BUSH PRIZE

North Dakota

In partnership with Strengthen ND and the Bush Foundation.

Two Organizations Named Bush Prize: North Dakota Winners

Souris, N.D. — Strengthen ND and the Bush Foundation are excited to announce that two organizations have been named winners of the Bush Prize: North Dakota for their track records of successful community problem solving: North Dakota Assistive (Fargo) and North Dakota Native Vote (Bismarck).

“We are so excited for the 2024 Bush Prize: North Dakota winners! The Bush Prize is all about recognizing and celebrating the type of community problem solving that we see in North Dakota Native Vote and North Dakota Assistive,” says Eileen Briggs, grantmaking director at the Bush Foundation. “Each organization represents the work that can happen when people think big about what’s possible for their communities and engage community members who are impacted by the issues they aim to solve. We congratulate the winners, finalists, and our community grant partner, Strengthen ND.”

Bush Prize awards 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.

North Dakota Assistive and North Dakota Native Vote were selected after a rigorous due diligence and deliberation process by a community-based grantmaking committee, which evaluated 36 applicants. Bowman County Job Development Corporation, North Dakota Full Service Community Schools Consortium, Service Dogs for America, and TNT Kids Fitness were selected as finalists for their innovative work, each receiving an unrestricted grant of $10,000 to support continued efforts.

“This year’s Bush Prize: North Dakota winners and finalists are reflective of the wonderful work that is being undertaken every day across our state,” remarked Megan Langley, Executive Director of Strengthen ND. “North Dakotans should be incredibly proud to be represented by the work of North Dakota Assistive and North Dakota Native Vote. Both organizations illustrate a bottom-up approach to community problem-solving, humility, and persistence to drive toward better outcomes for all people in their communities.

North Dakota Native Vote

Founded in 2018, North Dakota Native Vote’s mission is to educate tribal communities to construct a representative democracy through community organizing, leadership development, civic engagement, and public policy advocacy.

North Dakota Assistive

North Dakota Assistive is a non-profit organization that strives to bring assistive technology devices and services into the lives of North Dakotans of all ages who need it. Their goal is to help bridge the gap between ability and disability using assistive technology.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BUSH PRIZE

The Bush Prize celebrates organizations with a proven track record of successful community problem-solving and deep connections within their communities. Winners stand out not only for what they accomplish but also for how they work—collaboratively, inclusively, and in partnership with others to make their region better for everyone.

Bush Prize winners receive flexible grants that can be used to build reserves, test bold new ideas, or support ongoing initiatives, with awards equal to 25% of the organization’s most recent fiscal year budget, capped at $500,000. The prize is awarded annually across Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, including the 23 Native nations within these states.

This initiative is a collaboration between the Bush Foundation and Strengthen ND. Strengthen ND selects and announces the winners and provides support throughout the process.

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. 

Prize winners 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.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Does the organization have a pattern of innovative solutions?

  • Are these breakthroughs in addressing community needs more effective, equitable or sustainable than existing approaches?
  • Did these innovative solutions make a significant difference?
  • Could the organization inspire or inform others?

Does the organization have a pattern of using inclusive, collaborative, and resourceful processes?

  • Inclusive: meaningfully engaging key stakeholders, thoughtfully identifying those needed to create the intended change, and, whenever possible, including those directly affected by the problem.
  • Collaborative: a true joint effort, with partners willing to share ownership and decision-making as they pursue an innovation together.
  • Resourceful: using existing resources and assets creatively to make the most of what a community already has.

Does the organizational leadership foster a culture of innovation?

  • Is the organization stable and strong in terms of governance and finance?

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 8, 2023. 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; however, any direct assistance with explaining criteria, application input systems, or timeline will be welcomed.

Over time we seek a portfolio of Bush Prize winners 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 27th, 2024 – Bush Prize & Creative Community Solutions Question & Answer Webinar

April 1st, 2024 – Bush Prize Applications Open Apply Here!

May 31st, 2024 – Bush Prize Applications Close

June 1st to July 31st, 2024 – Internal Due Diligence

August 1st to August 31st, 2024 – Internal Selection – Confidential Notification

September 1st to October 15th, 2024 – Prize Winner Promotional Collateral Development

October 15th, 2024: Prize Winners Announced