Work of the Fellowship – Learn By Doing and Personal Development

During the Fellowship, Bush Fellows have the opportunity to try different strategies intended to mobilize stakeholders to engage in creating change around the identified issue.  Bush Fellows are encouraged to take risks and possibly fail.  But whether they succeed or fail, we want them to learn from their experiences.    

Bush Fellows also are expected to pursue opportunities for personal development that will increase their leadership effectiveness during and after the Fellowship.  The personal development experiences Bush Fellows pursue should increase their intellectual capacity, creativity and resiliency; they should combine opportunities for formal and experiential learning with opportunities for renewal. 

By doing both kinds of work, Bush Fellows exemplify the program’s core principles.

Leadership Development Seminars

Bush Fellows are required to attend eight leadership development seminars during the Fellowship.  Seminars last for a day and a half, and take place at a conference center in Saint Paul, Minnesota.  The Foundation pays the travel lodging and expenses of Bush Fellows living outside the Twin Cities metro area to attend.

The seminar facilitators create an environment where Bush Fellows are both challenged and renewed.  During the seminars, Bush Fellows:

• Study leadership principles and reflect on their own leadership.
• Build relationships with and learn from other Bush Fellows.
• Reflect on and learn from past and current successes and failures.
• Clarify their Fellowship work and assess their progress.

Bush Fellows also take a suite of assessments and work with a coach certified in interpreting the results.  The intention is to deepen Fellows’ understanding of their strengths and weaknesses in order to increase their effectiveness.

Fellowship Structure and Use of Funds

A Bush Fellowship is a two-year commitment.  Fellowship funds are paid out in equal monthly installments, and funding ranges from $30,000 to $80,000.

Bush Fellows have the flexibility of maintaining their employment during the Fellowship.  But they also have the option of reducing or taking a leave from their employment.  Bush Fellows have flexibility in how they use funds to carry out the work of their Fellowship work; however, funds may not be used:

• To enroll in an academic degree-granting program during the Fellowship, or to make progress toward or complete an academic-degree granting program started prior to the Fellowship.
• To cover living expenses during the Fellowship when there is no evidence that income will be reduced or lost.
• To cover learning experiences outside of their community for more than a month at a time.
• For professional certification that is strictly for career advancement and not related to the work of the Fellowship.
• As an indirect grant or matching grant funds for an organization.
• To regrant large portion of funds to individuals or organizations.
• For the purpose of lobbying and influencing public policy.

We strongly encourage applicants and Bush Fellows to consult with a tax advisor about the potential tax implications of receiving a Fellowship.  The Bush Foundation does not withhold state or federal taxes from Fellowship payments.

Elected and Government Officials at a Policymaking Level
If you are an elected official or government official who has the authority to enact policy, please contact GTS Educational Events at 651.222.7409 or BushFellows@mngts.org to apply.