News Release: Rapson to step down as president of The McKnight Foundation
May 31, 2005 - Rapson, the Foundation's third president, will serve as a McKnight Senior Fellow upon his departure.
The McKnight Foundation announced today that Rip Rapson will step down as president of the Foundation. Rapson is the Foundation's third president, having served in the position since 1999. Upon his departure later this summer, Rapson will serve as a McKnight Senior Fellow, working both nationally and locally on a series of projects focused on the changing nature of metropolitan and rural communities.
"Following new Board leadership, the time is right to introduce new perspectives and explore fresh approaches to McKnight's continuing evolution," said Rapson. "That has been the history at McKnight and is a part of the healthy cycle of vital and creative philanthropy. I look forward to helping the Foundation in whatever ways are useful and appropriate to ensure the leadership transition is smooth and seamless and provides essential continuity for the Foundation's operations and programs."
Erika L. Binger, chair of The McKnight Foundation board of directors, said, "Rip proved himself to be as adept at leading the organization during the economic belt-tightening of recent years as he was during the economic boom times that marked his arrival at the Foundation. During both, he led the Foundation in innovative and pioneering work in early childhood development, regional growth policy, inner city revitalization, arts policy, rural economic development, Mississippi River protection and wind energy. He was a careful steward of our research and international programs. He leaves a legacy of a foundation that has a stronger infrastructure and a more thoughtful strategic planning process. We are pleased that his relationship with the Foundation will continue after the transition."
During Rapson's tenure as president, McKnight, like foundations across the country, was forced to reduce its grantmaking in response to the stock market decline. Under Rapson's leadership, McKnight developed new ways to leverage its resources. Using strategies as diverse as creating non-traditional partnerships, utilizing innovative communications, and investing in provocative research, The McKnight Foundation was able to build upon its role as a community catalyst even in the tighter economic climate.
"One of the things I believe in most strongly is the value of networks, of creating partnerships," said Rapson. "Our work at McKnight doesn't stop at writing checks. We also need to work beyond grants by contributing our expertise, providing safe and impartial settings for people to convene, and leveraging our institutional standing in the community. The creative partnerships we have built to advance open space protection, early childhood development, regional growth management, rural Minnesota economic development, the growth of the Payne Avenue and Lake Street corridors, and other areas have been among my proudest accomplishments.
"This position has given me a unique perspective into the challenges facing our community," said Rapson. "One of the accomplishments of which I am most proud is having brought together diverse people in a wide variety of new conversations about the future of Minnesota. Although The McKnight Foundation has been an extraordinary springboard to begin those discussions, I am eager to explore other ways of contributing to the shaping of our community's future. I intend, in particular, to use my position as a McKnight Senior Fellow to work and consult with others both locally and throughout the United States on cutting edge projects focused on the beneficial roles foundations can play in building stronger rural and metropolitan regions and in helping communities manage change."
Peggy J. Birk, senior vice president-general counsel of Federated Insurance Companies, Owatonna, and a member of The McKnight Foundation Board since 2001, will be interim president of the Foundation.
"Peggy provides important continuity to this transition. We are pleased that she was willing and able to return to her home in the Twin Cities and provide leadership to the Foundation during this time," said Binger. Rapson will continue with the Foundation, providing an orderly transition until Birk is able to assume her duties.
The Foundation will conduct a national search for a new president.
ABOUT THE MCKNIGHT FOUNDATION
Founded in 1953 and endowed by William L. McKnight and Maude L. McKnight, the Foundation has assets of approximately $2 billion and granted about $85 million in 2004. Mr. McKnight was one of the early leaders of the 3M Company, although the Foundation is independent of 3M.
Contact
Gayle Thorsen, Communications Director