From time to time, the Bush Foundation publishes evaluations and reports of its grantmaking. Current offerings include:
Minnesota’s Bottom Line. Prepared by the Public Strategies Group for the Bush Foundation (in collaboration with the Minneapolis, Northwest Area, Minnesota Community and Saint Paul Foundations) in early 2009.
This report suggests ideas for how Minnesota could provide important government services but spend less during a time of a severe budget shortfall. The intent of the five foundations in commissioning Minnesota’s Bottom Line was to spur public discussion about the problem and empower Minnesota citizens and organizations to develop solutions.
Goals for a Decade (1MB)
Prepared in 2008, this publication was produced in conjunction with a webcast to announce the Foundation's new grantmaking priorities.
The Cost Burden to Minnesota K-12 when Children are not Fully Prepared for Kindergarten. Prepared for the Bush Foundation by Wilder Research in 2008
This report estimates that the state of Minnesota experiences an annual cost burden of $113 million to its K-12 education system due to children entering kindergarten unprepared. The cost-benefit study focuses specifically on the costs and benefits of unpreparedness to the Minnesota K-12 system as a whole, excluding costs or benefits for the child, family or society.
Pathways to Transformation: Three Decades of the Bush Artist Fellows Program. Prepared for the Bush Foundation by Margaret Todd Maitland in 2007.
This report chronicles the first 30 years of the Bush Artist Fellows program through profiles of 10 fellows, several essays by fellows and observers, and excerpts from fellows’ creative work.
Bush Foundation Fellowships—Creating Broader Impact: A Study of How Individuals Contribute to the Strength of Communities, Institutions and Fields. Prepared for the Bush Foundation by Susan Showalter and Vicki Itzkowitz in June 2006.
The study’s key findings draw on survey results from over 250 fellows, in-depth interviews with over a hundred fellows and an equal number of “observers” who are familiar with their work, the literature review, interviews with external informants and Foundation directors, and conversations with Foundation personnel.
This research points to a common pathway for creating impact, confirming the Foundation’s implicit understanding of how broader impact occurs.
Regional Arts Development Program: An Evaluation of Strategic Operating Support for Mid-size Arts Organizations. Prepared for the Bush Foundation by LarsonAllen Public Service Group, an independent evaluator of the program. The condensed version is by Linda Picone, 2005.
This report describes the key findings and ongoing development of long-term funding of strategic operating support for mid-size arts groups in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. Includes case studies of 22 participating organizations.
Building Stronger Organizations: The impact of capital projects—lessons for human services agencies and their funders. Prepared by consultants Susan Showalter and Vicki Itzkowitz, 2002.
This report contains information about the wide-ranging benefits of effective capital projects and the obstacles that agencies must overcome. Great information for nonprofit agencies, their funders and others who are developing or supporting successful capital projects—ultimately contributing to the ability of human services organizations to continue to meet changing needs.
Lessons Learned: The Bush Foundation Infant Toddler Development Program Turns 10 by Douglas R. Powell, consultant to the Bush Foundation, 2005
This report describes a complex 10-year undertaking that involved curriculum developers, training faculty, state agencies and the child care community in reducing the barriers to the healthy development of very young children in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.
Grantees also publish reports on projects funded by the Foundation, including:
Thriving Arts: Thriving Small Communities by Sharon Rodning Bash of the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council (2006)
This report conveys the findings of a study of 10 Minnesota rural or suburban fringe communities to discover whether there were critical ingredients or common themes necessary to build long-term viability for the arts in those settings.
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