FundersMinnesota

The Bush Foundation

St Paul, MN · EIN 41-6017815. Reported 645 grants totalling $289.3M to 246 organizations across tax years 2021-2024. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.

Yesaccepts unsolicited requests
$100,000median grant
$289.3Mgranted, 2021-2024
246organizations funded
65%of grantees funded again the next year
$1.5Bassets, latest filing

Does this foundation accept applications?

Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. The Bush Foundation did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.

This is the foundation's own statement to the IRS, not our judgement, and it says nothing about whether they have a form, a deadline, or an appetite for new grantees. Treat it as the reason this foundation is worth your research time, not as an invitation. Many small foundations of this kind have no website and no application process -- a letter of inquiry is the normal first step.

How big are its grants?

The median grant is $100,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $28,500 and $250,000; the smallest was $1,000 and the largest $50.0M. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.

$1,000 - $5,000
2 grants
$5,000 - $10,000
20 grants
$10,000 - $25,000
111 grants
$25,000 - $50,000
63 grants
$50,000 - $100,000
50 grants
$100,000 and Up
399 grants

Every organization it funded

This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which the organization received money -- more than one means a real relationship rather than a one-off.

OrganizationLocationTotal receivedGrantsYears fundedLast
Nexus Community PartnersSaint Paul, MN$54.2M742024
Ndn Collective IncRapid City, SD$50.5M322022
Saint Paul and Minnesota FoundationSaint Paul, MN$9,638,5001742024
South Dakota Community FoundationPierre, SD$6,180,000742024
Four Bands Community Fund IncEagle Butte, SD$5,510,000832024
Local Initiatives Support CorporationNew York, NY$5,500,000212021
Native Governance CenterMinneapolis, MN$4,788,995432024
Northwest North Dakota Community Foundation IncWilliston, ND$4,466,000532024
Exodus Financial ServicesSt Paul, MN$4,200,000112024
Native American Community ClinicMinneapolis, MN$4,035,000542024
Indian Land Tenure FoundationLittle Canada, MN$4,020,000842024
Family Housing FundMinneapolis, MN$4,000,000112021
Build Wealth Mn IncMinneapolis, MN$3,937,500332024
Northside Economic Opportunity NetworkMinneapolis, MN$3,822,000442024
Propel NonprofitsMinneapolis, MN$3,328,000842024
Bureau of Indian AffairsWashington, DC$3,150,000112024
City of Saint PaulSaint Paul, MN$3,150,000332024
National Arts Strategies IncAlexandria, VA$3,137,600432023
Renewable Energy PartnersMinneapolis, MN$3,000,000222024
Southwest Initiative FoundationHutchinson, MN$2,700,000112022
Makoce Agriculture DevelopmentPorcupine, SD$2,625,000332024
Owamniyomni OkhodayapiMinneapolis, MN$2,625,000112024
Finnovation InstituteMinneapolis, MN$2,585,000332023
Minnesota Inclusive Growth Fund LLCMinneapolis, MN$2,500,000112021
Wakan Tipi AwanyankapiSaint Paul, MN$2,482,095112024
Minneapolis FoundationMinneapolis, MN$2,450,000332024
Headwaters Foundation for JusticeMinneapolis, MN$2,380,000432023
Knowledgeworks FoundationCincinnati, OH$2,234,737642024
City of Lakes Community Land TrustMinneapolis, MN$2,206,000212021
Land Bank Twin Cities IncSaint Anthony, MN$2,100,000112022
Shared Capital CooperativeSaint Paul, MN$2,100,000222023
North American Traditional Indigenous Food SystemsMinneapolis, MN$1,995,000112022
Rosebud Economic Development CorporationMission, SD$1,800,000112021
Family Tree IncMinneapolis, MN$1,737,000532024
Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio IncSaint Paul, MN$1,700,000112024
St Luke's Hospital of DuluthDuluth, MN$1,700,000112023
Naca-Inspired Schools NetworkAlbuquerque, NM$1,631,667332023
Education EvolvingMinneaoplis, MN$1,535,000942024
Black Hills Special Services CooperativeSturgis, SD$1,487,500632023
