Bush Prize: North Dakota ( formerly knows as Bush Prize for Community Innovation) Grant

Bush Prize: North Dakota ( formerly knows as Bush Prize for Community Innovation) Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Bush Foundation
Amount: Up to US $250,000
Last Updated: April 24, 2025

Summary

The Bush Prize for Community Innovation recognizes exceptional organizations in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and surrounding Native nations that foster community engagement and drive creative solutions. Launched in 2023, this initiative is a collaboration between the Bush Foundation and local partners, providing flexible support to empower these organizations and amplify their impactful stories. The aim is to inspire and motivate others through successful community-led initiatives.

Overview

About the Bush Prize

Eligibility

We've imported the main document for this grant to give you an overview. You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website.

Application Details

Bush Prize: North Dakota
In partnership with Strengthen ND and the Bush Foundation
Applications Open April 1, 2025
Applications Close April 30, 2025

Application Guidelines
The Bush Prize program identifies and honors extraordinary organizations that
consistently engage and lead their community toward creative solutions and provides
them with flexible support to keep doing that work and supports them to amplify their
story to inspire others.
Beginning in 2023, the Bush Foundation Prize competition has been divided among the
three states and Native Nations sharing their geography supported by the Bush
Foundation, with separate localized organizations managing the competition for their
state and 23 Native Nations.
Strengthen ND is managing the Bush Prize process for North Dakota, and you will find
the focus and purpose remain the same, with very similar guidelines to the application.
Please carefully review the guidelines below and/or watch our webinar on March 27th,
2025 at 11:00 am CST.
Please Note: Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to attend or view the live
information session regarding the Bush Prize, which will be offered on March 27,
2025. Due to the nature of the Bush Prize as a competitive award, individual technical
assistance and brainstorming regarding an applicant’s proposal content will not be
held. Any direct assistance with explaining criteria, application input systems, or
timeline can be directed to megan@strengthennd.com.
Bush Prize Overview
The Bush Prize celebrates organizations with a track record of successful community
problem solving. Bush Prize honorees are extraordinary not only in what they do, but in
how they do it. They work inclusively, in partnership with others, to make our region
better for everyone.
The Bush Prize program identifies and honors extraordinary organizations that
consistently engage and lead their community toward creative solutions,
equips/provides them with flexible support to keep doing that work, and supports them
to amplify their story to inspire others.
Every year, two Bush Prize: North Dakota honorees will be selected. Honorees receive
a package of recognition, including a flexible award of $250,000 to invest in their
creative capital.
Each year the Bush Prize is awarded in each of the three states served by the Bush
Foundation: Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota, including the 23 Native
Nations that share the same geography.

Eligibility
1. Bush Prize awards must be used for a charitable purpose.
2. Organizations that are 501(c)(3) public charities or government entities
(including schools) are eligible for the Bush Prize.
3. Strengthen ND will accept Bush Prize applications from fiscal sponsors. The
fiscal sponsor organization must submit the award application and, if the award
is approved, becomes the awardee and receives the funds.
4. Prize honorees must be located in North Dakota or one of the 5 Native Nations
that share the same geography. The specific community innovations highlighted
in the Bush Prize application must also have occurred within that geography.
Definitions
Creative Community Problem Solving: Creative community problem solving is the
process of developing, testing, and spreading innovative ideas to address community
challenges effectively. It focuses on utilizing available resources to create solutions that
are effective, sustainable, and impactful. This approach inspires and equips leaders to
lead transformative efforts, generating solutions that can influence others and achieve
measurable outcomes.
Transformational Change: Transformational change refers to systemic shifts that
address the root causes of community challenges, resulting in meaningful and lasting
improvements. It focuses on reimagining and redesigning systems or practices to
create more effective, sustainable, and equitable outcomes. These shifts inspire hope
and foster long-term progress by building capacity and resilience within communities.
Track Record of Creative Community Problem Solving: A track record of creative
community problem solving reflects an organization’s consistent success in applying
innovative approaches to address challenges. It demonstrates a history of developing
and implementing solutions that produce measurable impact and serve as models for
others. This track record highlights the ability to adapt, test, and spread ideas that solve
complex problems and enhance the community’s capacity for ongoing change .
Strengthen ND will be assessing organizational histories of between three and five
years to understand that track record.
Innovation: Innovation is the process of developing, testing, and spreading ideas that
address important community issues and create opportunities for improvement.
Innovation emphasizes the potential for ideas to benefit multiple communities or
organizations and supports the learning process to understand and evaluate the impact

