For our region to work well for everyone, we need quality news and information to understand what’s happening in our communities and how we can work together to solve tough problems.
We also know that producing high-quality, engaging information that breaks through the information overload of the digital age is increasingly difficult and expensive. It requires an experienced community of writers, journalists and storytellers. It requires up-to-date technologies. It requires a strong desire to tell the stories that might not otherwise be told.
We work with nonprofit media organizations throughout the region to support their coverage of news, information and stories that help more people and organizations work together to make our region better for everyone.
By supporting nonprofit media organizations, we also are able to:
- Amplify our work and offerings and that of our grantees
- Raise awareness throughout our grantmaking region about the stories and people doing creative problem solving
- Help people and organizations connect who are working on similar efforts
This program is distinct from our other grantmaking programs. The grants support general operations, and our partners support specific Foundation communications projects. For instance, we might place public service announcements with a partner or announce the Bush Fellows each year.
How the program works
We provide three-year, flexible, operating grants to nonprofit news media organizations that meet the program criteria.
We then work with each organization to explore possible projects for amplifying our work and that of our grant partners. To do this well, the Foundation and media partner agrees to:
- Be transparent about the partnership, benefits and funds involved.
- Ensure creative and editorial independence. Media partners are not obligated to produce coverage about the Foundation or take particular positions in their reporting.
- Negotiate reasonable benefits. There is no requirement that benefits must equal the grant amount.
Organizations may receive a total of up to $150,000 in operating support over three years. The annual grant amount is typically 25% of the organization’s expenses, up to $50,000 per year. We expect that to be roughly 10 grants.
Questions about this opportunity? Please contact Kari Ruth, communications director, at kruth@bushfoundation.org.
Questions about any other opportunities we support? We want to hear from you! Connect with us.
Information for applicants
To be eligible for this program opportunity, all applicants need to:
- Be a 501(c)(3) public charity or have a fiscal sponsor
- Provide public services that serve a journalistic, informational or educational purpose
- Be able to broadcast their content and reach audiences through mass communications like print publications, TV, radio, podcasts and advertising
- Serve the communities of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota or the 23 Native nations that share the same geography
Organizations that do not have 501(c)(3) status may submit an application through a fiscal sponsor. The fiscal sponsor must submit the grant application. If the grant is approved, the fiscal sponsor becomes the grantee and receives the funds. Learn more about fiscal sponsorships.
Please note that this program is not a fit for nonprofit organizations seeking to increase their own communications and marketing efforts, such as an arts organization seeking funding for a podcast, video or marketing campaign.
We are interested in organizations that can demonstrate all of the following to some degree:
- The organization is able to reach diverse audiences, which can include age, geography, race and ethnicity, sector or perspectives.
- The organization is recognized as a trusted, recognized or quality source of information.
- The organization provides content representative of the communities and audiences it serves.
- The organization collaborates with others in the field to share and distribute news and stories to more audiences.
- The organization aligns with Bush operating values.
- Your application can be submitted online.
- Applications should be no more than 4 pages.
- Applications are due Thursday, November 21 at noon Central.
application questions
To help us better understand your work, please address the following questions. We aren't looking for every detail but a general sense of how you do your work in these ways.
1. How are you reaching diverse audiences?
- In what ways does your programming reflect the diversity of the communities you serve?
- Do you have marketing or outreach activities that help you reach different audiences?
2. How are you understood by your field or peers and the communities you serve?
- In your field, how is an organization known to be a trusted, recognized or quality source of information?
- Can the communities you serve show their support of your work? This might be through subscriptions, memberships or donations.
3. How does your content represent the communities and audiences you serve?
- What types of stories or content do you produce?
- Are your journalists, production teams or other staff from the communities or audiences you serve?
4. How do you collaborate with others?
- Do you partner with peers in the field or community members to provide or share news or information?
- Do you offer any sort of programs that help further collaboration?
5. Is there anything else you’d like us to know about your work for the purposes of this application?
Note: If you’re applying as a fiscal sponsor, please include the organization and contact information for the sponsored organization and the fiscal sponsorship agreement.