ABOUT THE McKNIGHT FOUNDATION

The McKnight Foundation, a Minnesota-based family foundation, seeks to improve the quality of life for present and future generations. Program interests include regional economic and community development, Minnesota’s arts and artists, education equity, youth engagement, Midwest climate and energy, Mississippi River water quality, neuroscience research, international crop research, and rural livelihoods. Founded in 1953 and independently endowed by William and Maude McKnight, the Foundation had assets of approximately $2.2 billion and granted about $87 million in 2016.

 
 
 

21% of McKnight’s grantmaking payout went to support grantees’ general operations

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430 grants were approved to 355 organizations

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57% of McKnight’s grantmaking was tied to multiyear commitments

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To help advance program objectives, McKnight hosted 4,500 people at 210 meetings and events in 2016, with an estimated value to partners of $341,469

 

Funding by Program Area

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Funding by Geographic Area

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Board of Directors

Erika L. Binger
Meghan Binger Brown, Chair
David Crosby
Phyllis Goff
Bill Gregg
Debby Landesman
Perry Moriearty
Roger Sit
Noa Staryk
Kathy Tunheim

Staff Leadership

Kate Wolford, President

Kara Carlisle, Vice President of Programs

Bernadette Christiansen, Vice President of Operations

Na Eng, Communications Director

Rick Scott, Vice President of Finance and Compliance

 
 

ANNUAL REPORT CREDITS

Executive Editor: Na Eng

Digital Coordinator: Shannon Eisentrager

Contributors: Maja Beckstrom, Laura Billings Coleman, Colleen Ebinger, Erin Imon Gavin, David Kennedy-Logan, Kitty Shea

Original Photography: Steve Foley (Education & Learning) and Nancy Musinguzi (Region & Communities) 

Copyeditor: Peggy Parker

This annual report was made in creative partnership with Pollen Midwest.