News Release: McKnight names Lee Sheehy to direct region and communities grantmaking program
January 30, 2009 - Sheehy will oversee McKnight's grantmaking to promote regional development for livable communities.
The McKnight Foundation has named Lee Sheehy to direct its region and communities grantmaking program. Sheehy will oversee McKnight's grantmaking to promote regional development for livable communities, including efforts related to affordable housing, neighborhoods, transportation and land preservation. He begins work at the Foundation on February 23.
For nearly two years, Sheehy has served as chief of staff for U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar. Prior to that, in 2003 he was appointed director of Community Planning and Economic Development for the City of Minneapolis, where he oversaw planning and development functions. He has also served as regional administrator and chief operating officer of the Metropolitan Council, directing the council's planning, transit and wastewater functions, and was chief deputy attorney general under former Attorney General Skip Humphrey. In addition, Sheehy has served as senior vice president of business and legal affairs for Public Radio International and as City Attorney for the City of St. Louis Park.
A longtime resident of Minneapolis, Sheehy received his B.A. from Harvard College in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and his law degree from the University of Minnesota.
"I am delighted to welcome someone of Lee's stature and experience to McKnight," said McKnight president Kate Wolford. "We and our grantees will benefit greatly from his deep knowledge of issues at the heart of our region and communities program. Lee's background in policy work at the city, state and national levels will help ensure we leverage all resources possible to foster livable, sustainable and resilient communities in Minnesota."
The overarching goal of McKnight's region and communities funding is to encourage the efficient, effective development of livable communities with opportunities for all to thrive. The program's primary geographic focus is the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area, as well as statewide support for affordable housing. The program funds five grantmaking strategies: encouraging regional growth management, supporting affordable housing, encouraging neighborhood improvement, protecting open space and promoting alternative transportation. In 2008, McKnight granted more than $22 million through the region and communities program, about 22% of its total grantmaking.
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