Minnesota Council on FoundationsMinneapolis, MN$1,483,5001842024
Northcountry Cooperative FoundationSt Paul, MN$1,410,000112024
Sacred Pipe Resource CenterMandan, ND$1,400,000442024
Leavitt PartnersWashington, DC$1,335,000112024
Enhancing and Strengthening North Dakota Nonprofits & CommunitiesMinot, ND$1,303,000642024
Springboard for the ArtsSaint Paul, MN$1,293,000842024
Midwest Indigenous Immersion NetworkGarrison, MN$1,270,050112024
Black Hills Area Community FoundationRapid City, SD$1,150,000112022
North Dakota State UniversityFargo, ND$1,070,000842024
South Dakota Education Equity Coalition (sdeec)Black Hawk, SD$1,070,000222024
Running Strong for American Indian YouthAlexandria, VA$1,015,000222024
The Modern Classrooms Project IncWashington, DC$1,000,000322023
North Dakota Community FoundationMinot, ND$994,000332024
Centro De Trabajadores Unidos En LuchaMinneapolis, MN$988,000222023
Metropolitan Consortium of Community DevelopersMinneapolis, MN$982,665112024
Thunder Valley Community Development CorporationPorcupine, SD$959,000332023
Impact FoundationFargo, ND$956,300942024
Lake Street CouncilMinneapolis, MN$950,000112024
Gender JusticeSaint Paul, MN$936,000222023
All SquareMinneapolis, MN$907,000222023
GivemnMinneapolis, MN$902,600542024
Initiative FoundationLittle Falls, MN$880,000442024
South Central Service CooperativeNorth Mankato, MN$870,000222023
Nonviolent PeaceforceSaint Paul, MN$806,000332024
Ducks Unlimited IncMemphis, TN$787,500112024
West Side Citizens OrganizationSaint Paul, MN$760,000222022
Achieve Twin CitiesMinneapolis, MN$750,000222023
Amherst H Wilder FoundationSaint Paul, MN$734,325742024
The Equity in Action Way FoundationMinneapolis, MN$718,858112024
Arts MidwestMinneapolis, MN$687,500322022
Prison Fellowship MinistriesLandsdowne, VA$656,000112021
Dakota ResourcesRenner, SD$625,000642024
African American Leadership ForumMinneapolis, MN$610,000542024
Latino Economic Development CenterSaint Paul, MN$610,000332024
Lower Phalen Creek ProjectSaint Paul, MN$608,500112021
President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeCambridge, MA$607,524112021
World Wildlife Fund IncWashington, DC$600,000112021
Minnesota Council of NonprofitsSaint Paul, MN$591,000942024
Minneapolis St Paul Regional Economic Development PartnershipSaint Paul, MN$570,000642024
North American Council for Online LearningArlington, VA$540,000642024
Tanka FundKyle, SD$534,000332023
Center for Economic InclusionSaint Paul, MN$530,000542024
Emerging PrairieFargo Nd, ND$530,000542024
Lost and Found AssociationSioux Falls, SD$529,600222024
Mn Zej ZogNew Hope, MN$525,000332024
The Compass CenterSioux Falls, SD$523,135112022
Tiwahe FoundationSaint Paul, MN$520,000542024
Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of the University of ArizonaTucson, AZ$510,000442024
Citizens LeagueSaint Paul, MN$510,000442024
Coalition of Asian American LeadersSaint Paul, MN$510,000442024
First Peoples FundRapid City, SD$510,000442024
Minnesota Education Equity PartnershipSaint Paul, MN$510,000442024
Regents of the University of MinnesotaMinneapolis, MN$510,000442024
Edvisions Schools IncHenderson, MN$500,000222022
Finnovation Lab LLCMinneapolis, MN$500,000112021
Mid-Minnesota Legal Assistance IncorporatedMinneapolis, MN$500,000112021
Arts South DakotaSioux Falls, SD$490,000442024
Rural Philanthropy InstituteRapid City, SD$476,300642024
Hispanic Advocacy and Community Empowerment Through ResearchSaint Paul, MN$472,500112024
Akiing Community Development CorporationOsage, MN$462,400222022
The Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples IncFort Yates, ND$450,000222023
Four Bands Community Fund IncAncram, NY$447,000112023
Hennepin Health FoundationMinneapolis, MN$417,559212021
Helpline Center IncSioux Falls, SD$405,000112021
Sacred Purposes IncRapid City, SD$405,000332024
Wallin Education PartnersSaint Paul, MN$400,000112022
The Consensus Council IncBismarck, ND$398,000442024
Global Health Alliance IncBloomington, MN$367,500112024
The Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples IncMckinleyville, CA$359,000112021
Pollen MidwestMinneapolis, MN$334,000742024
Oyate HotaninSaint Paul, MN$330,000422022
Mastery Transcript ConsortiumWinchester, MA$324,000112022
Commission for Oceti Sakowin AccreditationPine Ridge, SD$310,000222023
Philanthrofund FoundationMinneapolis, MN$310,000222024
Voices for Racial JusticeMinneapolis, MN$310,000222024
Women & TechnologyBismarck, ND$310,000222024
Lakota FundsKyle, SD$309,000212021
LatinoleadSaint Paul, MN$307,000542024
Center for Rural Policy and DevelopmentMankato, MN$304,000222024
Borealis PhilanthropyMinneapolis, MN$300,000332023
Lindsay Unified School DistrictLindsay, CA$300,000112021
Minneapolis Area Synod ELCAMinneapolis, MN$300,000112021
State of North Dakota North Dakota Indian Affairs CommissionBismarck, ND$300,000222022
State of South Dakota Department of Tribal RelationsPierre, SD$300,000222022
Hopa Mountain IncBozeman, MT$295,000432023
Alliance for Metropolitan StabilityMinneapolis, MN$270,000112021
Sex Workers Outreach ProjectWalnut, CA$258,000112022
Great Plains Tribal Chairman's AssociationRapid City, SD$250,000332023
Reviving the Islamic Sisterhood for EmpowermentMinneapolis, MN$250,000222024
Greater Twin Cities United WayMinneapolis, MN$225,000332024
Oglala Lakota Structural Fire DepartmentPine Ridge, SD$221,063222023
AkiptanEagle Butte, SD$209,000222022
National Lead for America IncDodge City, KS$209,000112021
Prairie Island Indian CommunityWelch, MN$209,000112021
Communities United Against Police BrutalityMinneapolis, MN$208,000112021
Minnesota Medication Repository ProgramMinneapolis, MN$208,000222022
North Dakota Council on the ArtsBismarck, ND$208,000112021
OneheartRapid City, SD$207,000112021
Minot State UniversityMinot, ND$206,408112022
African Career Education & Resources IncBrooklyn Park, MN$200,000222022
National Congress of American IndiansWashington, DC$200,000222022
South Dakota State UniversityBrookings, SD$200,000222022
Women and Technology - a PartnershipBismarck, ND$200,000222022
YouthpriseMinneapolis, MN$200,000112021
Niibi CenterCallaway, MN$198,000222022
Native Ways FederationSaint Paul, MN$196,000222024
Tribal Nations Research GroupBelcourt, ND$188,000332023
Art of the RuralWinona, MN$182,000332023
Social Enterprise MspSaint Paul, MN$165,000542024
Amalgamated Charitable Foundation IncWashington, DC$150,000112023
Council on FoundationsWashington, DC$150,000642024
Grow South DakotaSisseton, SD$150,000112023
Minnesota Black Collective FoundationMinneapolis, MN$150,000112024
Minnesota Chapter of the National Association of Corporate DirectorsMinneapolis, MN$150,000112023
Minnesota Learner Centered NetworkSt Paul, MN$150,000222023
Minnesota Social Impact CenterMinneapolis, MN$150,000332023
Rural Development Finance CorporationMandan, ND$150,000112024
Saint Paul Downtown AllianceSaint Paul, MN$150,000112024
State of Minnesota Department of Management and BudgetSaint Paul, MN$150,000112021
Minnesota Public RadioSt Paul, MN$142,500322024
Grantmakers for Effective OrganizationsWashington, DC$138,000742024
Benchmark Data LabsRapid City, SD$125,000112021
CandidNew York, NY$125,000442024
Tuttle Rural Innovation CorporationTuttle, ND$116,000222022
Friends of South Dakota Public BroadcastingSioux Falls, SD$110,700332024
Hope Community IncMinneapolis, MN$110,000222024
Sioux Falls Area Community FoundationSioux Falls, SD$105,000222022
Twin Cities Public Television IncSt Paul, MN$105,000332024
Access Philanthropy CharitiesMinneapolis, MN$100,000112021
African Economic Development SolutionsSaint Paul, MN$100,000112021
Greater Minnesota Housing FundSaint Paul, MN$100,000112024
Healing Justice FoundationSaint Paul, MN$100,000112021
Immigrant Development CenterMoorhead, MN$100,000112021
Independent SectorWashington, DC$100,000642024
Innovation Network IncWashington, DC$100,000112021
North Dakota Rural Electric Cooperative FoundationMandan, ND$100,000112021
