McKnight Foundation news

Poet John Caddy receives 2012 McKnight Distinguished Artist Award

05/15/2012

May 16, 2012 - Well known as a poet and a teacher, Caddy has published several celebrated volumes of poetry in a career spanning almost 50 years.

Kate Wolford: Building Sustainable Communities Together - The power of partnerships

04/25/2012

April 2012 - On April 19, McKnight president Kate Wolford gave this speech at the Duluth LISC 15th anniversary.

2011 Annual Report

04/20/2012

April 2012 - Our 2011 "year-at-a-glance" annual report, in PDF format.

Position announcement: Program Assistant - Arts

03/23/2012

March 23, 2012

McKnight approves over $10 million in first quarter of 2012

03/22/2012

March 21, 2012 - McKnight's first-quarter approved grants.

McKnight hires arts program officer

03/20/2012

March 20, 2012

McKnight announces nearly $6 million in funding to two Twin Cities school districts to increase literacy by grade 3

03/02/2012

March 2, 2012 - After a year of intensive planning, Minneapolis and Brooklyn Center districts move forward with McKnight support to improve literacy at key sites.

2012 McKnight Distinguished Artist selection process begins

02/14/2012

February 14, 2012 - The McKnight Foundation invites nominations for its 15th Distinguished Artist Award.

ArtsLab: Five foundations renew support for leadership and strategy development program for arts nonprofits

01/31/2012

January 31, 2012 - To bolster community vibrancy and cultural life, five major arts funders have renewed support for Arts Midwest’s ArtsLab, a $1.9 million, multiyear venture.

Position announcement: Part-time Receptionist / Administrative Assistant (15+ hours/week)

01/27/2012

January 27, 2012

Kate Wolford: Appreciation for grantee efforts, and 2012 grantmaking forecast

01/13/2012

January 2012 - Open letter to McKnight's grantees from foundation president Kate Wolford.

McKnight approves over $30 million in fourth quarter of 2011

01/09/2012

January 6, 2012 - McKnight's 4th-quarter 2011 approved grants

Central Corridor Investment pool surpasses $10 million mark

12/22/2011

December 20, 2011 - The Central Corridor Funders Collaborative, of which McKnight is a member, aims to ensure area residents and businesses benefit from light rail.

MN Compass's new at-a-glance neighborhood profiles put a sharper focus on trends and issues that matter

10/24/2011

October 24, 2011 - The McKnight-supported Minnesota Compass website, a project of the Wilder Foundation, now provides census data at the Twin Cities neighborhood level.

McKnight approves over $19 million in third quarter of 2011, including $1 million to support creative placemaking

09/27/2011

September 27, 2011 - McKnight's 3rd-quarter approved grants

Northland Foundation to receive $5 million Program-Related Investment from The McKnight Foundation

09/19/2011

September 19, 2011 - PRI will help further the Northland Foundation's mission in northeastern Minnesota and enhance organizational capacity.

New project linking Saint Paul arts-based community development to Central Corridor receives $750,000 grant

09/16/2011

September 15, 2011 — A New National consortium of arts funders called ArtPlace selected project for potential to be replicated across the U.S.

McKnight honors artists selected for artist fellowships and residencies

09/13/2011

September 13, 2011 - The McKnight Foundation will honor 43 artists and ensembles selected for 2011-2012 McKnight artist fellowships and residencies at a private reception in September.

U of M’s Northrop Concerts and Lectures to administer McKnight Dance, Choreography Fellowships

08/25/2011

Minneapolis, August 25, 2011 - The McKnight Foundation's Artist Fellowships for Dancers and Choreographers will be administered by U of M's Northrop Concerts and Lectures.

New youth partner Youthprise launches

08/10/2011

August 10, 2011 - With support from McKnight, Youthprise works to increase the quality, quantity and sustainability of beyond-the-classroom opportunities for young people in Minnesota.

Nice Ride MN

08/03/2011

August 3, 2011 - McKnight president Kate Wolford, Minneapolis Mayor R. T. Rybak, and others share their thoughts on Nice Ride MN, a grantee bike-sharing program that is now expanding.

McKnight approves a total of over $14 million in second quarter of 2011, including $1.4 million to support small and mid-sized arts organizations

06/17/2011

June 17, 2011 - McKnight's 2nd-quarter approved grants.

Philanthropic watchdog group kicks off initiative with foundations that promise to prioritize underserved communities

06/09/2011

June 9, 2011, Washington, DC - More than 60 foundations and other grantmakers submit public statements explaining their commitments.

Minnesota Initiative Foundations Celebrate 25 Years of Making Minnesota Greater

06/09/2011

June 9, 2011 - Governor Mark Dayton to Proclaim June 10, 2011, as Minnesota Initiative Foundations Day.

