The Bush Prize: North Dakota 2025 honors extraordinary organizations that have a consistent record of engaging and leading their communities toward creative, effective solutions. Administered in partnership with Strengthen ND and the Bush Foundation, the program is focused on providing flexible, unrestricted funding to support ongoing innovation, organizational sustainability, and amplified community impact. The Bush Prize began operating in 2023 through local partners across North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and the 23 Native Nations that share the same geography.
Eligible organizations must submit applications online by April 30, 2025, at 11:59 PM CST. Applicants should prepare their materials separately before submitting, as the online system does not allow saving work for later completion. Two honorees will be selected in North Dakota for 2025, each receiving a flexible grant of $250,000. These funds can be used for expanding programs, building reserves, testing new solutions, or supporting organizational sustainability, but may not be used for debt repayment. The awards are intended solely for charitable purposes.
Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) public charities, government entities, and projects supported by fiscal sponsors. Organizations must be based in North Dakota or in one of the five Native Nations sharing North Dakota’s geography. Applicants must have a documented history of creative community problem-solving for at least three to five years. Selection will focus on impact, history of innovation, and organizational culture and leadership, with an emphasis on transformational change and equitable, sustainable solutions that could serve as models for others.
The application timeline includes an informational webinar held on March 27, 2025. Applications open April 1, 2025, and close April 30, 2025. Internal review and due diligence will occur between June 1 and July 31, 2025, with final selection and confidential notification taking place in August 2025. The public announcement of honorees is scheduled for Fall 2025.
For support, applicants can contact Megan at Strengthen ND via email at megan@strengthennd.com or by phone at (701) 303-0840. Additional resources and past honoree profiles are available on the Strengthen ND website.