of those ideas. It involves inspiring, equipping, and connecting leaders to drive change
and ensure the scalability and adaptability of successful solutions.
Selection Criteria
Impact of Creative Community Problem Solving: Does the organization have a pattern
of engaging in and leading creative community problem solving? NOTE: Significant
impact can happen through creative solutions of all sizes, within communities of all
sizes, and through organizations of all sizes.
● Are these creative solutions that address community needs more effective,
equitable or sustainable than existing approaches?
● Did these creative solutions make a significant difference?
● Could the organization inspire or inform others?
● Could the organization’s practices serve as a model for others navigating diverse
challenges and innovative solutions?
History of Creative Community Solutions: Does the organization have a pattern of
working across their community to develop new and innovative solutions to their
community’s needs?
● Does the organization have a history of using innovative approaches that offer
real solutions for the challenges and issues affecting their community?
● Can the organization identify and describe specific examples of processes,
programs or projects that use creative approaches, technologies, collaborations,
and methods to drive sustainable change and solve problems more effectively?
Culture of Creative Community Problem Solving: Does the organization have strong
leadership and a culture of innovation? Is the organization rooted in their community
and values-driven?
● What deeply rooted values exist that enhance organizational culture and
strengthen partnerships?
● How does leadership encourage and exemplify creative thinking and
problem-solving?
● How does the organization demonstrate their focus on solutions that tackle root
causes for meaningful, lasting community change?
● In what way does that organization demonstrate a strong track record of financial
stability?
Additional Considerations
Over time we seek a portfolio of Bush Prize honorees that represents the full diversity
of North Dakota, and includes a variety of:

● Applicant organization sizes
● Communities served (both in terms of size and demographics)
● Types of issues addressed
Timeline
March 27, 2025 - Bush Prize Virtual Informational Session
April 1, 2025 - Applications Open
April 30, 2025 - Applications Close
June 1, 2025 to July 31, 2025 - Internal Organizational Due Diligence
August 1, 2025 to August 31, 2025 - Internal Selection & Confidential Notification
September 1, 2025 to October 15, 2025 - Prize Honoree Promotional Collateral
Development
October 15, 2025 - Public Announcement of Bush Prize Honorees
ABOUT 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. Each
year, two honorees will be selected for flexible award amounts of $250,000.
The Bush Prize is done in partnership between the Bush Foundation and Strengthen ND.
Strengthen ND will select and announce the Bush Prize honorees, as well as provide any
support along the way.
HOW TO APPLY
The deadline for Bush Prize applications is April 30th, 2025 at 11:59pm Central. Our
online application system will automatically close, and we will not accept applications
after that time. If applying online presents a barrier for you, please let us know - we’d be
happy to help.
Once you’ve started an application in our online system, you cannot save it and return
later to continue working.
Application questions for the Bush Prize are provided below as a reference.

Applicant Organization
All the information provided in this section should be for a single Applicant
Organization. If working with a Fiscal Sponsor, the Fiscal Sponsor is the Applicant
Organization.
Organization/Contact Information
● Applicant Organization name, organization legal name (if different), address, city,
state, zip, phone, website, Employer Identification Number
● Application Primary Contact Information first name, last name, title, phone, email,
address, city, state, zip
Organization Questions
● Is your organization certified by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) public charity? (Y/N)
● Is your organization a public agency/unit of government or Indian tribal
government under Section 7871 of the Internal Revenue Code? (Y/N)
● What issue area does your organization address? (Select up to three. The
options below are from the National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities.)
o Arts, Culture and Humanities o Human Services
o Education O Other
o Environment O Public and Societal Benefit
o Health
● What best describes the community served by your organization? (Select one.)
o Rural
o Town or City – population under 50,000
o Town or City – population over 50,000
o Combination: Rural/Town/City
Sponsored Project (if applicable)
If you are applying using a fiscal sponsor arrangement, this section applies to you. The
information below should be about the organization that is being sponsored, not the
applicant. In addition, a signed fiscal sponsorship agreement is required for all
applicants using a fiscal sponsorship arrangement. Please upload your signed
agreement at the bottom of this page.

If you are not applying using a fiscal sponsorship arrangement, there is no need to
complete this section. Most organizations do not use a fiscal sponsorship arrangement.
Click “Next” at the bottom of the page to go to the next section.
NARRATIVE QUESTIONS
1. In 4,500 characters or less (approximately 750 words), provide a brief introduction
to:
a. Your organization, its history, and its mission. If you’re applying as a fiscal
sponsor, briefly describe both your organization and the group you’re sponsoring.
b. Your community. What do we need to understand about your community or
context to better understand the work highlighted in your proposal?
2. The Bush Prize honors organizations that consistently engage and lead their
community toward creative community-based solutions. Tell us how you have done
this in your community over the last 3-5 years (provide up to 2 specific examples).
What issues were you seeking to impact? Who did you work with? What were the
results? Why were these solutions unique and innovative? Maximum of 6,000
characters (approximately 900 words)
3. How does the leadership of your organization support cross-community
collaboration and community problem-solving? What does this look like day-to-day?
What practices or beliefs are embedded in your organization that supports
collaboration and innovative solutions to flourish? Maximum of 3,000 characters
(approximately 500 words)
4. What sets your organization apart in your community or broader field? How is your
approach to developing creative solutions or community problem-solving different
from the status quo? How are you trying to inform and inspire your field with your
work?
Maximum of 3,000 characters (approximately 500 words)
5. The Bush Prize provides creative capital for organizations to think bigger and think
differently about how they address community problems. What is your dream for the
future of your organization and its work? What are you doing now to work towards that
dream?
Maximum of 1,500 characters (approximately 250 words)

