The McKnight Foundation
Annual Giving
$145.9M+33% YoY
Grants
790
Median Grant
$100K
Organizations Funded
729
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Foundation Overview
Mission
The McKnight Foundation is dedicated to advancing a more just, creative, and abundant future where people and planet thrive. McKnight advances climate solutions in the Midwest; builds an equitable and inclusive Minnesota; and supports the arts and culture in Minnesota, neuroscience, and global food systems.
Focus Areas
Grant Types
Funded Initiatives
$145M granted 2024 (highest in foundation history), $2.5B endowment, $328M invested Minnesota Initiative Foundations, $100M Minneapolis Climate Action Racial Equity Fund, $156M BIPOC arts organizations initiative with Ford Foundation, McKnight Scholar Awards, GroundBreak Coalition launch
How to Apply
One-step application process accepts proposals on rolling basis. Contact program staff before applying: (612) 333-4220 or apply@mcknight.org. Decision within three months. Grants typically 1-2 years duration. Geographic focus Minnesota for most programs.
Does Not Fund
No legislative lobbying, no government responsibilities, no new organizations at formation stage, no funding outside program areas, primary geographic focus Minnesota for Arts/Culture and Vibrant Communities, neuroscience awards no overhead except Scholar Awards 10%, no propaganda/election influence
Based on publicly available information from the foundation's 990 filings and website.
Giving History
$145.9M
Grants
790
Median
$100K
States
34
$109.3M
Grants
751
Median
$80K
States
33
$120.1M
Grants
831
Median
$75K
States
33
Grant Size Distribution
$100K
Typical Grant (Median)
$1K
Smallest
$42K
25th Pctile
$150K
75th Pctile
$10.0M
Largest
Excludes grants ≤ $5K. Half fall between $42K and $150K.
Largest Recent Grants
$10.0M
2024
Minneapolis Foundation
MN · for the GroundBreak Coalition special purpose fund
$9.6M
2024
United States Energy Foundation
CA · to equitably decarbonize the Midwest by supporting powerful and inclusive coalitions with the ability to transform markets and the economy through state action in seven states
$5.0M
2024
Minneapolis Foundation
MN · for the GroundBreak Coalition special purpose fund
$2.2M
2024
Minnesota Home Ownership Center
MN · to bridge capacity needs and scale the deployment capacity of GroundBreak Coalition supported down payment assistance products
$2.0M
2024
The McKnight Endowment Fund for Neuroscience
MN · for award programs supporting research in neuroscience
Geographic Focus
Top states by total grant dollars. Based on IRS filing data.
Financial Overview
Grants paid shown as percentage of total assets
Data sourced from IRS 990 and 990-PF filings and publicly available foundation websites. Grant data, financial figures, and organizational details reflect historical filings and may not represent current operations or funding priorities. Verify directly with the foundation before applying. See an issue? Let us know.