In 1953, Archibald Granville Bush, chairman of the executive committee of the 3M Company, and his wife, Edyth Bassler Bush, brought their many giving efforts into focus by establishing the Bush Foundation. Click here to view a PDF with more information about the Bush family.

Through the Foundation, they were able to continue to help those who were less fortunate for many years. As the Foundation grew, it reflected their desire to support the changing needs of communities in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.

While the last 55 years have brought significant changes to our area—cultural, technological, economic and demographic—the core mission of the Bush Foundation has stayed on the course the Bush family originally established.

We now serve communities as an independent foundation with a focus on the needs of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. Since 1953, the Foundation has provided more than $719 million in grants and fellowships to improve the well-being of people in these three states. Specific information about the Foundation’s goals can be found in Goals and Programs. To view a timeline of the Foundation's activities in its first 50 years (1953-2003), click here.

The Foundation’s income derives from assets given by Mr. and Mrs. Bush in the early 1970s, primarily 3M stock. Since then the investment portfolio has been diversified and has grown to more than five times its original value. Additional information can be found in Financial Information.

The Bush Foundation is a member of the Minnesota Council on Foundations and the national Council on Foundations. We subscribe to the Minnesota Council’s Principles for Minnesota Grantmakers.

 
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