As we send out checks to the 102 nonprofit organizations that participated in the Otto Bremer Foundation’s March Millions for Southeastern Minnesota campaign, it reminded us again what committed and generous individuals there are across communities in this part of the state.

When we announced the $1 million matching gift campaign for the month of March, we hoped that nonprofit organizations would get the word out and spend the month raising awareness so they could take advantage of the match by month’s end. We never imagined that it would take only four days to match our $1 million, and that people would go on and contribute an additional $185,000! In total, more than $2.2 million will be given to charitable organizations in eight counties in southeastern Minnesota, thanks to the generosity of more than 2,200 individual donors.

As a Minnesota trust engaged in banking and philanthropy, it is our goal to become deeply involved in Albert Lea and other communities of southeastern Minnesota as we have in many areas throughout Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin. Our Bremer Banks play an important role in the economic vitality of the area and yet there is always more work to be done to move a community forward. We’ve been very impressed and inspired by what we’ve seen so far and look forward to getting to know your communities better as we expand our work in southeastern Minnesota.

 

Charlotte S. Johnson

Trustee and Co-CEO

Otto Bremer Foundation

St. Paul