Memberships program

We participate in many regional and national efforts that support the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors. Some of these are memberships, some are participation in funder collaboratives and some are a mix of the two.

Our support of these efforts, including memberships, typically comes in the form of a grant. It is an opportunity to live our value of work beyond ourselves—a chance to lead and follow, an opportunity to work in collaboration with others to have more impact.

What we fund

We are a member or participant of the following organizations:

  • Asian American Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy
  • Association of Black Foundation Execs
  • Aurora Institute
  • Building Movement Project (Leadership Development Funders Group)
  • Candid
  • Communications Network
  • Council on Foundations
  • Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP)
  • Foundation Financial Officers Group
  • Generation Next
  • Grantmakers for Education
  • Grantmakers for Effective Organizations
  • Grantmakers in the Arts
  • Hispanics in Philanthropy
  • Independent Sector
  • Itasca Project
  • Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
  • Minnesota Council on Foundations
  • Minnesota Evaluation Association
  • Mission Investors Exchange
  • National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy
  • Native Americans in Philanthropy
  • North Dakota Association of Nonprofit Organizations
  • PEAK Grantmaking
  • Saint Paul Chamber of Commerce
  • Technology Association of Grantmakers

See what a membership org can do for you

People tell us that they value what these organizations have to offer. We think you’ll find them helpful, too!

Everything you need to know to apply

We review memberships annually, starting in July. Contact us with any questions.

How to apply

If you would like to be considered for this program, just email us your membership materials or a link to the relevant page(s) on your website to staff@bushfoundation.org.

Please include your mission, typical support amounts and member benefits (if applicable). If we’re currently a member of your organization, you will automatically be considered for renewal and there is no need to submit materials.

Some proposals we receive are a better fit for our Partnership Fund. If that’s the case, we’ll let you know.

Criteria we use to make a decision

We are interested in being a member of regional or national efforts that do some or all of the following:

  • Focus on areas that align with our mission or strategy.
  • Provide data and analysis of trends in the philanthropic and/or nonprofit sector.
  • Provide benefits to our staff and board for their learning and development.

We sometimes provide additional funding to organizations we support as a member. We will consider funding opportunities that do some or all of the following:

  • Directly benefit people and communities in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and or the 23 Native nations that share the same geography. Extra consideration will be given to opportunities hosted in this region.
  • Have the potential for significant impact in the philanthropic and/or nonprofit sector.
  • Advance racial equity in the philanthropic and/or nonprofit sector.
  • Are aligned with the Foundation’s mission and programs.
  • We review memberships annually. Current memberships will be automatically considered for renewal, alongside any new requests we receive.
  • We review our existing memberships and any new requests in July.
  • We make decisions about our organization memberships in August.
    We notify organizations in September.
  • We make payments to membership organizations in January of the next calendar year.
  • We will consider requests for event support or special opportunities from organizations that we currently support through memberships.

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When we use jargon, we provide the context and definition for what we mean.

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