According to a 2002 report by John Kohring, then a long-term consultant to the Foundation, what is unique for immigrant and refugee communities in the U.S. is that “immigration laws are subject to frequent change according to political developments.” He noted that the Foundation’s open-door policy for human services grant requests allowed it “to respond successfully to rapid developments” and be a major funder for projects that provide legal services for immigrants.

Summary of Giving
From 1972 to 2008, the Foundation awarded 277 grants amounting to nearly $30 million in support of programs for immigrants and refugees (see full list). Programs typically funded were those that:

		Strengthened a community’s capacity to manage new life in America
		Had credibility within the refugee community
		Developed or improved a current system of services

Learn More....
   Background
   Lessons Learned
   Grants Overview and List
   

Reports and Evaluations

Two-part report:
Funding for Refugee/Immigrant Programs: A Profile of Bush Foundation Grants 1988-1998
and
Challenges in Grantmaking for Refugee/Immigrant Programs: A Summary of Interviews with Bush Foundation Board, Staff and Consultants, Margaret Walker Bringewatt, June 2000
		This report on grantmaking for refugee and immigrant programs between 1988 and 1998 provides a profile of Foundation grants and accomplishments in this area during the 10-year period.
Assessment of Services for Immigrants and Refugees in Minnesota, Richard Gehrman and Associates, April 2000
		This report assesses the impact of welfare reform on immigrant and refugee communities in Minnesota. It describes the issues identified by key informants and outlines promising program models and potential solutions.

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