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Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to questions asked frequently about the Bush Foundation’s
new goals and strategic direction. Additional questions can be emailed to newdirection@bushfoundation.org.
Future Grantmaking
Existing Grants and Programs
Fellowships
The Planning Process
Future Communication and Next Steps
Questions and Answers from the July 29 Webcast
(published 8/07/2008 and reflective of our progress as of that date)
Future Grantmaking
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We noticed that most program guidelines have been removed from your website. Does this mean these programs are gone?
Yes. We have introduced three new goals that we plan to pursue for the next 10 years. We will be focusing our resources on strategies that move us toward achieving these goals. As part of this process, we will be identifying organizations with whom we can partner. We expect to initiate more work and more often invite proposals, rather than reviewing and approving grant requests using a traditional guidelines-based approach. This isn’t to say we will never publish guidelines, but we anticipate that if we do, it will be for requests in specific areas from certain types of organizations.
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How will nonprofits apply for grants in the future?
Going forward, we will direct our financial resources to organizations that can best support achieving the goals we have set. Our grantmaking may take many forms. In some cases, we will issue RFPs (request for proposals) asking organizations to contribute to the outcomes in specific ways. In other cases, we will invite nonprofits to collaborate with us in creating or carrying out specific initiatives. In still other cases, we will help create organizations where there are gaps.
Our website will be the main place where we post information about our progress and invite participation from across Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. We do not and cannot know everything – certainly not more than the collective knowledge and imagination of the thousands of nonprofit organizations, Bush fellows and governments across these three states.
If you have feedback, insights, ideas or concerns you would like to share, e-mail us at newdirection@bushfoundation.org. We'll respond quickly, generally within one business day.
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Existing Grants and Programs
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We have a multi-year grant from the Bush Foundation, will that be affected?
No. All multi-year grants previously awarded will be honored.
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How do these changes affect participants in the Foundation's RADP and LCODF programs?
While these programs are currently under review to bring them into closer alignment with Goals for a Decade, we will honor commitments to current participants in these two programs.
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Does the Bush Foundation plan to continue its commitment to the recently announced ArtsLAB?
Yes. We will continue to participate as part of the multi-funder collaborative to support the ArtsLAB program. Details are available at www.artslabonline.org.
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Fellowships
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How does this change affect the fellowship programs?
In the next few months, we will announce the 2009 fellows for our artist, leadership and medical fellowship programs. These programs are a core part of our strategy and tie directly to our goal of developing courageous leaders. Over time, we plan to purposefully expand and introduce new aspects to these vital programs and will invite all of our fellows to help advance the outcomes of the Foundation.
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The Planning Process
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Why is the Bush Foundation going in this new direction and why now?
In 2006, our Board of Directors began looking carefully at the past and future of the Bush Foundation. As we looked to the future, we concluded that we needed to focus our energies on fewer goals in order to have even greater impact. As part of the planning process, we embraced a new strategic vision: “To be a catalyst to shape vibrant communities in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. We will invest in courageous and effective leadership that significantly strengthens and improves the well-being of the people in these three states.”
How we achieve that vision and how we make the biggest difference over the next 10 years are questions we wrestled with. We concluded that we can have the most impact by focusing our efforts. We chose three ambitious goals:
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Develop courageous leaders and engage entire communities in solving problems
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Support the self-determination of Native nations
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Increase educational achievement
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We readily admit that we don’t have all the answers.
Our intent is to pursue these goals by listening, learning, partnering and doing.
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What process did the Bush Foundation use to arrive at its new goals?
The Board of Directors initiated the planning process in 2006. In the initial phases, we tapped a number of resources and outside experts to analyze potential goals and ways to approach them. After a year of planning, which included adopting a new vision, the Board hired Peter Hutchinson as its new president in October 2007. Peter led the last stages of the planning effort, during which we finalized the goals and began strategizing our new approach. We announced Goals for a Decade in July 2008 and since have been actively engaging in implementing these new goals.
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Did the Bush Foundation consider other areas of focus?
Yes. In the end, however, the three goals that we selected were the areas in which we believe the Bush Foundation can make the most impact given our history, our strengths and our unique position as an independent foundation. These goals also allow us to partner with and learn from others who are engaged in innovative work in improving the quality of life of people in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.
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Will the Bush Foundation be announcing specific initiatives and programs geared toward achieving its new goals?
We are just beginning the dialogue with potential partners who can help us define and implement those initiatives. We will be providing regular updates on our website to keep you informed.
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Will the Bush Foundation change how it works with nonprofit organizations in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota?
Achieving our goals will require changes in the way the Bush Foundation works with grantees. For example:
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We will initiate more work and will more often invite proposals, rather than reviewing and approving grant requests under our traditional program areas. This isn’t to say we will never publish guidelines, but we anticipate that if we do, it will be for requests in specific areas and from certain types of organizations.
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Our grants will likely involve larger commitments of resources over longer periods of time, to fewer entities.
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We will be more intentional about working with outside partners to define and implement strategies to achieve our goals. These partners may include other foundations, higher education institutions, all levels of government, associations, and community, cultural and other nonprofit organizations.
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If we determine there are specific areas in which nonprofit organizations can apply for grants, we will communicate those decisions via our website and email. |
Future Communication and Next Steps
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How does the Bush Foundation plan to measure and share its progress?
We have selected specific and measurable goals. We plan to develop independent assessments, as well as tap into ongoing research and findings that are produced by the government and nonprofit, nonpartisan research organizations. We will provide updates on our progress at least on an annual basis on our website and direct communication to our stakeholders.
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If you don’t have published guidelines and deadlines that give nonprofit organizations the opportunity to submit proposals, how will we know what you’re working on and how we may be able to contribute to the long-term goals?
Our website will be the main resource for us to share our progress and to learn from others. We will also keep all current Bush fellows, grantees and nonprofit organizations on our mailing list.
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If our organization has something relevant to contribute, is the Foundation open to individual conversations or input? Whom should we contact or how should we submit our feedback?
The goals we’ve set out are big, and we know we can’t achieve them alone. We welcome your feedback, input and ideas. Email us at newdirection@bushfoundation.org. We will respond quickly, usually within 24 hours.
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