bremer Trust Community Responsive Fund. In this role, United Way is serving as a local expert to support Otto Bremer Trust in deepening its impact in the region by providing and administering grants directly to organizations within Minnesota that provide effective services and programs.
As part of this strategic collaboration, United Way has granted $1.225 million in funds to support local organizations with programs and services focused on mental health. The full list of grantees is below.
“The Otto Bremer Trust is proud to work with Greater Twin Cities United Way to administer and distribute grant funds in Minnesota,” 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 Greater Twin Cities United Way, which is fully integrated into the communities and regions we serve. We look forward to working together to increase our impact.”
In addition to this latest round of grants to local mental health nonprofits, earlier this year, United Way distributed $2.775 million in OBT funds to youth-serving nonprofits working in the areas of youth literacy, adoption/foster services and children’s health. In total, United Way and OBT have partnered to disburse $4 million throughout the Greater Twin Cities region in 2025.
“Through our work with the 211 resource helpline and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, Greater Twin Cities United Way plays a critical role in connecting people to essential mental health services 24 hours a day,” said Shannon Smith Jones, Senior Vice President of Community Impact at Greater Twin Cities United Way. “Our partnership with Otto Bremer Trust deepens this ongoing collaboration with our community’s mental health organizations, ensuring that more of our neighbors can access the care and support they deserve.”
These mental health organizations received funding from United Way and OBT:
For more information about Greater Twin Cities United Way, visit gtcuw.org.
For more information about Otto Bremer Trust, visit ottobremer.org.
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About Greater Twin Cities United Way
Greater Twin Cities United Way unites changemakers, advocates for social good, and develops solutions to address the challenges no one can solve alone to create a community where all people thrive regardless of income, race or place. For more information, visit gtcuw.org and follow us on LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
About the Otto Bremer Trust
The Otto Bremer Trust is a private charitable trust based in St. Paul, Minn. Created in 1944 by business and community leader Otto Bremer, it is committed to supporting an enhanced quality of life for residents of Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. Since its founding, OBT has invested more than $1 billion in its region’s people, places, and opportunities.
