(St. Paul, Minn. – June 3, 2013) – Dominick Washington, a South Dakota native who brings experience in nonprofit, political, academic and corporate communications, will join the Bush Foundation as communications director, effective June 24.

“We are thrilled to have Dominick join our team. He brings a terrific mix of skills and experience in communications across all three states and 23 Native nations we serve,” Bush Foundation President Jennifer Ford Reedy said. “Communications is a core part of our strategy. We can dramatically increase our impact by deepening public understanding of important community issues and by making as many people as possible aware of the individuals and organizations who are doing great work on those issues. Dominick and his team will be an excellent storytelling resource for all of our existing partners, as well as for the grantees who will participate in our new Community Innovation programs.”

Recently, the Bush Foundation launched two new Community Innovation programs—Community Innovation Grants and the Bush Prize for Community Innovation—that will advance its goal to inspire and support effective community problem-solving. The programs support efforts to create and implement great ideas that make communities better and include prize grants of up to $500,000.

“I am honored and humbled to join an organization that for 60 years has worked to instigate positive change in communities that are near and dear to my heart,” Washington said. “Through strategic investments in individuals, nonprofit organizations and sovereign tribal nations, the Bush Foundation has built a philanthropic legacy that, in my mind, is second to none. I am excited to work with a team of experienced communicators to tell stories that will amplify the impact of the important work Bush Fellows, Native Nation Rebuilders, and Foundation grantees and partners are doing in their communities."

Washington currently serves as director of communications for the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy. Prior to that, he held a number of communications roles with UnitedHealth Group, the Minnetonka-based health benefits and services company. He was the Obama campaign’s Minnesota political director in 2008; deputy director for public affairs and communication for Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota; and a press aide for former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle.

Born and raised in Sioux Falls, S.D., Washington earned a BA in government and international affairs from Augustana College (S.D.). He also completed a Humphrey Policy Fellowship in 2004-2005 and is a former board member of the Headwaters Foundation for Justice.

About the Bush Foundation

Our mission is to be a catalyst for the courageous leadership necessary to create sustainable solutions to tough public problems and ensure community vitality. The Foundation was established in 1953 by 3M executive Archibald Bush and his wife, Edyth, and today works in communities across Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and the 23 Native nations that share the same geographic area. Learn more at BushFoundation.org.