The McKnight Foundation is built on the value that America is strongest when every person has what they need to prosper. Our mission is to advance a more just, creative, and abundant future where people and planet thrive. That includes continuing to strengthen democratic participation, so all Americans can have a say in the policies that affect their lives.
Too many Americans are still excluded from participating fully in decisions that shape their communities—from securing family-sustaining jobs and tax fairness to affordable housing and clean air and water. Our Strengthening Democratic Participation strategy supports people coming together across differences to influence the systems that most directly impact their lives.
From Individual Action to Collective Power
A person’s ability to participate in democracy involves more than casting a ballot. It’s about shaping decisions every day, in every arena: electoral, legislative, administrative, economic, and cultural.
When more people organize and act together, communities can build the power needed to achieve their highest collective aspirations, from climate resilience to racial and economic equity. McKnight supports organizations that help people move from individual action to collective power—organized, sustained, and exercised in ways that improve how systems work.
By supporting collaborative networks and uplifting voices across all backgrounds and ideologies, we help everyone not only have a seat at the table, but also the opportunities and power to improve their lives and secure a stronger future for people and our planet.
A Regional Ecosystem Approach
No single organization can build the scale or depth of civic power required to drive structural change. That’s why we take an ecosystem approach—supporting networks and alliances that collectively shape narratives, organize people to build and wield civic power together, and influence governing institutions.
Our Strengthening Democratic Participation work crosses seven Midwestern states. These states’ innovations can have a powerful impact on the future of the region and country. We want to make sure citizens have the civic power they need to actively contribute to the success of their communities and our nation.
Our flexible funding allows grantee and community partners to collaborate on shared priorities rather than focus on isolated single-issue efforts. These partnerships connect individuals and organizations building power at the scale needed to reach broader segments of the public, creating the alignment necessary for lasting change.
Fairness and Nonpartisanship in Action
Strengthening democratic participation affects all Americans. Building civic power requires an intentional, nonpartisan focus on fairness. At McKnight, we believe Americans must be free to participate in their democracy regardless of political affiliation or ideology.
Our giving is directed to organizations across a variety of viewpoints that align with our mission: we invest in people, networks, and institutions cultivating civic power—the ability of regular people to collectively influence the systems that impact their lives—across differences.
When communities vote and stay organized, connected, and engaged year-round, they build the kind of power that can change policies, demand accountability, and shape the systems that impact their lives.
This work is about keeping faith with people and places and making sure the best ideas have the chance to take root and spread.
