Find funding for your organization
A big part of what we do is make grants to organizations that are working to make the region better for everyone.
This section is chock full of funding opportunities for organizations that are improving the lives of people in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and the 23 Native nations sharing that geography.
It includes opportunities that we fund and operate ourselves, and grant programs that others operate with funding support from us.
We strive to be a radically open organization and share lots of information about our grantmaking approach.
Bush-operated programs
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Community Innovation grants & PRIs
This is our largest and most flexible program that aims to have a big and lasting impact in the region. We fund the most promising ideas, across issue areas, that have the potential to make our region better for everyone. We typically offer multi-year funding of significant amounts, which also means we give a small number of grants each year. Before applying for a grant, we strongly encourage you to contact us so we can learn about your idea and help answer questions.
Learn more about Community Innovation grants & PRIs
Photography courtesy of North Dakota Native Tourism Alliance -
Photography by Bruce Silcox Ecosystem grants
There are scores of organizations that support problem solvers throughout the region. These are the organizations that people tell us are valued for the resources and help they provide. We support their capacity to help others and create the conditions, or ecosystem, for more organizations and leaders to find creative solutions to tough problems.
Learn more about Ecosystem grants -
Giving Days
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.
Learn more about Giving Days -
Media partnerships program
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.
Learn more about Media partnerships program -
Memberships program
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.
Learn more about Memberships program -
Partnership Fund
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.
Learn more about Partnership Fund
Partner-operated programs
We support a range of community-based programs that are operated by organizations with the relationships and experiences to serve their communities well.
For any of these programs, please contact the operating partner directly with questions. Opportunities are listed in alphabetical order by program name.
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Beyond Idea Grant Program
South Dakota Community Foundation
Open to organizations serving South Dakota. This program supports projects that demonstrate meaningful investment and engagement in South Dakota communities. Important considerations are how a project is community-based and whether there is demonstrated support in a community for the project.
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Bush Prize
Multiple community grant partners
Open to organizations serving the region. The Bush Prize celebrates organizations in our region that are highly valued within their communities and have a track record of successful community problem solving. Funds are flexible and can be used to build up reserves, test that next big idea or whatever else would best support an organization’s ongoing good work. We work through 4 community grant partners to operate 4 Bush Prize programs throughout the region.
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Creative Community Solutions
Strengthen ND
Open to organizations serving North Dakota. This program funds the most promising ideas, across issue areas, that have the potential to make our state better for everyone. Grants invest in efforts to develop and test ideas to solve problems and create opportunity, and then spread the best ideas across communities. The program enlists a grantmaking committee of diverse North Dakotans to make decisions about how the funds will be invested.
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Good Relatives Collaborative Grants
Good Relatives Collaborative
Open to organizations or groups serving Native communities. Guided by the Native worldview of the life cycle, this program supports organizations or groups seeking funding that may be at different stages of development. Applicants at all stages of growth to apply and evolve through the process of learning and teaching.
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Minnesota Community IDEAS Program
Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation
Open to organizations serving Minnesota and the 11 Native nations that share that geography. This opportunity seeks to design, test and spread ideas that make our communities better for everyone through meaningful, community-led change.
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