The Bush Foundation awarded more than $6.5 million in ecosystem grants to 39 organizations that help create an environment for its programs and initiatives to be successful.

Ecosystem grants provide as much as $200,000 in general operating support over two years for organizations that:

• Provide critical data and analysis
• Spread great ideas and build capacity
• Advance public awareness and policy
• Build and support leadership networks

These organizations are valued by people working to solve problems in new and creative ways, says Bush Foundation President Jen Ford Reedy.

“We invest in a lot of people and organizations working to tackle a wide range of tough, complicated issues. Our hope is that providing support to the organizations they rely on to be successful will help create an environment for big things to happen in our region,” Reedy says.

The Foundation awarded ecosystem grants through an open application process. Proposals were evaluated based on several criteria, including the degree to which the organization advanced the goals of the Foundation’s programs and initiatives and its overall impact on other organizations and leaders.