What We're Learning

We are a learning organization and work to be smarter and more effective every year. We never lose sight of the reason we exist: to do the most possible good with the resources left to the community by Archibald G. Bush. Here we share the lessons we learn through our efforts, as well as the insights of our grantees and Fellows.

Legal Services of North Dakota
Bush Prize Case Study

The staff at Legal Services of North Dakota (LSND) struggled for years to balance intake procedures with providing quality legal representation for low-income, disadvantaged and elderly populations across North Dakota. To fix that, LSND streamlined applications through a centralized intake system that transformed its work.

Native American Community Development Institute
Bush Prize Case Study

The Native American Community Development Institute (NACDI) spent three years asking Native people what they wanted for their future, as opposed to what they needed to meet their basic needs. The gatherings resulted in a rich and bold vision for a vibrant, resilient community that celebrates Native identity.

Cannon River Watershed Partnership
Bush Prize Case Study

The Cannon River Watershed Partnership (CRWP) working with The Southeast Minnesota Wastewater Initiative (SMWI), has prevented 94 million gallons of untreated sewage from entering the state’s rivers and streams over the past decade. The SMWI project is a partnership between CRWP, the Southeast Minnesota Water Resources Board, and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

Mural
Bush Prize Case Study
Minnesota Valley Action Council
Bush Prize Case Study

The Minnesota Valley Action Council (MVAC), one of the nation’s 1,100 Community Action Agencies, is a regional leader in the fight against poverty.

Teen Up
Bush Prize Case Study

Rapid City Area Schools – Teen Up (Teen Up) is a group of youth from a wide range of backgrounds and achievements who collaborate with each other and community partners to address issues they deem important.

Reflections from Bush Fellows and Grantees

Learning Logs

People celebrating
Learning Logs
Community Innovation process
Learning Logs