News Release: McKnight invests nearly $2 million to strengthen citizen advocacy for Mississippi River
January 12, 2006 - McKnight's fourth-quarter 2005 approved grants
The McKnight Foundation awarded 199 grants totaling $20,391,500 in its fourth-quarter 2005 grantmaking.
To encourage citizen advocacy for the restoration of the Mississippi River, McKnight's board of directors approved grants totaling nearly $2 million to four organizations. Two organizations in Iowa received funding to support their advocacy work: Dubuque County Historical Society received a two-year grant of $450,000 for a communications campaign focusing on river restoration involving 33 other nonprofits, and River Action, based in Davenport, received $600,000 over three years for a program which revitalizes industrial riverfront properties through education and recreation opportunities. A three-year grant of $800,000 was made to New York-based National Audubon Society for an integrated effort to expand its work along the Mississippi. Hamline University in St. Paul also received $75,000 for a program raising water quality awareness through community artistic performances.
"The efforts of everyday citizens are vital to the goal of increasing awareness of water quality issues affecting the Mississippi River," says Erika L. Binger, McKnight's board chair. "The creativity and energy our grantees bring to their work is truly inspiring. Their dedication provides a powerful catalyst to inform and involve people all along the river."
ABOUT THE MCKNIGHT FOUNDATION
Founded in 1953 and endowed by William L. McKnight and Maude L. McKnight, The McKnight Foundation has assets of approximately $2 billion and granted an estimated $90 million in 2005. McKnight is an independent private philanthropic organization; the Foundation has no relationship with the 3M Company, although Mr. McKnight was one of 3M's early leaders. Program information and full grant descriptions are available via the "News" link at www.mcknight.org.
The McKnight Foundation awarded 199 grants totaling $20,391,500 in its fourth-quarter 2005 grantmaking.
To encourage citizen advocacy for the restoration of the Mississippi River, McKnight's board of directors approved grants totaling nearly $2 million to four organizations. Two organizations in Iowa received funding to support their advocacy work: Dubuque County Historical Society received a two-year grant of $450,000 for a communications campaign focusing on river restoration involving 33 other nonprofits, and River Action, based in Davenport, received $600,000 over three years for a program which revitalizes industrial riverfront properties through education and recreation opportunities. A three-year grant of $800,000 was made to New York-based National Audubon Society for an integrated effort to expand its work along the Mississippi. Hamline University in St. Paul also received $75,000 for a program raising water quality awareness through community artistic performances.
"The efforts of everyday citizens are vital to the goal of increasing awareness of water quality issues affecting the Mississippi River," says Erika L. Binger, McKnight's board chair. "The creativity and energy our grantees bring to their work is truly inspiring. Their dedication provides a powerful catalyst to inform and involve people all along the river."
ABOUT THE MCKNIGHT FOUNDATION
Founded in 1953 and endowed by William L. McKnight and Maude L. McKnight, The McKnight Foundation has assets of approximately $2 billion and granted an estimated $90 million in 2005. McKnight is an independent private philanthropic organization; the Foundation has no relationship with the 3M Company, although Mr. McKnight was one of 3M's early leaders. Program information and full grant descriptions are available via the "News" link at www.mcknight.org.