News

We're pleased to welcome Jackie Statum Allen as our Education Portfolio Director. Jackie has spent the last decade working in public school district administration. Most recently, she served as the Assistant Director for strategic planning, policy and grants development for Saint Paul Public Schools. In that role she led several high-impact projects including developing and implementing multiple district strategic plans and managing informational campaigns for referendum ballot issues.

A new report from First Nations Development Institute lists us as the 7th biggest foundation funder of Native issues in the U.S. On one hand, it is exciting to be recognized as one of the top funders of Native American organizations and causes. On the other hand, we are really small compared to most of the other foundations on the list. I believe a lot of funders are missing a great opportunity for impact.

Published 2018

For those of us who are focused on addressing social issues and trying to get others to care, it is almost irresistible to paint the bleakest possible picture. We share our stories and our data in a way that suggests things are horrible and getting worse. To do great things, we need to believe great things are possible. We need optimism.

Published 2018

Meet the 2018 Bush Fellows, 24 determined, adaptable leaders who are driven to improve their communities in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and the 23 Native nations that share the same geography.

Each of the new Bush Fellows will receive up to $100,000 to invest in their own leadership development. That is amazing and will support them to dream big about their growth as leaders. At the same time, when I think back about the experiences that made the biggest difference in my own leadership development, most of them were free.

Published 2018

One of the most fun parts of my job is meeting Bush Fellowship finalists when they come to our office to interview. Always an impressive and inspiring group, this year I was struck to see that more than a third of the finalists were immigrants or refugees to the U.S.

Published 2018

More than 30 organizations will partner with the Bush Foundation to produce bushCONNECT 2018, an event that will bring together more than 1,100 people to build and strengthen connections among leaders and leadership networks across Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and the 23 Native nations that share the same geography.

The Bush Foundation is about solving problems to make this region better for everyone. Solving our biggest problems requires working across difference. It requires truly listening and understanding the lived experiences of others. It requires engaging with each other in ways that bring out our best selves.

Published 2018

Erika Carter, who has spent 20 years developing expertise in public affairs, government relations and strategic communication, will join the Bush Foundation as its Communications Director. In that role, Carter will oversee a team that does a broad range of work from sharing inspiring stories about impactful leaders and organizations in our region to hosting and sponsoring events that connect good people who should know one another.

The Bush Foundation awarded the 2017 Bush Prize for Community Innovation to seven organizations with track records of making great ideas happen.