Grants

The George W. Bush Foundation

Project Title

For renewed core support of the Bush Institute’s immigration program

Date

Jun. 05, 2025

Duration

24 months

Description

The 2024 election cycle intensified polarization on federal immigration policy, with public discourse being dominated by border enforcement and deportation measures, while solutions for legal immigration pathways, refugee resettlement, and economic migration were largely absent. The George W. Bush Institute, housed within the George W. Bush Presidential Center, is a nonpartisan policy organization committed to fact-based immigration reform that strengthens the U.S. economy, upholds national security, and reinforces America’s role as a global leader. Through its immigration program, the Bush Institute convenes policymakers, business leaders, and bipartisan stakeholders to reframe legal immigration as an economic and security imperative. With continued Corporation support, the institute will advance bipartisan immigration policy solutions that focus on economic prosperity, workforce needs, border security, and legal pathways for undocumented immigrants, including Dreamers.

Project Title

For core support of the Bush Institute's immigration program

Date

Sep. 15, 2022

Duration

36 months

Description

The United States is home to nearly 45 million immigrants from around the world. They are entrepreneurs and innovators who add to the rich heritage of the country and play a vital role in the economy, accounting for nearly half of the labor force growth from 2006-2016. Yet the United States is only realizing a fraction of the potential that immigrants represent due to complex laws and outdated priorities. Current immigration policies do not meet the needs of the country or adequately welcome newcomers. Founded in 2009, the George W. Bush Foundation is home to the Bush Institute-Southern Methodist University (SMU) Economic Growth Initiative, which works to advance immigration policy reforms that promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive growth. With Corporation support, the Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative will advocate for bipartisan policy solutions that are both economically sound and humane through a series of activities, including policy commentary and analysis (op-eds, reports, speaking engagements), and events and convenings of ideologically diverse stakeholders.

Project Title

For core support of the Bush Institute's immigration program

Date

Jun. 03, 2021

Duration

12 months

Description

The United States is home to nearly 45 million immigrants from around the world who arrived with hopes of building a better life. They are entrepreneurs and innovators who are adding to the country’s rich immigrant heritage, as well as playing a vital role in the United States economy. However, due to the United States’ complex and outdated immigration system, immigrants are currently unable to fully integrate or access their entire economic potential. Founded in 2009, the George W. Bush Foundation is home to the Bush Institute-Southern Methodist University (SMU) Economic Growth Initiative, which works to advance immigration policy reforms that promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive growth. With Corporation support, the Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative will produce innovative research and policy analyses, with the goal of growing bipartisan support for immigration reform and educating new audiences about immigrants’ contributions to the United States.

Project Title

For core support of the Bush Institute's immigration program

Date

Jun. 13, 2019

Duration

19 months

Description

Immigrants account for 13.5 percent of the total population in the United States and are responsible for nearly half of the labor force growth in the last decade. They fill critical gaps in the country’s workforce and keep local economies vibrant as the population ages. Yet, the country only realizes a fraction of the potential that immigrants possess due to complex laws and outdated priorities that do not meet the needs of a growing 21st century economy. The Bush Institute-Southern Methodist University Economic Growth Initiative works to advance immigration policy reforms that promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive growth. To that end, the George W. Bush Institute (housed at the George W. Bush Foundation) will produce data-driven reports on policy considerations, coordinating roundtables and meetings with key stakeholders and policymakers.

Project Title

For panel discussions on the economic benefits of citizenship

Date

Sep. 12, 2013

Duration

6 months