Find out how 9 organizations are making their communities better for everyone

The Bush Foundation celebrates and supports creative community problem solving through the Bush Prize. They are excited to introduce this year’s nine honorees—organizations that are highly valued in their communities and have a strong record of working with others to make the region better for everyone.

Each honoree receives a flexible $250,000 grant. The funding can be used to build reserves, test a big idea or support whatever would best help the organization continue its work.

The Bush Foundation offers the program through four community grant partners: Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, Good Relatives Collaborative, Strengthen ND and South Dakota Community Foundation. Each partner selects and announces its honorees, with Bush serving in an advisory role.

This year’s organizations work across Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and the Native Nations that share that geography. Their efforts range from helping immigrants advocate for themselves to expanding opportunities for people with disabilities and supporting the next generation of community leaders.

Congratulations to the 2026 Bush Prize honorees!

Bush Prize: Minnesota

Operated by Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation

Family Tree Clinic has been a longtime community innovator of affordable healthcare that draws on its deep understanding of reproductive and sexual health care to deliver high-quality, individualized, accessible care that puts its patients first.

Fe y Justicia has emerged as a significant changemaker in Central Minnesota, helping working-class immigrants become their own advocates and develop their skills as leaders to help influence and lead change that affects them and their communities.

Bush Prize: Native Nations

Operated by Good Relatives Collaborative

Oaye Luta Okolakiciye uses a cultural, community-based approach to provide healing services for substance and alcohol abuse addiction and behavioral health management. Their work is rooted in Lakota culture and practices to better serve youth, adults and families in ways that honor their cultural identity while instilling hope and supporting wellness.

Oceti Sakowin Community Academy is creating a new model for Indigenous education that is driven by both rigorous academics and the cultural teachings and philosophy of the Oceti Sakowin. The OSCA centers Indigenous traditions and teachings that honors its students and prepares them for post-high school pursuits.

Indigenous People’s Task Force has been at the forefront of Indigenous wellness care, starting as a provider of culturally appropriate HIV education and direct services to Native communities in Minnesota. Later, they applied regenerative farming techniques to create a baby food line based on ancient Indigenous foods. Today, it has grown to support people of all ages through an array of services that are rooted in traditional teachings and cultural practices.

Bush Prize: North Dakota

Operated by Strengthen ND

Sheyenne GRIT brings residents together to shape the future of their small rural community. Combining a community-owned fund with volunteer work and local partnerships, it buys and renovates housing, supports new businesses and reinvests proceeds in projects based on locally identified priorities.

Prairie Grit Adaptive Sports believes that anything is possible and creates opportunities for all children and adults with disabilities to live active lives and participate in adaptive sports year-round. Its merger with the Minot Family YMCA expands services and makes disability inclusion a visible part of everyday community life.

Bush Prize: South Dakota

Operated by South Dakota Community Foundation

South Dakota Network Against Family Violence & Sexual Assault brings its big vision to life by connecting an array of service providers, advocates and community partners to work together to stop domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking in South Dakota. Their coalition has grown to include member agencies all across the state and provides a vital resource for professionals working in the field while fostering partnerships to help coordinate community responses.

Boys & Girls Club of Rosebud helps Lakota youth do hard things — and discover their strengths along the way. They are helping children and teens across the Rosebud Reservation build brighter futures through academic enrichment, healthy lifestyles, Lakota culture and language preservation, workforce development and mentorship. More than providing after-school care, they are investing in the future of the community.

Learn more about the 2026 Bush Prize honorees.