The McKnight Foundation awarded 167 grants totaling $26,526,233 in its fourth-quarter 2007 grantmaking.

Of the $26.5 million total approved, $1 million went to the Grand Rapids-based Charles K. Blandin Foundation for its award-winning Minnesota Forest Legacy Partnership. Catalyzed by a nationwide trend of timber companies to sell off large tracts of land for private development, this partnership aims to preserve 75,000 woodland acres in northern Minnesota primarily through forest-conservation easements, legally binding agreements with landowners that prevent development and mandate environmental sustainability. Such preservation allows the public to access the land for recreation, resulting in regional economic benefits from jobs and property taxes. To date, Blandin's partnership has already helped preserve more than 52,000 acres of forested land.

"The Blandin Foundation's ambitious long-term efforts to preserve northern Minnesota's forests fit well with McKnight's own mission to improve the quality of life for present and future generations," says Erika L. Binger, McKnight's board chair. "This initiative aims to reduce pollution, preserve open space, protect wildlife, and build stronger economies in rural Minnesota — each a key issue in sustaining Minnesota's high-quality natural resources. We are pleased to lend our support to this major effort mounted by our philanthropic colleagues."

Also this quarter, the Foundation's board of directors welcomes one member and bids farewell to two. Joining the board is John Natoli, a graduate of the London School of Economics who has worked three decades as an attorney and in-house counsel for a number of major corporations in the Boston area. Peg Birk, board member since 2002 and interim president of the Foundation from 2005-2006, will retire from McKnight's board effective March 2008. James M. Binger, grandson of founders William and Maude McKnight, has retired after serving as a director since 1973. Binger's interests and engagement over the past 34 years have been instrumental in shaping the Foundation's programs, particularly in grantmaking to support the environment and international efforts. Although he will no longer serve on the board, Binger will remain connected to the work of the Foundation as a director emeritus.

ABOUT THE MCKNIGHT FOUNDATION

The McKnight Foundation seeks to improve the quality of life for present and future generations through grantmaking, coalition-building, and encouragement of strategic policy reform. Founded in 1953 and independently endowed by William and Maude McKnight, the Minnesota-based Foundation has assets of approximately $2.2 billion and granted about $93 million in 2006. Program information and full grant descriptions are available at www.mcknight.org.


Related link
Fourth-quarter 2007 representative grants, alphabetical order

Contact
Tim Hanrahan, Communications Director, 612-333-4220