Northland FoundationDuluth, MN$100,000112022
Southside Harm Reduction ServicesMinneapolis, MN$100,000112021
The Avalon Charter SchoolSaint Paul, MN$100,000112021
The Enitan StoryFridley, MN$100,000112022
Prairie Public Broadcasting IncFargo, ND$96,900332024
Native Americans in PhilanthropyWashington, DC$95,000542024
North Dakota Human Rights CoalitionFargo, ND$94,000222024
Association of Black Foundation ExecutivesNew York, NY$90,000542024
Preservation Alliance of MinnesotaSaint Paul, MN$90,000112022
Vision West Nd IncDickinson, ND$88,000222024
Asian American-Pacific Islanders in PhilanthropyOakland, CA$80,000442024
Bii Gii Wiin Community Development Loan FundMinneapolis, MN$75,000112021
Connectup InstituteSaint Paul, MN$75,000112022
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Renewable Energy Power Authority IncorporatedFort Yates, ND$75,000112022
Association of Minnesota Public Educational Radio StationsMendota Heights, MN$71,200332024
National Committee for Responsive PhilanthropyWashington, DC$65,000442024
Grantmakers for EducationPortland, OR$60,350542024
Sahan JournalSt Paul, MN$54,000332024
The Duluth-Superior Area Educational Television CorporationDuluth, MN$54,000332024
Leech Lake Financial Services IncCass Lake, MN$50,000112021
Hispanics in PhilanthropySan Francisco, CA$49,997542024
Peak Grantmaking IncWashington, DC$46,000532024
Grantmakers in the ArtsBronx, NY$45,000542024
Plains Art MuseumFargo, ND$40,000222022
Possibility LabsOakland, CA$37,500222023
North Dakota Association of Nonprofit Organizations IncBismarck, ND$35,000332024
Pillsbury United CommunitiesMinneapolis, MN$32,500222024
High School for Recording ArtsSaint Paul, MN$30,000112021
MinnpostMinneapolis, MN$30,000222024
Womn ActSaint Paul, MN$30,000212021
OshikiimajtadahRedby, MN$28,657112023
Red Lake Nation CollegeRed Lake, MN$28,657112023
Beta GroupMinneapolis, MN$25,000112021
Great River SchoolSaint Paul, MN$25,000112021
Higher Ground Church of God in ChristSt Cloud, MN$25,000112021
Ifp MinnesotaSaint Paul, MN$25,000112024
Sisseton Arts CouncilSisseton, SD$25,000112021
Third Sector New England IncBoston, MA$25,000222024
Tides CenterNew York, NY$25,000222023
American Indian Oic IncMinneapolis, MN$20,000112021
Cherokee Park United ChurchSaint Paul, MN$20,000112021
National Indian Education AssociationWashington, DC$20,000112021
Rural Ethnic InstituteRapid City, SD$20,000112024
Saint Paul Chamber of Commerce FoundationSaint Paul, MN$20,000112021
TedxminneapolisSaint Paul, MN$20,000112021
University of Minnesota FoundationMinneapolis, MN$20,000112021
West Central InitiativeFergus Falls, MN$20,000112021
Women's Foundation of MinnesotaMinneapolis, MN$20,000222024
YWCA of MinneapolisMinneapolis, MN$20,000112021
Mission Investors ExchangeNew York City, NY$15,750222024
Enterprise InstituteBrookings, SD$15,000112021
Magpie CreativeRapid City, SD$15,000112021
North Dakota Humanities CouncilBismarck, ND$15,000112021
The Circle CorporationMinneapolis, MN$15,000222024
Emerging Practitioners in PhilanthropyNew York, NY$12,500112024
Tides CenterSan Francisco, CA$12,500112021
AchieveminneapolisMinneapolis, MN$12,000112021
Education ReimaginedWashington, DC$10,000112021
Envision Communities IncMinneapolis, MN$10,000112023
Green Card VoicesMinneapolis, MN$10,000112021
Handson Twin CitiesSaint Paul, MN$10,000112021
Lunar IncSaint Paul, MN$10,000112021
Minnesota Community Action Assn Resources FundSaint Paul, MN$10,000112022
State of North Dakota Office of the GovernorBismarck, ND$10,000112021
Third Sector New England IncNew York, NY$10,000112023
United Way of Central MinnesotaSt Cloud, MN$10,000112022
Mission Investors ExchangeWashington, DC$7,500112022
Government Training ServicesSaint Paul, MN$5,000112021
Greater St Cloud Development CorporationSt Cloud, MN$5,000112021
South Dakota News WatchSioux Falls, SD$5,000112021
Technology Association of GrantmakersChicago, IL$5,000112024

