address:
710 Second Street South
Suite 400
Minneapolis MN 55401
The McKnight Foundation is a private philanthropic organization founded in 1953 by William L McKnight and his wife, Maude L. McKnight. Mr. McKnight was an early leader of the 3M Company. The Foundation, however, has no affiliation with 3M. The McKnight Foundation is the largest private funder of the arts in Minnesota, having contributed about $100 million since 1981. In 2003, McKnight gave $7.7 million to the arts. The Foundation also supports children, families, and communities; the environment; scientific research; and international programs.
The arts program provides grants to organizations for general operations and capital projects. It partners with the Minnesota Regional Arts Councils to provide support to small organizations all over the state, with COMPAS to support community arts projects in the Twin Cities, and with several artist service organizations to provide fellowships to individual artists. The Foundation also administers the annual Distinguished Artist Program and periodically publishes research and reports.
Private Foundation