Dancer and choreographer Ranee Ramaswamy receives 2011 McKnight Distinguished Artist award

05/27/2011

May 27, 2011 - Ramaswamy is founding artistic director and choreographer of Minnesota's renowned Ragamala Dance.

Kate Wolford: The Art of Harnessing Collective Wisdom

05/18/2011

May 17, 2011 - McKnight president Kate Wolford shares her thoughts in a blog post on the 2011 Center for Effective Philanthropy conference.

McKnight announces $450,000 in funding to three Twin Cities school districts to improve literacy by grade 3

05/17/2011

Minneapolis, May 17, 2011 — After one year of funding for intensive planning for comprehensive strategies to improve literacy, schools may apply for implementation funding.

Springboard to administer McKnight's 2011 dance and choreography fellowships

04/26/2011

April 26, 2011 - McKnight's 2011 artist fellowships for dancers and choreographers to be administered by Springboard for the Arts.

McKnight approves over $10 million in first quarter of 2011, including $800,000 to support sustainable regional development

03/31/2011

March 31, 2011 - McKnight's 1st quarter approved grants.

McKnight announces two staff changes

03/11/2011

March 11, 2011 - Becky Monnens named international program officer and Shaina Briscoe hired as grants administration associate.

Wokie Weah hired to lead new nonprofit to support youth beyond the classroom

03/10/2011

March 10, 2011, Minneapolis – Ms. Weah brings energy and extensive experience to increase out-of-school opportunities for youth.

West Central Initiative receives $6 million grant from McKnight

03/02/2011

March 2011

Nominations due for Distinguished Artist Award

02/22/2011

February 22, 2011 - The McKnight Foundation invites nominations for its 14th Distinguished Artist Award.

University of Minnesota: Local Government Innovation Guide

02/17/2011

February 17, 2011 - A McKnight-funded U of M report provides local government with a logical framework for innovation and redesign efforts.

Nominations open for McKnight's Human Service Awards

02/15/2011

February 15, 2011 - The McKnight Foundation invites nominations for the 2011 Virginia McKnight Binger Awards in Human Service.

Editorial: Little learners, big responsibilities

02/10/2011

February 8, 2011 - Pioneer Press. Report calling for improvements in childcare programs' infrastructure by the School Readiness Funders Coalition, of which McKnight is a member.

Northland Foundation awarded $6 million by McKnight

02/08/2011

February 2011

Position Announcement: International Program Officer

01/07/2011

January 7, 2011

McKnight approves over $20 million in fourth quarter of 2010, including support for efforts to reduce pollution in the Mississippi River

01/06/2011

January 6, 2011 - McKnight's fourth-quarter approved grants.

Kate Wolford: Appreciation for grantee efforts, and 2011 grantmaking forecast

12/21/2010

December 2010 - Open letter to McKnight's grantees from foundation president Kate Wolford.

Position Announcement: Grants administration associate

12/14/2010

December 14, 2010

McKnight to establish nonprofit focused on Twin Cities youth

12/08/2010

December 8, 2010 - New organization will manage and build upon McKnight’s ongoing support for direct service, out-of-school time programs and field building

Update on McKnight’s commitment to out-of-school time support

11/10/2010

November 10, 2010 - Open letter to McKnight’s out-of-school time grantees and grantseekers.

National philanthropic collaborative announces up to $16 million for Twin Cities

10/27/2010

Saint Paul, MN - October 27, 2010 - With new support from Living Cities, McKnight among local public-private partnerships pursuing “game changing” innovations.

Met Council: Twin Cities metro area is awarded competitive federal grant

10/14/2010

St. Paul — (October 14, 2010) — McKnight participates in planning grant focusing on development along transit corridors.

Living Cities: New working group to coordinate and attract $150 million for economic development and opportunity

10/13/2010

Washington, DC — (October 13, 2010) — McKnight Foundation one of the regional social investors invited to join the effort.

Letter to Congress: Private foundation excise tax

10/13/2010

September 21, 2010 - McKnight and 200 other foundations urged leaders in Congress to pass legislation that would simplify the nation's tax system and make it easier for the philanthropic sector to devote more resources to giving.

McKnight approves over $63 million in third quarter of 2010, including support for housing, regional arts councils, and climate change

09/27/2010

September 27, 2010 - McKnight's third-quarter approved grants.

McKnight honors artists selected for artist fellowships and residencies

09/22/2010

September 22, 2010

Virginia McKnight Binger Awards in Human Service honor six outstanding Minnesotans

08/25/2010

August 25, 2010 - McKnight names 2010 awardees, working to improve the lives of others.

McKnight hires communications assistant

08/10/2010

August 10, 2010

McKnight grantees offer feedback to improve grants management and communications

08/06/2010

August 2010

Sculptor Siah Armajani receives McKnight 2010 Distinguished Artist Award

06/28/2010

June 28, 2010 - Artist behind the Whitney Bridge has made a worldwide career of connections.

