What We're Learning

We are a learning organization and work to be smarter and more effective every year. We never lose sight of the reason we exist: to do the most possible good with the resources left to the community by Archibald G. Bush. Here we share the lessons we learn through our efforts, as well as the insights of our grantees and Fellows.

Papers & Reports

Lessons Learned from the Teacher Effectiveness Initiative

We launched the Teacher Effectiveness Initiative (TEI) in 2009, with the goal of preparing and placing 25,000 new, effective teachers within our service region by 2020.

images of people involved in the Native Nations Rebuilders Program

Papers & Reports

An evaluation of the Native Nation Rebuilders Program 2010-2019 (PDF)

An evaluation of the Native Nation Rebuilders Program from 2010–2019 with Native Governance Center and Bowman Performance Consulting.

Bush Prize Case Study

Legal Services of North Dakota

The staff at Legal Services of North Dakota (LSND) struggled for years to balance intake procedures with providing quality legal representation for low-income, disadvantaged and elderly populations across North Dakota. To fix that, LSND streamlined applications through a centralized intake system that transformed its work.

Papers & Reports

Investing in Native Communities

“What we found when we actually dug into our data is that the numbers don’t always reflect reality, and it’s not necessarily intentional,” — Carly Bad Heart Bull, Native nations activities manager.

Papers & Reports

Building an Inclusive Culture

Changing organizational culture takes intention and time. At the Bush Foundation, we’ve spent the last five years creating a more inclusive culture internally so that we can be more effective externally.

Bush Prize Case Study

Native American Community Development Institute

The Native American Community Development Institute (NACDI) spent three years asking Native people what they wanted for their future, as opposed to what they needed to meet their basic needs. The gatherings resulted in a rich and bold vision for a vibrant, resilient community that celebrates Native identity.