News Release: McKnight approves over $19.2 million in fourth quarter of 2008, including $2 million to foster thriving neighborhoods
January 15, 2008 - McKnight's fourth-quarter 2008 approved grants.
The McKnight Foundation awarded 172 grants totaling $19,287,043 in its fourth-quarter 2008 grantmaking. Grant totals and representative grants are listed by program areas below.
Of the $19.2 million total approved, $2 million went to organizations working to strengthen Twin Cities neighborhoods. Among these, Corcoran Neighborhood Organization in Minneapolis was awarded $110,000 over two years for work including its Latinos en Acción program; EMERGE Community Development received $300,000 to create a career learning and technology center in north Minneapolis; Native American Community Development Institute, also in Minneapolis, received $150,000 over two years to support community development activities in the American Indian community; Local Initiatives Support Corporation, based in New York, was awarded $675,000 for its support of Payne-Lake Community Partners' efforts to provide community engagement and development services in east St. Paul and south Minneapolis; Seward Redesign in Minneapolis received $140,000 over two years to advance development projects in the Franklin Avenue LRT area; Thomas-Dale District Seven Planning Council received $80,000 over two years to support community organizing efforts in St. Paul's Frogtown neighborhood; and a two-year grant of $210,000 to the University of Minnesota Foundation was approved for the Neighborhood Planning for Community Revitalization program.
"Neighborhood organizations play a vital role in improving and maintaining the overall well-being of the Twin Cities," says McKnight president Kate Wolford. "In the current economy, the services they provide are more valuable than ever. We are pleased to support such fundamentally important work."
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 $1.6 billion and granted about $99 million in 2008.
Contact
Tim Hanrahan, Communications Director, 612-333-4220