The McKnight Foundation is a Minnesota-based foundation that funds many programs and organizations, including numerous left-of-center advocacy groups. Among the areas the foundation invests in are the arts, education, environmentalist programs, and international development. Most of the donations to domestic programs are towards programs and initiatives in the Midwest. ^{1 2}

Overview

The McKnight Foundation is a grantmaking institution that funds numerous programs related towards the arts, sciences, and the environment. It is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota and has a strong Minnesota focus to its giving. The foundation was founded by William L. McKnight, a founder of the 3M Corporation, and his wife, Maude, in 1953. The foundation was endowed independently by the McKnights and has no direct ties to 3M. ³

Beginning in 1974, William McKnight asked his only child, Virginia McKnight Binger, to lead the foundation. Binger died in 2022, and the McKnight Foundation created the “Unsung Hero Award” in her honor. ⁴

As an organization, the McKnight Foundation supports the left-of-center principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), claiming that “institutional racism and unconscious bias persist” in America. ⁵

Leadership

Tonya Allen is the president of the McKnight Foundation since 2021. ⁶ Prior to joining McKnight, she led the Skillman Foundation, was the executive director of the Detroit Parent Network, was a program officer at Thompson McCully Foundation and Mott Foundation, and was the director of the rebuilding communities initiative of the Warren Conner Development Coalition associated with the Annie E. Casey Foundation. ^{7 8}

Kate Wolford was president of the McKnight Foundation from 2006 through 2019. She previously worked as president of Lutheran World Relief for 13 years. ⁹ Wolford made $429,302 in salary and other compensation as president, according to the McKnight Foundation’s 2015 tax return. ¹⁰

Neeraj Mehta is the vice president of programs at the McKnight Foundation. Previously, Mehta was the director of learning for the McKnight Foundation. Before joining the McKnight Foundation, he was a board member of TU Dance, Center for Economic Inclusion, and Juxtaposition Arts. ^{11 12}

Nichol Higdon is McKnight Foundation vice president for finance and operations. Prior to joining McKnight, she worked for local YMCA organizations in leadership positions. ¹³

Elizabeth McGeveran has worked as McKnight’s director of investments since 2019. She has developed an impact investing program that the foundation asserts will achieve “net zero greenhouse gas emissions across its entire portfolio by or before 2050.” The foundation credits McGeveran with being “an early actor in developing environmental social and governance (ESG) approaches across the industry.” She is a member of the board of trustees of Boston Trust Walden, an ESG-aligned investment management firm. ¹⁴

Programs

The McKnight Foundation has five major program areas: arts and culture, global collaboration for resilient food systems, Midwest climate and energy, neuroscience, and vibrant and equitable communities. ¹

As part of its arts and culture program, the McKnight Foundation provides grants and fellowships to artists and supports regional arts councils and arts awards programs. In 2023, the McKnight Foundation made 154 grants of a total of $10.8 million for this program. ¹⁵

As part of its global collaboration for resilient food systems program, the McKnight Foundation supports research and partnerships focused on increasing crop productivity and nutrients and advancing equity in food systems. In 2023, the McKnight Foundation claimed made 69 grants of a total of $9 million for this program. ¹⁶

As part of its Midwest climate and energy program, the McKnight Foundation promotes left-of-center climate change initiatives through grants and activism. The McKnight Foundation claims its focus on greenhouse gas emissions is part of its “pursuit of equity and justice bolstered by a healthy democracy.” In 2023, the McKnight Foundation made 141 grants of a total of $32 million for this program. ¹⁷

As part of its neuroscience program, the McKnight Foundation provides annual awards to researchers treating diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The foundation states it is focused on “increasing the inclusivity of our selection of awardees.” ¹⁸

As part of its “vibrant and equitable communities program,” the McKnight Foundation claims to advocate on economic mobility, generational wealth building, housing, and civic engagement among racial minorities in Minnesota. In 2023, the McKnight Foundation made 151 grants of a total of $32 million for this program. ¹⁹

