The Bush Foundation announced its 2026 Bush Prize honorees, recognizing nine nonprofit organizations that have demonstrated strong community impact across Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and the surrounding Native Nations. Each recipient will receive a flexible $250,000 grant to build reserves, test new ideas, or otherwise strengthen their work.

Grant partners and selection process

The foundation works with four community grant partners—Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, Good Relatives Collaborative, Strengthen ND, and South Dakota Community Foundation. Each partner selects its own honorees, while the Bush Foundation provides advisory support and the grant funding.

Honorees

Family Tree Clinic (operated by Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation) continues to provide affordable, high‑quality reproductive and sexual health care, emphasizing individualized, accessible services for patients in the Twin Cities area.

Fe y Justicia (operated by Good Relatives Collaborative) empowers working‑class immigrants in central Minnesota to become self‑advocates and community leaders, offering skill‑building and leadership development.

Oaye Luta Okolakiciye delivers culturally grounded healing services for substance‑use and behavioral health challenges, drawing on Lakota traditions to support youth, adults and families.

Oceti Sakowin Community Academy creates a new model of Indigenous education that blends rigorous academics with Lakota cultural teachings, preparing students for post‑high‑school success.

Indigenous People’s Task Force began with culturally appropriate HIV education for Native communities and has expanded to regenerative farming and a baby‑food line rooted in ancient Indigenous foods, now serving people of all ages.

Sheyenne GRIT (operated by Strengthen ND) unites residents of a small rural North Dakota community to renovate housing, support new businesses and reinvest profits based on locally identified priorities.

Prairie Grit Adaptive Sports (operated by Strengthen ND) provides year‑round adaptive‑sports opportunities for children and adults with disabilities, partnering with the Minot Family YMCA to make inclusion visible in everyday community life.

South Dakota Network Against Family Violence & Sexual Assault (operated by South Dakota Community Foundation) coordinates a statewide coalition of service providers, advocates and partners to combat domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking.

Boys & Girls Club of Rosebud supports Lakota youth on the Rosebud Reservation through academic enrichment, healthy‑living programs, cultural and language preservation, workforce development and mentorship.

Impact and outlook

These nine organizations illustrate the Bush Foundation’s commitment to fostering innovative, community‑driven solutions that honor cultural heritage while addressing modern challenges. The $250,000 grants will enable each group to deepen its impact, expand services, and continue building stronger, more resilient neighborhoods throughout the Upper Midwest.

Original reporting: Sahan Journal — read the source article.