The $75,000 donation to Washburn Center for Children will provide comprehensive trauma, depression and anxiety support to more kids and their families
MINNEAPOLIS, November 19, 2025 – Minnesota’s kids need a community who responds to their mental health needs. Greater Twin Cities United Way, serving as an intermediary for Otto Bremer Trust, is helping answer the call.
United Way announced major support from Otto Bremer Community Responsive Fund was released to Washburn Center for Children’s mission to nurture every child and family’s well-being and full potential through transformative mental health care. This move comes as our state and nation experience massive increases in mental health needs, across all age groups.
The demand for mental health care is only increasing. Washburn Center for Children saw a 10% increase in services in 2024, supporting over 4,200 children and teens annually by bringing personalized mental health services directly into homes, schools, classroom environments and in traditional clinics across the Twin Cities metro.
“This generous gift adds to the growing bedrock of support for the kids and families we serve,” says Craig Warren, CEO at Washburn Center for Children. “We know that our mission generates life-changing results, but with insufficient reimbursement rates, we wouldn’t meet the need without generosity of supporters, like the United Way. Our communities are stronger together.”
As Minnesota’s insurance reimbursement rates continue to fall even farther behind the cost to deliver care – a 40% difference last year – philanthropic support has become essential to close the gap. It’s the community’s response that helps mobilize Washburn Center’s therapists in response to the skyrocketing need.
“The mission of Greater Twin Cities United Way is to unite as Changemakers, advocate for social good and develop solutions to address the challenges no one can solve alone,” said Megan O’Meara, Senior Director of Holistic Grantmaking and Innovation at the Greater Twin Cities United Way in a written statement that accompanied the grant.
Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, Washburn Center for Children is activating to deliver transformative mental health care to even more children – building on expanded service offerings in school districts, innovating with state-leading work in English and Spanish-speaking teen-focused programs and continuing the momentum of its work to ensure all children receive the care they need
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Washburn Center for Children leads in child-centered care with the broadest and deepest spectrum of outpatient children’s mental health services in Minnesota. With one of the largest teams of children’s mental health therapists, its community-based model is strengthened by families and children served and grounded by impact that reaches to family networks, neighborhoods, schools and communities. Washburn Center is also a leader in training mental health professionals in trauma-informed, evidence-based care. Visit www.washburn.org for more information.
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.
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CONTACT
Julie Carver | Director of Communications | She/her/hers Julie.carver@washburn.org, 612-597-0934