The Bush Foundation

06/26/2026

This news fired up our appetite! So exciting to see Northside Economic Opportunity Network (NEON) Collective Kitchens open its doors — and so thankful we could help contribute to it! It's the kind of big idea that aims to transform lives and communities. Keep reading to find out what's in store for this state-of-the-art, community-built dream incubator:

“Can you make my voice come across in print?”

06/25/2026

Community organizers like Danielle get things done and we're excited to see how she grows her leadership capacity!

Danielle Swift is helping residents understand their rights and influence the systems that shape where and how they live. Her vision is to equip residents with tools and strategies that help them achieve long-term housing stability.

We're celebrating each of the 2026 Bush Fellows all summer long, so keep following us and help spread the word about these amazing creative problem solvers!

Learn more about Danielle's vision and see how she plans to use her Fellowship: https://bit.ly/4v8lU6v

06/24/2026

Summer in our region means lots of celebrations, and Juneteenth was one of them! Our pals at Nexus Community Partners honor the day in lots of ways, one of them being the official open date for applications for the Open Road Fund!

This unique opportunity is a step toward building wealth for individuals from Black communities in MN, ND and SD. Learn more about the opportunity: bit.ly/4b8vpIO

We're so grateful for their partnership and leadership in this work!

ORF is a community resource disbursing $50,000 gifts to Black folks in MN, ND, and SD to create tangible pathways to liberation, prosperity, and healing on our own terms.

06/23/2026

Minnesota is so fortunate to have such a vibrant Hmong community and leaders like Bao!

Bao Chu Lee is working to reimagine how Hmong women are cared for across every stage of life. Her care for community has inspired her to seek better ways to support Hmong women, particularly around postpartum care, aging and end-of-life care.

We're celebrating each of the 2026 Bush Fellows all summer long, so keep following us and help spread the word about these amazing creative problem solvers!

Learn more about Bao's work and plans for her Fellowship: https://bit.ly/4uxSzS5

06/22/2026

We like to think that Midwesterners are known as a hearty bunch — both their can-do spirit of figuring out hard things (and not complaining, except for the weather!) and their spirit of generosity.

Check out how our neighbors in North Dakota found a big solution to a tough problem — grocery store closures in small towns — and worked together to make good things happen for more people.

Read more: bit.ly/4uCNfN6

This is just one story of many we're sharing in celebration of our nation's 250th and the generosity of people who have given back to their communities in big and small ways that shape our past, present and future!

In the small farming and ranching communities of northeastern North Dakota, high school sports bring the whole town out. Teachers know every student by name. And when a grocery store closes, the whole community feels it.

06/18/2026

North Dakota is a happening place and it's so cool to see leaders like Jennifer who are big contributors to the community!

Jennifer Illich wants to change how people experience care during a crisis. She thinks North Dakota can become a model for coordinated, equitable crisis response that can be replicated in rural communities across the country.

We're celebrating each of the 2026 Bush Fellows all summer long, so keep following us and help spread the word about these amazing creative problem solvers!

Learn more about Jennifer's work and plans for her Fellowship: https://bit.ly/4oqi2eA

06/17/2026

Double shout outs! We love celebrating Juneteenth with Nexus Community Partners, as the holiday also marks the opening of applications for the Open Road Fund, which is helping to build wealth for more Black folks in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.

We're grateful to walk alongside such great partners and leaders to provide these gifts to the community. Learn more here: bit.ly/4dWnGjN

AND we're so excited that Danielle Mkali is a 2026 Bush Fellow! Woo hoo! She'll be building her leadership capacity to continue to transform how Black women define, create and sustain wealth across generations.

ORF is a community resource gifting $50 million to Black folks in MN, ND, and SD in order to create tangible pathways to liberation, prosperity, and healing on our own terms.

06/16/2026

We're inspired by this dentist who's helping more people in Minnesota get quality health care!

Elmi Abdulkadir Elmi is expanding access to oral health care for underserved communities across Minnesota. He hopes to expand a network of culturally responsive, Medicaid-friendly clinics and develop scalable models for equitable dental care, while mentoring the next generation of providers.

We're celebrating each of the 2026 Bush Fellows all summer along so keep following us and help spread the word about these amazing creative problem solvers!

Learn more about Elmi's journey and his plans for his Fellowship: https://bit.ly/4gg9FjK

06/15/2026

From coastlines to mountain towns to city neighborhoods, Americans have invested in the places they love. 250 years of generosity have shaped the communities we share. We're joining others in our field to celebrate 250 years of charitable giving that continues to make a difference in people's lives.

And at Bush, that means we're celebrating the amazing community partners we work with and through, and the scores of inspiring Bush Fellows who have long led change in their communities. Keep an eye out as we share some of those stories from the region we have the honor of serving!

06/12/2026

If you're in the southeast area of MN, be sure to catch the Bush Fellowship program road show with the always fab Adora Land, who leads the program, and our pal Malcom Chapman (BF 2015)! They'll be partnering with the United Way of Southeast Minnesota, Rochester Area Foundation, and Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation to host an informational session on June 23 for anyone curious about a Bush Fellowship and interested in applying, now or in the future. Get the info and RSVP here: bit.ly/3PQ6Jj9