1. Fit. "How can we tell if our proposal might be a good fit for the Otto Bremer Foundation?"
   
   The central question in evaluating fit is whether the proposed work is likely to powerfully move a community forward in ways that are consistent with the Foundation's mission. The narrative section of the grant application lists six aspects of your proposal that the Foundation looks to in evaluating fit. Some of the more detailed questions that we ask in evaluating fit are listed below under "Application and Review Process"--see question 2, Site visits.
   
   
2. Grant type. "What types of grants does the Foundation provide? Do you make multiyear grants?"
   
   The Foundation provides grants to support programs, general operations, capital projects and--for community foundations only--endowments. The trustees currently prefer to make one-year grants. We are open to making two-year grants when that is demonstrably the most effective way to advance work that is important to a community. In rare circumstances, we will make three-year grants.
   
   
3. Program-related investments. "Does the Foundation provide program-related investments?"
   
   Yes. As defined by The Foundation Center, program-related investments (PRIs) are tools that foundations can use to support charitable activities that can potentially return the capital to the Foundation within an established time frame. PRIs can include financing methods commonly associated with banks or other private investors, such as loans, loan guarantees, linked deposits and even equity investments in charitable organizations or in commercial ventures for charitable purposes.
   
   
4. Amount. "How much funding can we ask for?"
   
   There is no set dollar limit on grant requests. We prefer that the proposed work has funding from diverse sources when possible. When Otto Bremer Foundation funding is added to other revenue sources, there should be sufficient total funding to enable the work to be successful. You may wish to review a list of Foundation grants provided in 2009 and 2010.
   
   

1. Fiscal sponsorship. "My organization does not have section 501(c)(3) status but does have another organization that is willing to serve as a fiscal sponsor. Will that work?"
   
   The Foundation accepts grant applications from fiscal sponsors. Please review our fact sheet on fiscal sponsorship before beginning the application process. If you have additional questions, please call us at 651-227-8036 or toll free at 888-291-1123.
   
   
2. Bremer Bank community. "Must our organization be located in a Bremer Bank community? How does the Foundation define Bremer Bank communities?"
   
   The Foundation supports organizations and projects that benefit communities that are homes and neighbors to Bremer banks. In determining geographic eligibility for a grant, Foundation trustees and staff consider a number of factors, including physical proximity to Bremer Bank communities and how the work of a specific program or organization will positively affect residents of those communities.
   
   
3. Overlapping grants. "If we have a current Otto Bremer Foundation grant, can we apply for another one?"
   
   The Foundation has a policy of providing one grant to an organization at a time. If your organization has an open grant from the Foundation, we will not accept a new proposal until the current grant period is complete and your organization has submitted its final narrative and financial reports. Please see the fact sheet on our one-grant-at-a-time policy for an explanation of how the process works and exceptions to the policy for Supplemental Bremer Emergency Fund grantees, fiscal sponsors and applications proposing to serve a different Bremer community.
   
   
4. Waiting period after turndown. "If our grant application was turned down, how long do we need to wait to apply again?"
   
   We will accept new applications one year after the date a prior application is turned down. In a few special circumstances, the Foundation will waive the one-year waiting period. In those cases, applicants will be notified of the waiver at the time their application is turned down.
   
   
5. Questions. "Can we call to inquire about eligibility?"
   
   The Foundation encourages your questions. We can be reached at 651-227-8036 or toll free at 888-291-1123. If the staff person who answers the phone cannot answer your question, a program officer will generally return your call within one business day.
   
   

1. Grant application. "How long should our proposal be? What format do you prefer?"
   
   While we do not have a page limit, we encourage you to tell us the key points in a concise way. We accept applications by mail or email. Please submit only one copy of your proposal.
   
   
2. Site visits. "If you make a site visit, what will it include and how should we prepare?"
   
   During a site visit, you should be prepared to discuss your organization's finances in some detail and to have a conversation centering on these questions:
   
   
• Community. Whom do you serve? What are your community's needs and opportunities related to the issue you will address? What specific information or data can help us understand the situation?
• Proposed work. What specifically do you hope to accomplish? How will you go about it? How will your proposed work complement our vision of a healthy community--a place where basic needs are met, mutual regard is prized and opportunities for economic, civic and social participation are within everyone's reach?
• Impact. How will you define and evaluate the success of your work? How will you share your results and lessons with the community and others?
• Your organization and resources. Describe your organization's mission, goals, staffing and stakeholders. What experience, learning, connections or other non-financial resources does your organization bring to the work you propose? What non-financial resources do you need to access or develop for your proposed work to be successful?
• Partners and networks. Who are your partners and how will they contribute to your work? What is your organization's history with these partners? How will work between the partners be coordinated?
• Looking ahead. How do you anticipate your community will change in the coming years? How will your work and organization evolve to fit those changes? How does your current proposal fit into the future you envision?

1. Reporting requirements. "What are your grant reporting requirements?"
   
   We require a narrative report and a financial report at the end of each grant year, and we accept the Minnesota Common Report Form for both reports. In the narrative report, we are particularly interested in hearing about the outcomes of the work funded by the grant--both successes and disappointments--and any lessons learned. In the financial report, we are interested in learning how the money was spent.
   
   
2. Information collection. "What kinds of information or data do you expect us to collect?"
   
   You are in the best position to identify the type of information or data you need in order to plan, conduct and evaluate your work. We are interested in learning from your experience and hope you will include relevant information in your narrative report. Understanding the accomplishments and challenges of the organizations we support is key to making our future work as effective as possible. We will also share the learning we glean from grantees with organizations in Bremer communities doing similar work or facing similar challenges.
   
   

If you have additional questions, please call us at 651-227-8036 or toll free at 888-291-1123.

Download a complete copy of Guide to Grantmaking at the Otto Bremer Foundation.

Download a copy of our complete Grant Application.