Bush Foundation

The Bush Foundation employs a distinctive power-sharing grantmaking model that sets it apart in the philanthropic landscape. Rather than making all funding decisions internally, the foundation delegates significant authority to community partners who design grant programs, evaluate applicants, and regrant dollars. This decentralized approach reflects their core belief that communities closest to challenges are best positioned to identify solutions. The foundation organizes its giving around two pillars: community innovation (organizational grants) and leadership development (individual fellowships). With $1.45 billion in assets and $66.6 million in charitable disbursements in 2024, the Bush Foundation is one of the largest private foundations in the Upper Midwest. Their strategic shift toward partner-led grantmaking began accelerating in 2024, when 15% of grants were made through community partners and 43% supported community-led efforts. President Jennifer Reedy has steered the foundation toward greater transparency, including a searchable grants database and detailed performance scorecards. The foundation also maintains a $100 million Community Trust Fund specifically addressing racial equity and wealth disparity in Black and Native American communities, demonstrating a long-term structural commitment to equity beyond typical grant cycles.

The Bush Foundation distributes approximately $66.6 million annually in charitable disbursements across a wide range of grant sizes, from $1,000 to over $8 million. Community Innovation grants represent the largest investments, ranging from $472,000 to $8.2 million over 3-8 year terms, with over $250 million invested since the program began in 2013. The Bush Fellowship program awards up to $150,000 per fellow to 24-30 individuals annually. The Bush Prize provides up to $500,000 (capped at 25% of an organization's fiscal year expenses) through four regional partners. Ecosystem Grants offer up to $450,000 over 3 years in operating support. A significant pattern is the foundation's heavy investment in Native communities: 41% of all grantmaking in 2024 went to support Native people and Native nations, a consistent trend in recent years. The foundation's endowment was valued at $1.4 billion at end of 2024, up 7.5%, though assets have fluctuated significantly over the past decade from $740 million (2011) to $1.81 billion peak (2021). Revenue comes primarily from investment returns: $14.3 million in dividends and $43.4 million from asset sales in 2024, rather than contributions.

The Bush Foundation ranks among the largest private foundations in the Upper Midwest. Here is how it compares to regional peers:

Compared to McKnight, Bush is more geographically focused on the three-state region plus Native nations, while McKnight has broader global programs. Bush's power-sharing grantmaking model is distinctive among peers, as most comparable foundations retain centralized decision-making. The foundation's 41% allocation to Native communities is significantly higher than peers, reflecting a unique strategic commitment. Bush's emphasis on multi-year, flexible operating support (rather than project-specific grants) also distinguishes it from many regional funders that favor restricted grants.

In November 2024, the Bush Foundation announced three new grant program partners: Headwaters Foundation for Justice, South Dakota Community Foundation, and Strengthen ND, each designed to operate community-based grant programs that further decentralize grantmaking power. The 2025 Bush Prize program awarded $250,000 each to Dakota Wicohan and Foster Advocates in Minnesota, and to Abbott House and Youth & Family Services, Inc. in South Dakota. The 2026 Bush Fellowship applications opened September 2, 2025 and closed October 7, 2025, with up to 30 fellows expected to be selected. Ecosystem Grants are scheduled to open their next application round in 2026, occurring on a 3-year cycle. The Minnesota Community IDEAS Program, launched in partnership with Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, is distributing $1.6 million annually from 2025 through 2027. The Bush Foundation's Media Partnerships program last accepted applications in 2024, providing three-year operating grants of up to $150,000 to nonprofit news organizations. The foundation's 2024 performance scorecard showed that 59% of applicant survey respondents rated the foundation's processes as better than other foundations, indicating strong applicant satisfaction with their streamlined approach.

1. Contact staff before applying: The Bush Foundation strongly encourages prospective applicants to reach out to staff at staff@bushfoundation.org or (651) 227-0891 before submitting any application. This preliminary conversation helps determine fit and can save significant time. 2. Understand which program fits: The foundation offers many distinct programs with different eligibility requirements, grant sizes, and timelines. Community Innovation grants suit organizations pursuing large-scale systemic change ($472K-$8.2M), while Ecosystem Grants serve established community resources ($450K over 3 years). Smaller organizations (budgets under $500K) serving Native communities should explore the Good Relatives Collaborative ($20K-$60K). 3. Emphasize community-led approaches: Given the foundation's power-sharing model and 43% of grants supporting community-led efforts, applications that demonstrate genuine community engagement, co-design with affected populations, and power-sharing within your own organization will resonate strongly. 4. Highlight equity commitments: With 41% of grants going to Native communities and a $100M Community Trust Fund for racial equity, applicants should clearly articulate their equity approach and impact on underserved populations. 5. Plan for multi-year timelines: Most Bush Foundation grants are multi-year (3-8 years for Community Innovation), so present a compelling long-term vision rather than short-term project proposals. For Bush Fellowship applicants, share your application draft with trusted colleagues for feedback before the October deadline, and design a self-directed leadership plan that connects personal growth to community impact.