135 of 246 (55%) received money in more than one year over the 4 years we hold.

Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 65%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is about typical. A high number means its list is close to settled and a newcomer has to displace someone; a low one means it is still moving money around, which is where an opening is.

Plus 17 grants to individuals totalling $10.2M -- scholarships, hardship and emergency assistance. We deliberately do not publish the names of people who received them, even though the filings do.

What the money was for

Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.

What kind of organizations it funds

By the recipient's own IRS classification, for the 469 grants where we could identify the organization. These are assigned categories, not our guesses.

Philanthropy & Grantmaking
129 grants
Community Improvement
74 grants
Arts & Culture
65 grants
Education
64 grants
Human Services
44 grants
Housing & Shelter
17 grants
Health Care
16 grants
Religion
13 grants

Giving by year

Tax yearGrantsTotalMedian grant
2021209$52.3M$100,000
2022159$98.3M$100,000
2023133$88.1M$160,000
2024144$50.7M$150,000

Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.

Already committed for future years

Form 990-PF has a separate schedule for grants approved but not yet paid. The Bush Foundation has 159 of them, worth $116.2M. This is the one part of the filing that looks forward rather than back -- and it also tells you how much of the next year's budget is already spoken for.

OrganizationLocationApproved
Leech Lake Tribal CouncilCass Lake, MN$7,659,750
Headwaters Foundation for JusticeMinneapolis, MN$7,500,000
South Dakota Community FoundationPierre, SD$7,500,000
Midwest Indigenous Immersion NetworkGarrison, MN$6,963,000
Four Bands Community Fund IncEagle Butte, SD$6,000,000
Northwest North Dakota Community Foundation IncWilliston, ND$6,000,000
Indian Land Tenure FoundationLittle Canada, MN$5,000,000
Saint Paul and Minnesota FoundationSaint Paul, MN$4,800,000
Minneapolis FoundationMinneapolis, MN$4,400,000
Native Governance CenterMinneapolis, MN$4,291,665
Renewable Energy PartnersMinneapolis, MN$3,000,000
Native American Community ClinicMinneapolis, MN$3,000,000
Build Wealth Mn IncMinneapolis, MN$2,750,000
The Equity in Action Way FoundationMinneapolis, MN$2,543,492
South Dakota Education Equity Coalition (sdeec)Black Hawk, SD$2,140,000

Where its money goes

Foundations concentrate geographically far more than their mission statements suggest. 59% of this one's giving went to organizations in Minnesota. If you are outside its footprint, that matters more than how well your programme fits.

Minnesota
$170.6M
South Dakota
$78.4M
North Dakota
$13.8M
District of Columbia
$7.2M
New York
$6.3M
Virginia
$5.3M
Ohio
$2.2M
New Mexico
$1.6M

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Funders that support the same organizations

These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are the strongest available signal that two funders have overlapping priorities, and a funder already backing your peers is a far warmer prospect than one that merely lists your cause.

Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation92 shared recipientsThe Mcknight Foundation91 shared recipientsThe Minneapolis Foundation87 shared recipientsFidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund86 shared recipientsOtto Bremer Trust78 shared recipientsDonor Advised Charitable Giving Inc77 shared recipients

How to approach this foundation

  1. Check you are its size. The median grant is $100,000. Asking for ten times that is the most common way small organizations waste a submission.
  2. Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Minnesota.
  3. Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
  4. Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.

Where these numbers come from

Everything above is taken from The Bush Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 4 returns (tax years 2021-2024). Nothing here is scraped, inferred, or estimated.

Address of record on the latest return: 428 Minnesota Street Suite 400, St Paul, MN, 55101. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.

EIN 41-6017815 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this

This is history, not an open call. Foundation returns are published about a year after the tax year ends. Nothing on this page is a deadline. It is a record of who this foundation has actually funded, which is the best available predictor of who it will fund next -- and a much better basis for deciding whether to write to them than a mission statement.

Is something here wrong about your foundation? Email hello@funderscope.com and we will correct it.