News Release: McKnight approves $11.7 million in third quarter of 2008, including over $700,000 to support citizen advocacy for the Mississippi

September 12, 2008 - McKnight's third-quarter 2008 approved grants.

The McKnight Foundation awarded 96 grants totaling $11,751,500 in its third-quarter 2008 grantmaking.

Of the $11.7 million total approved, $705,000 went to six organizations working to engage citizens along the Mississippi River in advocacy and related environmental issues. Four Minnesota-based nonprofits received funding: Bloomington's Friends of the Minnesota Valley was awarded $210,000 over two years for its advocacy work protecting the lower Minnesota River watershed; St. Paul's Minnesota Environmental Partnership was awarded $220,000 over two years to strengthen its communications and outreach efforts; Stearns County's Soil and Water Conservation District received $130,000 over two years to protect a 31-mile stretch of the river in north-central Minnesota; and North Branch's The Women's Environmental Institute at Amador Hill was awarded $45,000 to educate vulnerable populations in the Twin Cities about toxins in the Mississippi. Two organizations based outside of Minnesota also received funds: the Foundation for Excellence in Louisiana Public Broadcasting of Baton Rouge received $50,000 to fund a TV documentary about coastal land loss; and Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey, Illinois, was awarded $50,000 for the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center’s water quality monitoring efforts in Illinois.

"On a daily basis, thousands of people rely on the Mississippi River for recreation and transportation, to make a living, and to have clean and safe drinking water," says Erika L. Binger, McKnight board chair. "These organizations allow those who benefit from the river to play an integral role in keeping it healthy."

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 had assets of approximately $2.3 billion and granted about $93 million in 2007.

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