“I’m honored to be joining the McKnight Foundation as it meets a moment of fear and division with clear-eyed urgency. From pushing the philanthropic sector to unite in advance to protect fundamental freedoms, to building on the spirit of ingenuity and shared purpose that’s long defined my home state of Minnesota, McKnight is an organization that is having a national and global impact through its place-based strengths and long track record.”
– THOMAS FRIEDMAN
McKnight is thrilled to announce that Minnesota-born journalist and best-selling author Thomas Friedman has joined our Board of Directors with a term starting in 2026.
Raised in St. Louis Park, a Twin Cities suburb, Thomas Friedman combines Minnesota roots with a decades-long career of turning problems into opportunities through sharp storytelling—distinguished by three Pulitzer Prizes, seven bestselling books, and 44 years at The New York Times. His enduring body of work reflects a propensity for examining the systems that gave rise to current issues, and creating a vision for the future rooted in dignity, abundance, and belonging. McKnight will lean on his experience and insights as we go all in on our mission to build a more just, creative, and abundant future where people and planet thrive.
Since joining The New York Times in 1981, Tom has produced award-winning reporting that spans globalization, workforce development, foreign affairs, immigration, and democracy. As The Times’ foreign affairs columnist since 1985, his experience has informed several acclaimed books including “From Beirut to Jerusalem” (1989), “The World is Flat: A Brief History of the 21st Century” (2005), and “Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution—and How It Can Renew America” (2008). Today, he writes regularly about clean energy in addition to his coverage of foreign affairs—moving the issues from niche policy conversations to kitchen table issues connected to jobs, quality of life, and community wellbeing.
In his decades-long career, Friedman’s mastery of making complex issues accessible has continued to captivate global audiences—which is exactly what we need to build solidarity across sectors, geographies, and divides in service of a brighter future. The addition of Tom to McKnight’s board of directors reflects just one of many steps we’re taking to use all tools in our toolbox to bring about a more just, creative, and abundant future. With bold new leaders, a higher charitable payout, strong partnerships, and a new, community-and-planet sustaining office space, we are building a whole greater than the sum of its parts.
“For decades, Tom has helped us make sense of the forces shaping our world—from globalization and climate change to the fragility of our democracy—helping us see not just where we’ve been, but what we can build together. We are honored to welcome him to our Board at a time when his clarity and courage are so needed.”– TONYA ALLEN
“At the heart of Thomas Friedman’s work, you see a belief in our fundamental freedoms and our responsibility to protect them—and that is where we must anchor all of our work in this moment of challenge,” said Tonya Allen, president of McKnight. “For decades, Tom has helped us make sense of the forces shaping our world—from globalization and climate change to the fragility of our democracy—helping us see not just where we’ve been, but what we can build together. We are honored to welcome him to our Board at a time when his clarity and courage are so needed.”
“I’m honored to be joining the McKnight Foundation as it meets a moment of fear and division with clear-eyed urgency,” said Thomas Friedman. “From pushing the philanthropic sector to unite in advance to protect fundamental freedoms, to building on the spirit of ingenuity and shared purpose that’s long defined my home state of Minnesota, McKnight is an organization that is having a national and global impact through its place-based strengths and long track record.”
McKnight is a nearly 75-year-old family foundation with a 12-person board that includes fourth-generation family members. In more recent years, the board has evolved to include noted community members who bring valuable expertise and perspectives to help advance our mission.
“We believe Thomas Friedman will be an exceptionally strong partner contributing to our collective conversations and thoughtful debates,” said Ted Staryk, McKnight Foundation board chair. “In this complex and dynamic world, it’s critical that we have board members who can help us see beyond what’s immediately in front of us and also ground global and national developments and opportunities at the local, place-based level.”
About the McKnight Foundation: McKnight Foundation, a Minnesota-based family foundation, advances a more just, creative, and abundant future where people and planet thrive. Established in 1953, the McKnight Foundation is deeply committed to advancing climate solutions in the Midwest; building an equitable and inclusive Minnesota; and supporting the arts and culture in Minnesota, neuroscience, and global food systems.