6. Is the primary purpose of your organization to advance racial and/or economic
equity in our region? At least 50% of Bush Prize honorees will be organizations that
advance racial and/or economic equity in our region. For the purposes of this grant
program, the Bush Foundation defines this as organizations whose primary purpose is to
improve access, outcomes, opportunities or treatment based on race and/or economic
standing. At least 50% of Bush Prize honorees will be organizations that actively work to
advance equity.
If yes, how? Strengthen ND will take your entire application into consideration when
determining whether your organization meets the above commitment. If your work does
not actively work to advance racial and/or economic equity, you do not need to provide an
answer to this question. Maximum of 900 characters (approximately 150 words)
SELECTION PROCESS AND TIMELINE
The deadline for Bush Prize applications is April 30, 2025 at 11:59 pm Central.
Initial Review. Strengthen ND and its Grantmaking Committee will conduct an initial
review of applications and select finalists. We will let you know in late June whether
your application is moving forward.
Finalist Review. Strengthen ND and its Grantmaking Committee will conduct site visits
and review references in June and July.
It is important to us that our processes are fair. If any of our Grantmaking Committee
members have a conflict of interest with an organization being considered for the Bush
Prize, they will not be a part of any selection discussion or decisions for that year.
Strengthen ND defines “conflict of interest” as being a staff or board member of or
having a contractual relationship with an organization.
We will let finalists know in August whether they have been selected as a 2025 Bush
Prize honoree.
All selections are based on program eligibility requirements and criteria.
SUPPORTING BUSH PRIZE HONOREES
Strengthen ND hopes to build a supportive relationship with Bush Prize honorees by:
Working Together

We will create an award agreement including an agreed-upon timeline, reporting
schedule, and use of funds. The Bush Prize awards are flexible and can be used to
advance the charitable purpose of your organization. Funds must be used to support
work in North Dakota or one of the five Native nations that share our geography.
We will be responsive and direct in our communication with you, and we will continue to
be available to you throughout the award period. We hope to build a relationship that is
supportive and helpful, but also allows you to focus on what you do best.
Learning and Evaluation
We want to know if we’re making a difference, and we will ask you to participate in the
evaluation of the Bush Prize program, including your experience as a Prize honoree. We
will use what we learn together to improve the program over time.
We will ask you to share how you used your funds and key lessons learned (successes
as well as challenges) as part of your final report. We may share portions of these
reports publicly on the Strengthen ND’s website with your permission.
We will periodically invite you to participate in Strengthen ND-sponsored events for Bush
Prize honorees to connect, share stories of their work, and learn together.
Sharing Your Story
We want to publicly recognize you as a Bush Prize honoree. We will work with you to
identify your media needs and how to best share your story.
We may request that you share periodic, informal updates for the Strengthen ND’s
media promotional opportunities.
We will invite you to partner with us in various ways to help others learn from your
successful innovation experience(s).
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Applying for the Bush Prize
How do I submit my application?
We use an online application system. To start an application, please visit the Bush Prize
page on our website. Once you’ve started your application, it cannot be saved for you to
revisit. Please consider using a Word document to craft your responses and to then
copy/paste your responses into the online system.
If applying online presents a barrier for you, let us know, and we will send an application
by email.

Understanding the Bush Prize Program
What if the proposed work is a collaborative effort? How do we determine which
organizations will be publicly acknowledged and which organizations will receive the
grant?
We will only provide an award to one entity but will happily credit multiple organizations
publicly, if that is your preference. The primary applicant organization will be the award
recipient.
How much of a “track record” of creative community problem-solving do we need?
We are looking for organizations that can demonstrate their leadership in and support
of creative community-based problem solving for between three and five years.
How much funding comes with a Bush Prize?
Each Bush Prize honorees provided an award of $250,000.
We heard that with the new administration of the program, there may be multiple Bush
Prize honorees. Is this true?
Yes. Annually, Strengthen ND will select two Bush Prize: North Dakota honorees.
What can Bush Prize honorees do with the grant money?
The Bush Prize awards are flexible and can be used to advance the charitable purpose
of the organization, not repay debt. Funds can be used for a wide variety of purposes,
including but not limited to project work, general operating expenses and building
financial reserves. Funds must be used to support work only in North Dakota. Bush
Prize honorees will report publicly on the use of their funds.
If my organization is not awarded a Bush Prize, can I get feedback about our
application?
We believe that learning is an important part of this process and will certainly provide
written feedback upon request.
Not finding an answer to your question? We’re happy to help. Please contact us at
701-303-0840 or megan@strengthennd.com with questions about the Bush Prize.