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McKnight Foundation

 

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Organization Information


Organization: McKnight Foundation

Sector: Foundation

Organization Mission: The McKnight Foundation’s Impact Investing program is working to align our endowment with our grantmaking. With $200 million — 10% of the $2 billion endowment — the Foundation will make prudent investments that: Accelerate the growth of a cleaner, low-carbon economy. Contribute to a thriving, sustainable metro area. Restore water quality and resilience of the Mississippi River. We are also driving change through the main body of our endowment through fund manager assessment and a new low-carbon investment

Website

The McKnight Foundation is unusual in being one of the country's largest foundations while remaining anchored in one state and still under the direction of the family board.

Program interests include regional economic and community development, Minnesota’s arts and artists, early literacy, youth development, Midwest climate and energy, Mississippi River water quality, neuroscience research, international crop research, and rural livelihoods. Our primary geographic focus is the state of Minnesota, with significant support also directed to strategies throughout the U.S. and in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.

Founded in 1953 and independently endowed by William and Maude McKnight, the foundation had assets of approximately $2.2 billion and granted about $88 million in 2014.

 

 


Related News and Status


 

Status Reports / News 
Related PlanScape Status on: Sustainability, STEM, Technology Enablement

Key reports on: McKnight Foundation


August 21, 2026: OpenBeam events log

Sep 2026: Metrics LINKS

Aug 2026: Tech related info

Aug 2026 Notable Beam Events Log: Topics Include: Q2 Real Estate Stats; Workforce Housing & Regional Workforce Trends; Building Trust in an Age of Skepticism; Land Use Revenue Analysis; Tax Increment Financial Studies

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July 17, 2026: Lifestyle Wellness

Jul 2026: Brain Health Series Workshops

Apr 2026: Rochester Mayor Proclamation 

March 2020: Rochester Mayor Proclamation  

Lotus Health Foundation Workshops 

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July 10, 2026: RPS Long Term Technology Plan

July 7, 2026 RPS Board Meeting: The Long Range Technology Plan (LRTP) serves as a comprehensive roadmap, defining the strategic direction for technology deployment and technical support within the district over the next three to five years.

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July 09, 2026: America's City for Health (ACH)
Jul 2026 PB Op Ed on America's City for Health and Wellness 

May 2026: DMC University Trademark Handling -The DMCC holds several DMC-related trademarks, including “Destination Medical Center,” “Discovery Square,” and “America’s City for Health.” 

References: Reimagine what can be done to fulfill the vision of ACH -- info LINKS

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June 13, 2026: Economic Development News
2026: Health tech firms status

2023 Highlights: 1. 2Q 2023  Economic Report ;  2. Tawonda Burks has joined the RAEDI staff full-time as Director of Operations. In addition to managing the RAEDI Economic Development Center; 3, SBDC 1H 2023 performance report

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May 31, 2026: Home Innovation Lab - Aging in Place

May 2026: Home Innovation Lab Open House

Dec 2025 DMCC Board Meeting: The Home Innovation Lab will combine research, technology, and design to create and evaluate “tech-enabled age-in-place” living environments that improve health, comfort, and independence for older adults.

Apr 2025 DMC Real Estate Summit: Aging in place talk

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May 22, 2026: Discovery Square Biolbab In Rochester

May 2026 DMCC Board Meeting: Biolabs Status

December 2025 DMCC Board Meeting:

  • Request for Action Memo
  • Business Development Quarterly Review about Biolabs
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May 22, 2026: Healthy Home Helpers

City of Rochester Launches “Healthy Home Helpers” Program to Support Healthier, More Efficient Homes

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April 06, 2026: America's City for Health - DMC Development Plan 2025 Update
September 2025 Equity Alliance Series Presentation- Video Recordings, Selected Presentation Screen Shots

References - Sep 2025 DMCC Board 10-Year Midpoint

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February 03, 2026: Rochester as a Compassionate City
Feb 2, 2026 City Council Meeting

Council Initiated Action - Reaffirming Rochester as a Compassionate City

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January 18, 2026: Collider Foundation Updates
Jan 2026 Newsletter: Notes from the Executive Director; Thanks to Our Supporters; Our events; What's New

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December 11, 2025: UMR Expansion Plan

2025-12-10 Talent as infrastructure presentation to DMC 

PB ePaper Reporting: 2 new campus buildings are planned to accommodate student growth

AI Summary of PB Reporting

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October 12, 2025: Discovery Square Shared Lab Infastructure
Sep 2025 Update Presentation

May 2025: Biolabs as shared space partner: A shared lab space for a community of like-minded entrepreneurs associated with one or more academic research partners, PB reporting

Nov 2023 DMCC Board Presentation

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September 23, 2025: City of Rochester 2026-2027 Budget Planning

  • Sep 22, 2025 City Council 
  • Sep 15, 2025 Study Session, Sep 3, 2025 Study Session;  Aug 25, 2025 Study Session; Press Release; 
  • June 23, 2025 Study Session: 2026 Capital Improvement Plan & Outside Agency Funding Budget Update
  • May 27, 2025 City Council Study Session ; Apr 28, 2025 City Council Study Session Material 
  • Press Release: The City of Rochester is beginning its 2026-2027 budget process and invites residents to learn more about the factors shaping the City’s financial outlook.
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August 18, 2025: Aug 18, 2025 City Council Study Session and Council Meeting Topics

2026 City Action Plan

DMC Plan 5 Year Plan Update

Democracy Innovation 

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Community Anchor Participation:

 

 

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Impacts

The work of this organization may have impacts on the following areas:

PlanScape

Lvl 1: Sustainability ; STEM ; Technology Enablement

Lvl 2:

DMC Impact:

Community Health Impact area:

 


Potential Projects

Project Involvement Candidates:


Known Collaborators

Onboard Collaborators: DMC EDA

 

Potential Collaborators

Potential Collaborators:

Organization Life Cycle Assessment (Pause, Startup, Steady, Isolated Impact, Collective Impact  Unknown)

Collective Impact

Projects & News
Anchor Projects

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