The Bush Foundation has awarded North Dakota State University Extension a 2023 Ecosystem Grant to support its work in the areas of family and community wellness. The funds will allow NDSU Extension to build capacity and support leadership development for educational programs that positively impact communities across the state.

"We are really excited about our 2023 Ecosystem grantees,” says Jackie Statum Allen, grantmaking director at the Bush Foundation. “These grants provide valuable operating funding for organizations. What makes these grants even more important is that the funding supports the organizations that others find most valuable and critical to the success of their own work. We know problem solving is hard and it can't be done in isolation. We call them Ecosystem organizations because they create the environment needed for organizations and leaders across our region to solve problems across a variety of issues."

“NDSU Extension is honored to receive this grant from the Bush Foundation,” says Carrie Johnson, NDSU Extension assistant director, family and community wellness. “It is exciting to think about how we will continue building leaders in communities and expand the work of NDSU Extension.”

NDSU Extension family and community wellness professionals work with individuals and organizations across North Dakota to address a variety of issues, which include leadership development, civic engagement, health equity, aging populations and workforce development.

“Our work is to respond to local needs by empowering, equipping and connecting local individuals and organizations to solve community challenges” Johnson says. “This is accomplished through education, facilitation, local projects and other activities.”

The Bush Foundation invests in great ideas and the people who power them in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and the 23 Native nations that share that geography.

NDSU Agriculture Communication – Oct. 12, 2023

Source: Carrie Johnson, 701-231-8593, carrie.johnson.1@ndsu.edu

Editor: Elizabeth Cronin, 701-231-7881, elizabeth.cronin@ndsu.edu