In 2025, the McKnight Foundation joined a coalition of groups to launch The Courage Project, a national initiative recognizing “everyday acts of civic bravery” by individuals and nonprofit organizations across the United States. The project was established with an initial $5 million commitment and provides awards ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 to support grassroots civic engagement efforts.²⁰

Financials

According to tax filings, in 2023 the McKnight Foundation reported $106,746,947 in income, $162,849,317 in expenses, and $2,661,443,888 in assets. ²

Notable grants made that year include $250,000 to Aeon, $244,000 to the Alliance of Artists Communities, $300,000 to the Center for Energy and Environment, $400,000 to the Center for Economic Inclusion, $1,741,140 for the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole, $842,000 to Fresh Energy, $600,000 to the Great Plains Institute for Sustainable Development, $500,000 to the Headwaters Foundation for Justice, $3,000,000 for Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota, $200,000 for Inclusive Prosperity Capital, $2,650,000 for New Venture Fund, and $301,000 for the Sierra Club Foundation. ²

The foundation has previously given grants to  the Tides Foundation, the Tides Center, and the Union of Concerned Scientists. ²¹

1. “Programs.” McKnight Foundation. Accessed May 30, 2025. https://www.mcknight.org/programs/.
2. The McKnight Foundation. Return of an Organization Exempt from Income Taxes (990-PF). 2023.
3. McKnight Foundation. “Strategic Framework .” McKnight Foundation. Accessed April 27, 2022. https://www.mcknight.org/wp-content/uploads/mcknight-strategic-framework.pdf.
4. “History.” McKnight Foundaiton. Accessed May 30, 2025. https://www.mcknight.org/about/history/.
5. “Diversity. Equity and Inclusion Statement.” McKnight Foundation. Accessed May 30, 2025. https://www.mcknight.org/about/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-statement/.
6. “Tonya Allen.” McKnight Foundation, March 27, 2022. https://www.mcknight.org/person/tonya-allen/.
7. “Tonya Allen.” Skillman Foundation, February 15, 2021. https://www.skillman.org/people/tallen/.
8. “Tonya Allen.” LinkedIn. Accessed May 30, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonya-allen-a450614/details/experience/.
9. “Kate Wolford Biography.” McKnight Foundation, February 18, 2021. https://www.mcknight.org/news-ideas/kate-wolford-biography/.
10. The McKnight Foundation, Return of a Private Foundation (Form 990-PF), 2015, Statement 17
11. “Staff & Board.” McKnight Foundation. Accessed May 30, 2025. https://www.mcknight.org/about/staff-board/.
12. “Neeaj Mehta (He/Him).” LinkedIn. Accessed May 30, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/in/neeraj-mehta-5204a823/.
13. “Nichol Higdon.” McKnight Foundation, March 2, 2020. https://www.mcknight.org/person/nichol-higdon/
14. “Elizabeth McGeveran.” McKnight Foundation, October 15, 2021. https://www.mcknight.org/person/elizabeth-mcgeveran/.
15. “Arts & Culture.” McKnight Foundation. Accessed May 30, 2025. https://www.mcknight.org/programs/arts-culture/.
16. “Global Collaboration for Resilient Food Systems.” McKnight Foundation. Accessed May 30, 2025. https://www.mcknight.org/programs/global-foods/.
17. “Midwest Climate & Energy.” McKnight Foundation. Accessed May 30, 2024. https://www.mcknight.org/programs/midwest-climate-energy/.
18. “The McKnight Endowment Fund for Neuroscience.” McKnight Foundation. Accessed May 30, 2025. https://www.mcknight.org/programs/the-mcknight-endowment-fund-for-neuroscience/.
19. Vibrant & Equitable Communities.” McKnight Foundation. Accessed May 30, 2025.  https://www.mcknight.org/programs/vibrant-and-equitable-communities/.
20. Matthiessen, Connie. “Big Funders Take a Symbolic Stand through the Courage Project.” Inside Philanthropy, June 30, 2025. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/big-funders-take-a-symbolic-stand-through-the-courage-project. 
21. “Mcknight Foundation”. 2018. Activist Facts. Accessed October 6. https://www.activistfacts.com/foundation/97-McKnightFoundation/.