McKnight approves over $30 million in second quarter of 2010, including $1.3 million for arts organizations that connect artists and community

06/18/2010

June 18, 2010 - McKnight's second-quarter 2010 approved grants.

Kate Wolford: McKnight's commitment to out-of-school time support

06/09/2010

June 9, 2010 - Open letter to McKnight's out-of-school time grantees and grantseekers.

McKnight hires two new staff members

06/09/2010

June 9, 2010 - The McKnight Foundation has hired Aimee Witteman as environment program officer and Bile Daad as accounting assistant.

Kate Wolford: Comments at HUD Sustainable Communities visit

04/22/2010

April 22, 2010 - McKnight president Kate Wolford was one of several speakers kicking off a visit of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Sustainable Communities Initiative to the Twin Cities.

McKnight names Ron Kroese to direct environment program

04/02/2010

April 2, 2010 - The McKnight Foundation has named Ron Kroese to direct environment grantmaking program.

McKnight approves $7,243,000 in first quarter of 2010, including $700,000 to improve neighborhoods

03/29/2010

March 29, 2010 - McKnight's first-quarter 2010 approved grants.

McKnight names Bonnie Houck to direct early literacy grantmaking program

02/19/2010

February 19, 2010 — The McKnight Foundation has hired Bonnie Houck to direct a new program to improve literacy among Twin Cities students by third grade.

Nominations open for McKnight's Human Service Awards

02/18/2010

February 18, 2010 - The McKnight Foundation invites nominations for the 2010 Virginia McKnight Binger Awards in Human Service.

Nominations due for Distinguished Artist Award

02/10/2010

February 10, 2010 - The McKnight Foundation invites nominations for its 13th Distinguished Artist Award.

Minnesota Compass website launched

01/27/2010

January 27, 2010 - Led by Wilder Research and built on the success of Twin Cities Compass, a new website tracks data statewide to measure progress and inspire action.

McKnight Collaborative Crop Research Program selects advisory committee chair

01/26/2010

January 26, 2010 - Agronomist Richard Jones has been named advisory committee chair of The McKnight Foundation Collaborative Crop Research Program.

Innovative collaboration puts three new stations on LRT map

01/26/2010

January 26, 2010 - McKnight collaborates with regional philanthropic partners to help ensure local funding for three more light rail stops along the Central Corridor.

Study finds untapped potential in Native American art

01/21/2010

January 21, 2010 - Euan Kerr, Minnesota Public Radio. A new University of Minnesota study suggests that if helped, Native American artists could become a major economic asset to the state.

New study explores Native artists' careers, challenges, and impact

01/21/2010

January 20, 2010 - New McKnight-funded Humphrey Institute study explores Native artists' careers, challenges, impact on art worlds and communities

McKnight approves $57.8 million in grants in fourth quarter of 2009, including $1.6 million to protect and restore the Mississippi River

01/06/2010

January 6, 2010 - McKnight's fourth-quarter 2009 approved grants.

Kate Wolford: Appreciation for grantee efforts, and 2010 grantmaking forecast

12/22/2009

December 2009 - Open letter to McKnight's grantees from foundation president Kate Wolford.

McKnight updates Mississippi River program goal and guidelines

12/15/2009

December 15, 2009 - McKnight's Mississippi River program recently completed an evaluation process, resulting in a new goal and revised strategies to support it.

McKnight supports Bipartisan Policy Center forum on transportation

12/10/2009

November 23, 2009 - With funding from McKnight, the Washington, D.C.-based Bipartisan Policy Center recently held its third public forum on surface transportation policy reform at the University of of MN's Humphrey Institute.

New York Times: ClimateWorks is carrying out new global strategy

12/09/2009

Dec 5, 2009 - Richard C. Paddock, New York Times. The McKnight-supported ClimateWorks Foundation, led by Hal Harvey, provides a new focal point for the climate-change effort.

Kate Wolford: Charting a course in unsettling times

11/23/2009

November 18, 2009 - In her keynote speech at Twin Cities Compass' annual meeting in St. Paul, McKnight's president explores the crucial role of data in maximizing the impact of philanthropic resources, especially in turbulent times.

McKnight approves grants totaling $15.9 million in third quarter of 2009, including over $1.8 million to improve Twin Cities neighborhoods

09/17/2009

September 17, 2009 - McKnight's third-quarter 2009 approved grants.

Star Tribune: In tough economy, nonprofits refocus

07/28/2009

July 23, 2009 - Editorial. Refocusing helps foundations respond to needs and assess community impact, especially important to addressing long-term challenges in changing economies.

McKnight focuses on improved literacy by third grade

06/30/2009

June 30, 2009 - Building a foundation for successful adults and prosperous communities, McKnight targets resources to promote early reading success in the Twin Cities.