Bush Foundation

If you haven't heard of this initiative yet, you'll want to be sure to follow it in 2026: the Minnesota Legislative Exchange. It's a first-in-the-nation effort to build trust and relationships in local state legislatures. https://bit.ly/4p8wCH9 MPR News guest host Catharine Richert recently had a conversation with participants in the effort, and it's sure to inspire your belief in the desire of our political leaders to relate with one another as people who share dreams and hopes for the future of all Minnesotans: https://bit.ly/44usWY0 And if you missed this year's MinnPost Festival, you still can watch the session that featured another pair of legislators who participated in the initiative: https://bit.ly/4pbvqD1 We're so grateful to support the Citizens League and this work through our Ecosystem grant program, as well as MPR and MinnPost through our media partnership program, as they help spread great stories like this! Thank you!

Snaps for the 2025 Bush Prize: South Dakota honorees! These are organizations doing great work in the region, and the Bush Prize helps them to keep it going! Youth & Family Services offers a wide range of evidence-informed, developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive programs that span education, prevention, recreation, health care services, trauma-informed counseling, mentoring, nutritious meals and other supports. Abbott House serves more than 200 children and young adults each year by providing long-term, trauma-informed support that includes therapy, education, life skills training and the consistent relationships they need to thrive. Many thanks to our grant partner, South Dakota Community Foundation, who operates The Bush Prize: South Dakota and selects honorees. You can learn more about the 2025 Bush Prize: South Dakota honorees here: bit.ly/4hj9Mbk

Check out Maychee Mua, MPA (BF'25) in this recent episode of "Success Your Own Way" podcast! She's using her Bush Fellowship to reconnect with her cultural roots, build a holistic healing framework and design culturally tailored resources that bridge Southeast Asian traditions with Western systems of care. bit.ly/47Ef7a3

Snaps for the 2025 Bush Prize: North Dakota honorees! These are organizations doing great work in the region, and the Bush Prize helps them to keep it going! TNT Kid's Fitness creates inclusive spaces where children and adults with physical disabilities as well as those who are neurodiverse can thrive alongside their peers. Hip Hop & Hope engages youth and adults affected by incarceration, addiction and homelessness through mentorship, music and community outreach. Many thanks to our grant partner, Strengthen ND, who operates The Bush Prize: North Dakota and selects honorees. You can learn more about the 2025 Bush Prize: North Dakota honorees: bit.ly/4hj9Mbk

If you're getting ready to gather with family or friends this week, we hope you get a chance to practice something you've learned while reading "The Power of Bridging: How to Build a World Where We All Belong." And be sure to invite others who might be interested in learning more to get their free book at https://bit.ly/4mpMX9i. While our Power of Bridging event on Dec. 2 is sold out, be sure you're on our newsletter list. You can sign up at https://bit.ly/4kwLwED. Our pals at MPR News will be broadcasting the event, and we'll send you a link once it's live so you don't miss a thing! (If you're feeling lucky, you still can try the event registration link at https://bit.ly/3LIOTvL to see if any seats have opened up!)

Snaps for the 2025 Bush Prize: Native Nations honorees! These are organizations doing great work in the region, and the Bush Prize helps them to keep it going! The Minneapolis American Indian Center provides a central gathering space as well as educational, employment, health, social service, fitness, cultural, youth and elder programs at no cost for the Twin Cities urban Native community. Makoce Agriculture Development is a Lakota-led, community-driven nonprofit on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota developing Indigenous agriculture and food systems to provide healthy foods both locally and regionally. Turtle Mountain Impact is a grassroots violence prevention education initiative located on the Turtle Mountain Chippewa reservation in North Dakota that teaches empowerment, self-defense, assertive communication and other safety skills to women, girls, two-spirit individuals and other community members experiencing violence. Many thanks to our grant partner, Good Relatives Collaborative, who operates The Bush Prize: Native Nations and selects honorees. You can learn more about the 2025 Bush Prize: Native Nations honorees here: bit.ly/4no2PZB