A Look at the McKnight Foundation’s Domestic Grantmaking in Minnesota
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The McKnight Foundation is an international grantmaker that has given steadily to organizations in Africa, Southeast Asia and South America. It is based in Minneapolis and also maintains a local commitment to its home state of Minnesota. Here’s a rundown of the McKnight Foundation’s domestic grantmaking to guide nonprofits in the Upper Midwestern United States.
Arts and culture in Minnesota
Not all of the McKnight Foundation’s domestic grantmaking areas have a local focus, but one that does is arts and culture. Grants often include direct support for individual artists, culture-bearers and unrepresented artists. This includes helping Black, Indigenous, Asian, Latino and rural artists who are working to advance justice in their communities. There are also regional arts council grants and artist fellowships available for Minnesota-based public artists through the funder’s program partners. Organizations should contact the foundation’s arts and culture team before completing an initial inquiry form to determine whether they’ll be a good fit. The team responds by email within four to six weeks after receiving such inquiries.
Climate and energy across the Midwest
Other foundation interests include climate change and sustainable energy solutions, and McKnight funds regionally in those areas. Through its Midwest Climate & Energy Program, the foundation aims to help “dramatically” cut carbon pollution in the Midwest by 2030. Strategies include transforming the energy system, electrifying transportation and buildings, sequestering carbon on working lands and strengthening democratic participation. These grants are available on an invitation-only basis.
Community needs in Minnesota
The McKnight Foundation is also interested in supporting the growth of vibrant and equitable communities in Minnesota. This is a statewide program and involves grants to accelerate economic mobility, build community wealth, cultivate a fair and just housing system, and strengthen democratic participation. Organizations interested in applying should contact the relevant foundation team and then complete an initial inquiry form and full proposal.
Impact investing
In addition to these Minnesota and Midwest grant opportunities, the McKnight Foundation is also engaged in impact investing. Much of this work takes place in Minnesota, although the foundation considers investments nationwide. Priority areas mostly revolve around cutting carbon pollution and building equitable and inclusive communities in Minnesota.
Other funding interests for McKnight include neuroscience, which it funds nationally, and international grantmaking, which currently focuses on projects like a Collaborative Crop Research Program in Africa and South America. The foundation has shifted its grantmaking strategy and is no longer accepting grant applications for previous program areas like education, region and communities, the Mississippi River or Southeast Asia.
To learn more about this funder, check out IP’s full profile of the McKnight Foundation.
