Bush Prize: Native Nations Grant

Bush Prize: Native Nations Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Bush Foundation
Amount: Up to US $250,000
Last Updated: March 24, 2026

Summary

The Bush Prize: Native Nations honors Native-led organizations committed to innovative solutions in their communities. Grants can reach up to $500,000, covering 25% of the organization’s previous fiscal year expenses. This annual award emphasizes collaboration and resourcefulness, supporting entities that are deeply valued in their communities and have proven success in addressing challenges. The program, a partnership with four community grant partners, aims to empower organizations in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and 23 Native Nations.

Overview

About the Bush Prize The Bush Prize celebrates organizations that are highly valued within their communities and have a track record of successful community problem solving. Bush Prize grants are flexible and can be used to build up reserves or test that next big idea or whatever else would best support the organization's ongoing good work. The grant amounts are up to 25% of an organization’s most recent fiscal year expenses, with a maximum of $500,000. Previously known as the Bush Prize for Community Innovation, the program is now known as the Bush Prize and is done in partnership between the Bush Foundation and its four community grant partners – Good Relatives Collaborative, Headwaters Foundation for Justice, South Dakota Community Foundation and Strengthen ND. Each partner operates the Bush Prize using similar criteria and announces the winners at the same time yet has the flexibility to run different application and selection timelines. The four partners also will select and announce the Bush Prize winners, as well as provide any support along the way. The Bush Prize: Native Nations The Bush Prize: Native Nations is an annual award that celebrates Native-led organizations that have a culture of innovation and a history of building creative solutions for challenges in Native communities. Bush Prize: Native Nations winners will receive a grant of up to 25% of the organizations last fiscal year expenses up to $500,000. Bush Prize Grants are flexible general operating funds that can be used to support the organizations ongoing good work in what ever way best suits their needs. Bush Prize: Native Nations winners will be Native-led organizations that are highly valued within their communities and have a track record of successful community problem-solving. Their core work applies inclusive, collaborative, and resourceful practices that support community-powered solutions.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. To be eligible, a Native organization must:Be a Native-led organization with 60% of its board members and senior leadership/ED are Native. Be a Native-led organization and a legally incorporated entity with 501(c)(3), or, 501(c)(4) status, or have a fiscal sponsor.  Be based in and carry out their work in either Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota or in one of the 23 Native Nations that share the same geography.

Ineligibility

The following entities and activities are ineligible for this fund:Native-led organizations who have received a Bush Prize in the last 10 years.Projects sponsored by a government agency.Endowment funds.Individuals; these grants are for Native-led organizations.Partisan efforts.Late or incomplete application.