The Minnesota Fringe Festival, founded in 1993, operates under the mission to promote freedom and diversity of artistic expression by connecting adventurous artists with adventurous audiences. Its primary program is an annual 11-day performing arts festival that runs every August in Minneapolis. The unique nature of the Fringe lies in the fact that it selects …
“Everyone wants to feel good about using more renewable energy, but if you’re low-income, you just don’t have the option of saying ‘I’m going to invest in solar because it will pay off in 20 years,’” says Brandy Toft, Environmental Deputy Director for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe in northwestern Minnesota. “When you’re struggling, …
The mission of Coffee House Press is to publish exciting, vital, and enduring authors of our time; to delight and inspire readers; to contribute to the cultural life of our community; and to enrich our literary heritage. With the support of The McKnight Foundation, Coffee House Press builds on the best traditions of publishing and …
Greater Minnesota Housing Fund (GMHF) is a nonprofit, affordable housing intermediary and certified community development financial institution (CDFI). Their mission is to invest in affordable housing and sustainable development to strengthen communities in greater Minnesota and ensure that everyone has a safe, suitable, and economical place to call home. GMHF was launched in 1996 in …
Living Cities works with the world’s largest foundations and financial institutions to build a new type of urban practice that addresses both physical and human capital issues, from affordable housing creation along transit corridors, education reform, and youth recidivism, designed to improve the lives of low-income people. Living Cities selected Minneapolis/St. Paul’s Corridors of Opportunity …
The Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ) is working to ensure that all children in a geographic “Zone” of North Minneapolis graduate from high school ready for college. NAZ takes a two-generation approach, working directly with children and with their parents, supporting parents to stabilize housing and careers and to become leaders in the community who drive …
The Corporation for Supportive Housing (CHS) aims to advance housing solutions that improve the lives of the most vulnerable people, maximize public resources, and build strong, healthy communities across the country. They do this by educating and empowering housing industry players, lending to potential homebuyers, collaborating with developers to find innovative housing solutions, and advocating …
The Wetlands Initiative is a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring the wetland resources of the Midwest to improve water quality, increase wildlife habitat and biodiversity, and reduce flood damage. Their work combines two basic strategies: restore more wetlands and strive to innovate fundamental changes in how we finance large-scale wetland restoration. Their projects are based …
American Rivers combines national advocacy with field work in key river basins to protect rivers, restore damaged rivers, and conserve clean water for people and nature. To do this, they build partnerships and work closely with local river advocates, businesses and agriculture interests, recreation groups, and others to forge solutions. In the Upper Mississippi River, …
Following a national search, the McKnight Foundation has named Nichol Higdon as its new vice president of finance and operations. Higdon comes to McKnight after 12 years in senior executive leadership roles serving YMCAs, specializing in human resources, operations, fundraising, and board and community engagement. She joins the Foundation at a time of transformation as …