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MCKNIGHT FOUNDATION

McKnight Foundation

Contact information:

710 South Second Street, Suite 400
Minneapolis, MN 55401
Phone: 612-333-4220
Fax: 612-332-3833

Website: http://www.mcknight.org/index.aspx

Type of foundation: Independent

Types of grants: Planning, program and general operating. Occasionally, the Foundation makes capital and endowment grants.

Description: The McKnight Foundation was founded in 1953 and endowed by William L. McKnight and Maude L. McKnight. William McKnight was one of the early leaders of the 3M Company, but the Foundation is completely independent of the company. The Foundation makes grants in support of the arts; children and families, including projects that serve children in out-of-school time; strengthening Minnesota and its communities; the environment; and neuroscience research. In 2009, the Foundation announced a new early child development initiative to increase the literacy rate of Twin Cities students.

Most public media funding is made through the Arts Program. Within this area, the Foundation is especially interested in projects that connect artists with people and expand opportunities for participation. The Foundation provides general operating support to small/mid-sized arts organizations and targeted support to large organizations (budgets of $5+ million).

Sample grants:

  • $2,500,000 to Minnesota Public Radio for building expansion and endowment (2005).
  • $300,000 to Twin Cities Public Television for the Minnesota Collaborative and Channel project (2007).
  • $180,000 to Minnesota Public Radio for its statewide public radio network (2009); $300,000 in 2006 for the same purpose.
  • $140,000 to Northern Community Radio in capital support (2006).
  • $50,000 to Foundation for Excellence in Louisiana Public Broadcasting for a documentary about coastal preservation in the Mississippi Delta area (2008).
  • $40,000 to Northern Community Radio for a community radio station (2008).
  • $20,000 to Minnesota Public Radio for its arts and cultural radio and online coverage (2006).

Fit for public broadcasting: There is a good fit for public media that serves Minnesota.

Eligibility: In most cases, applicants must have 501(c)(3) status. The Foundation discourages the use of fiscal agents. In most cases, funding is limited to Minnesota (with the exception of some international funding, support for neuroscience research and funding in the Mississippi Delta region). The Foundation typically does not support:

  • Art therapy or art education.
  • Organizations that do not pay their artistic staff, or that mostly present rather than produce art.
  • Particular productions, events, exhibitions.
  • Scholarships/individual grants, other than through McKnight's fellowship programs.
  • Conferences or travel.
  • Endowments or capital projects, except in rare cases.

Deadline: There are four deadlines per year for letters of inquiry for the Arts Program: January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15.

How to apply: Begin by reviewing the guidelines for the appropriate funding area. The next step is to submit an online inquiry. Interested applicants are encouraged to call the Foundation to discuss their project idea.

Giving range: Grant sizes vary widely, though most are under $300,000.

Assets: $1,468,722,000 (2008)

Total giving: $90,569,000

View 2008 Annual Report.