Good Relatives Collaborative Grants

Good Relatives Collaborative Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Good Relatives Collaborative
Amount: US $50,000 - US $100,000
Last Updated: March 09, 2026

Summary

The Good Relatives Collaborative Grants, funded by the Bush Foundation, aim to empower grassroots and Native-led organizations across Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and the 23 Native nations. This initiative provides responsive grants of $50,000 and $100,000 to support community leadership, healing, and cultural revitalization. By fostering collaboration and innovation, the program seeks to address the unique needs of Native communities while promoting accessible philanthropy and sustainable growth.

Overview

Bush Foundation We invest in great ideas and the people who power them in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and the 23 Native nations that share this geography. We support a range of community-based programs that are operated by organizations with the relationships and experiences to serve their communities well. Good Relatives Collaborative Our Mission The Good Relatives Collaborative provides responsive grants to grassroots and Native led organizations engaged in community-powered solutions. The Good Relatives Collaborative is made up of three partner organizations who came together for the specific purpose of making philanthropy accessible to Indigenous people. Each organization is deeply rooted in their community and follows their own mission in how they serve Native people. The collaborative is organized around shared values and agrees that the current funding models are not responsive to the needs of Native organizations engaged in community-centered problem solving. The Good Relatives Collaborative is looking to fund projects that will integrate, enhance and address community leadership, community healing, cultural revitalization, and capacity building by encouraging cooperation, collaboration, and reciprocity across the region in holistic and innovative ways. Grants We are guided in this process by the Native worldview of the life cycle and we recognize that every organization or group seeking funding may be at different stages of development. We see a priority need for development of new and exploring Native-led and serving organizations who need guidance in their stage of growth. We also hope to support more established and mature Native-led and serving organizations through their ongoing growth and encourage sharing of knowledge and wisdom. We encourage applicants at all stages of growth to apply and evolve through the process of learning and teaching. Eight honorees will receive a grant of $50,000 and eight additional honorees will receive grants of $100,000. All Good Relative Collaborative Grants are unrestricted.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. You are eligible to apply if your organization or community collaboration has a 501(C)(3) non profit designation, a fiscal sponsor, or are a tribal program incorporated under Section 7871 of the Internal Revenue Code.If you are not a nonprofit organization, you are required to have a current fiscal sponsorship agreement.Organizations must be located in and serve Native communities in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, or one of the Native Nations that share the same geography. We will use your physical address and your Letter of Determination / Incorporation to determine the geography of your work. Our definition of a Native-led organization is that at least 60% of its board members are Native, and its senior leadership, Executive Director or CEO must be Native American.Organizations that have received past Good Relatives Collaborative Grants are allowed to reapply if they have received less than $49,999 cumulatively. Please reach out to the Collaborative if you have questions about your previous award amounts. Organizational operating budget must be under $2.5 million.

Ineligibility

The following are ineligible for grant funding:Individuals.Pow-wows.Tribal enterprises.Requests for projects that support beneficiaries outside of our three-State region.Religious programs for religious education or proselytizing.Sporting teams and events.Servicing or paying off previously incurred debt or expenses.Bringing programs and/or buildings in government compliance.Organization has less than 60% board members who are Native and senior leadership is not Native American.Organizations with operating budgets over $2.5 Million.Repeat Grantees are not allowed if they have received more than $49,999.