Read the full position profile here.

The Bush Foundation was founded in 1953 with a bold commitment to invest in great ideas and the people who power them, and has since become one of the region’s most trusted philanthropic institutions. Based in Saint Paul, Bush advances creative problem solving across Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and the Native nations that share this geography, with a flexible, community-centered approach to grantmaking.

The Grantmaking Officer will play a central role in advancing this work, building strong relationships across communities and identifying ideas with the potential to drive meaningful change. This role is responsible for sourcing, evaluating, and stewarding grants, while serving as a thoughtful ambassador for Bush’s values, approach, and commitment to equity-informed decision-making.

The ideal candidate is a relational, discerning professional who can listen deeply, exercise sound judgment, and balance community engagement with rigorous analysis.



Qualifications

• Deep alignment with the Bush Foundation’s purpose, values, and commitment to equity, learning, and community-led impact.
• At least five years of experience in public, nonprofit, or related private-sector work, ideally connected to housing, immigration, environmental, or public policy issues.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain trust-based relationships with community members, organizations, and partners across diverse geographies.
• Experience reviewing, assessing, and providing feedback on grant proposals or complex initiatives using clear criteria and independent judgment.
• Ability to move fluidly between highly relational work and in-depth analytical tasks, including due diligence and synthesis of complex information.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with comfort delivering constructive feedback and explaining funding decisions with clarity and respect.
• Cultural competency and emotional intelligence, with the ability to engage across differences in background, perspective, and lived experience.
• Collaborative approach to work, with experience contributing to team-based decision-making and cross-organizational initiatives.

Compensation: $127,733. More details in the full position profile

Applications due by March 6, 2026 Review of materials begins immediately. We encourage early application.

Read the full position profile here.

Questions may be directed to Jen Hanlon Ash at Jen@ballingerleafblad.com.