Bush Foundation Funds Ojibwe Teachers, Black Homebuyers

A foundation started by a 3M executive and his wife seven decades ago is helping preserve Indigenous languages, launch Latina-owned child care businesses, and create pathways to homeownership for Black families.

The Bush Foundation has been writing checks across Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and 23 Native nations since 1953. Founded by Archibald and Edyth Bush, the foundation takes a different approach to giving than many traditional philanthropies.

President Jen Ford Reedy recently sat down with MPR News to discuss how the foundation decides where its money goes. Under her leadership since 2012, the foundation has responded to major community moments, from the murder of George Floyd to recent immigration enforcement actions.

The foundation's portfolio tells a story of diverse community needs. In South Dakota, they're restoring duck habitats. In rural Minnesota, they're supporting entrepreneurs who might not get traditional bank loans. Across all three states, they're investing in people through the Bush Fellowship program, which helps emerging leaders develop their skills.

The Ripple Effect

The foundation's community-centered approach means funding follows need rather than predetermined categories. When Ojibwe communities said they needed more language teachers to preserve their culture, the foundation helped train them. When Black families faced barriers to homeownership, the foundation helped create a loan pool to break down those obstacles.

Reedy's background includes creating GiveMN.org and Give to the Max Day during her time at the St. Paul and Minnesota Foundation. She brought that same innovative thinking to the Bush Foundation, where the goal isn't just writing grants but understanding what communities actually need to thrive.

The foundation operates on the belief that people closest to problems often have the best solutions. That means listening to rural entrepreneurs about what holds them back, asking Native nations what preservation really requires, and letting communities guide where funding flows.

After 70 years, the Bush Foundation continues adapting its approach while staying true to its mission of supporting the region's people and places.