All Grants & Opportunities

We are a place-based foundation that invests in great ideas and the people who power them in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and the 23 Native nations that share the same geography. Keep scrolling to learn more about the programs and efforts we support that help people and organizations problem solve in their communities.

For programs where we denote a program partner, please contact that partner for information about applying and more.

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For

People

Bush Fellowship

Support Amount

Up to $150,000

The Bush Fellowship is an investment in people and their capacity to do more good for the region — and it's super flexible. Fellows receive $150,000 to grow their capacity, knowledge and network to lead. Bush Fellows are committed to leading equitably to create large-scale change. Operated by Bush Foundation

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For

Organizations

Bush Prize: Native Nations, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota

Contact program partners for info

Support Amount

Up to $500,000

The Bush Prize celebrates organizations that are highly valued within their communities and have a track record of successful community problem solving. There are four Bush Prize opportunities throughout our region, operated by community grant partners. Created and funded by Bush Foundation

Always Open

For

Organizations

Community Innovation

Open

We accept applications year-round. Connect with us to see if your work is a fit.

Support Amount

$20,000 and up

The Community Innovation program invests in ideas with potential to have transformational impact and make the region better for everyone. We provide grants and/or program-related investments (PRIs) to support work on a range of issues, and we do not have caps on the amount or duration of the funding. Operated by Bush Foundation

Resource

For

Organizations

Ecosystem Grants & Organizations

RESOURCE

Organizations that help others problem solve in the region

We support organizations that support others to solve problems in their communities through our Ecosystem program. Learn more about these organizations and the opportunities they provide. Applications open every three years and will be available in 2026. Operated by Bush Foundation

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For

Organizations

Beyond Idea Grant Program

Learn More

Contact the program partner directly for more info

Support Amount

$5,000 to $100,000 per year

Developed and operated by South Dakota Community Foundation, this program funds community-based problem-solving efforts in South Dakota. Funded by Bush Foundation

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For

People

Change Networks

Partner operated

Contact the program partner directly for more info

Support Amount

$5,000 in project funds

Change Networks inspire, equip and connect leaders in North Dakota and South Dakota to lead long-lasting change in a more equitable and inclusive way. Participants receive cohort-based training, coaching and mentorship, and $5,000 in project funds to apply the skills they learn. Funded by Bush Foundation

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For

People

Collective Abundance Fund

Partner Operated

Contact the program partner directly for more info

Support Amount

$25,000 to $50,000

Operated by NDN Collective, this fund provides cash awards to individuals and families from Indigenous communities to support their dreams and aspirations of rebuilding Indigenous wealth. Applicants must reside in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota or the 23 Native nations that share the same geography. Please contact NDN Collective with inquiries. Funded by Bush Foundation

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For

Organizations

Creative Community Solutions

Partner Operated

Contact the program partner directly for info

Support Amount

Up to $300,000 over 6 years

Developed and operated by StrengthenND, this program funds community-based problem-solving efforts in North Dakota. Funded by Bush Foundation

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For

People

FINNOVATION Fellowship

Partner operated

Contact the program partner directly for more info

Support Amount

$53,000 stipend

Operated by Finnovation Lab, the FINNOVATION Fellowship supports impact-driven entrepreneurs as they lead and launch sustainable and innovative businesses. Fellows receive training and support, dedicated space at FINN Lab, and a $50,000 stipend plus $3,000 towards health care. Funded by Bush Foundation

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For

Organizations

Giving Days support

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Applications closed at noon Central on May 9, 2024

Support Amount

Varies

Giving Days are a fun and engaging way to raise awareness and funds to support nonprofit organizations that are making the region better for everyone. We have helped fund Giving Days throughout the region since 2009. It is another way we are able to support hundreds of organizations throughout our region. Operated and funded by Bush Foundation

Open

For

Organizations

Good Relatives Collaborative Grants

Open

First cycle applications close on June 28. Contact the program partner directly for more info.

Support Amount

Varies

Developed and operated by Good Relatives Collaborative, these are flexible, responsive grants for Native Nations, rural, and urban Native grassroots and constituency-led organizations engaged in community-powered problem-solving in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota. Funded by Bush Foundation

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For

People

Initiators Fellowship

Partner operated

Contact the program partner directly for more info

Support Amount

$30,000 annual stipend

Operated by the Initiative Foundation, the Initiators Fellowship supports early-stage social entrepreneurs in Greater Minnesota working to address a social or environmental challenge. It is a two-year program and Fellows receive individual and cohort-based training, mentoring and guidance, and a $30,000 annual stipend. Funded by Bush Foundation and others

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For

Organizations

Media Partnerships program

Support Amount

Up to $50,000 per year

We provide funding to a small number of nonprofit media organizations doing work that aligns with our organizational purpose of inspiring and supporting creative problem solving that makes the region better for everyone. Operated by Bush Foundation

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For

Organizations

Memberships program

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We review potential memberships annually

Support Amount

Varies

We participate in many regional and national efforts that support the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors. We review existing and new requests from member organizations and funder collaboratives annually. Operated by Bush Foundation

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For

Organizations

Minnesota Community IDEAS Grant Program

Learn More

Contact the program partner directly for more info

Support Amount

Total of $160,000, paid over 3 years

Developed and operated by the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, this program funds community-based problem-solving efforts in Minnesota and the 11 Native Nations that share the same geography. Funded by Bush Foundation

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For

People

Native Nations Rebuilders

Partner operated

Contact the program partner directly for more info

Support Amount

Varies

Operated by Native Governance Center, the Native Nation Rebuilders program connects Native leaders and equips them with Indigenized tools and frameworks they can use to help rebuild their nations. It is a two-year cohort-based program open to enrolled members of the 23 Native nations that share geography with Minnesota, North Dakota or South Dakota. Funded by Bush Foundation (Photo courtesy of Akiptan/Sky Bear Media)

Open

For

People

Open Road Fund

Partner operated

Applications open June 19 through July 19, 2024. Contact the program partner directly for more info.

Support Amount

$50,000

Operated by Nexus Community Partners, this fund provides individual grants of $50,000 to individuals from Black communities to support their path to build generational wealth. Applicants must reside in Minnesota, North Dakota or South Dakota and be descendants of the Atlantic Slave Trade. Please contact Nexus Community Partners directly with inquiries. Funded by Bush Foundation

Open

For

Organizations

Partnership Fund

Support Amount

Up to $150,000

The Partnership Fund is for unusual situations in which there is an opportunity for us to help attract outside resources to the region; or to partner with other funders to address significant challenges; or other unique opportunities that do not fit into any of our other programs. Operated by Bush Foundation

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All Grants & Opportunities