McKnight Foundation boosts grantmaking 60%, doubling down on housing, democracy resilience

The McKnight Foundation has awarded $20 million in additional endowment-funded grantmaking to Minneapolis, Minnesota-based and statewide partners to expand housing stability, immigrant support, and civic resilience amid the federal government’s Operation Metro Surge. The awards build on a prior $200 million five-year payout boost that lifts the foundation’s 2026 grantmaking 60% above historic levels. Funds include $1 million each to Neighbors Helping Neighbors and Stable Home Fund, plus Esusu-matched rent relief microloans totaling $1.6 million. The multiyear expansion supports immigrant networks like COPAL MN and Fe y Justicia, addressing housing shocks, displacement, and civic fragility while accelerating rapid-response community infrastructure across Minnesota.