Knox Foundation
Knox Foundation is a private foundation based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Its 2024 filing says it makes grants to educational, cultural, youth, environmental education, and community support organizations located in Minnesota; its reported 2024 grants also went to recipients in several other states.
Knox Foundation at a glance
In short: Knox Foundation gave $548K across 38 grants in 2024 (avg $14K), mostly in Minnesota. 26% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $548,200
- +8.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 38
- -7.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $14,426
- +17.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $8,469,864
- +4.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 26% first-time grantees (10 of 38, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (52% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Knox Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Submit a letter outlining the request, with any supporting materials the applicant wishes to include. The filing says the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It also states that grants are made to educational, cultural, youth, environmental education, and community support organizations located in Minnesota.
- Review Cycle
- November 1.
- Deadline
- November 1.
- Contact
Application contact: Ruby Pediangco
Mailing address: 800 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55402
Phone: (612) 303-2847
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Knox Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Planned Parenthood ($150K). Together the top 10 received $412K.
Grant Size Distribution
213 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 202 grants of 213 (95%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s filing describes its grant restrictions as covering organizations located in Minnesota. However, its 2024 grant dollars also went to recipients in other states. By recipient state, 2024 grant dollars were distributed as follows: Minnesota, 52%; Massachusetts, 29%; New Hampshire, 6%; Maryland, 4%; and New York, 4%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 38 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Knox Foundation open to new grantees?
26%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 10 of 38 grantees (26%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $7K; repeat grants $17K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 61% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+3%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 90% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $414K (2020) to $548K (2024). In 2024 it made 38 grants totaling $548K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Planned Parenthood St. Paul, MN | General Operating | $150,000 |
| Community Foundation for Nantucket Nantucket, MA | General Operating | $50,000 |
| St Paul Academy & Summit School St. Paul, MN | General Operating | $50,000 |
| Maria Mitchell Association Nantucket, MA | General Operating | $50,000 |
| Dartmouth College Hanover, NH | General Operating | $35,000 |
| University of Minnesota Foundation (Hhei Minneapolis, MN | General Operating | $25,000 |
| National Gallery of Art Landover, MD | General Operating | $20,000 |
| Minneapolis Institute of Art Minneapolis, MN | General Operating | $11,700 |
| Moma PS1 Queens, NY | General Operating | $10,000 |
| Nantucket Atheneum Nantucket, MA | General Operating | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Knox Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $8,469,864 | $1,029,487 | $690,371 | $548,200 | 38 | $555,696 | $902,985 | $617,935 |
| 2023 | $8,132,188 | $1,035,600 | $629,786 | $503,500 | 41 | $510,173 | $923,068 | $537,523 |
| 2022 | $7,731,136 | $352,441 | $589,863 | $463,500 | 50 | $475,191 | $249,962 | $515,004 |
| 2021 | $7,977,974 | $1,441,824 | $651,083 | $534,136 | 47 | $547,366 | $1,331,826 | $545,660 |
| 2020 | $7,194,435 | $520,016 | $513,585 | $413,500 | 37 | — | $434,862 | $431,387 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Knox Foundation reported a distributable amount of $618K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation does not state a mission in the information provided. Its 2024 filing identifies educational, cultural, youth, environmental education, and community support organizations as grant recipients.
Grantees’ own mission statements illustrate the range of organizations supported. The Community Foundation for Nantucket says it works to strengthen Nantucket through informed philanthropy and community leadership. The National Gallery of Art says it welcomes people to experience art, creativity, and shared humanity. The Nantucket Conservation Foundation says it protects and stewards land and shoreline, conserves natural resources, and conducts ecological research. The Family Partnership says it works to build strong families and vital communities and support children and families experiencing poverty and trauma.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 38 grants totaling $548,200. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $150,000, with a median grant of $5,000. The largest award was $150,000 to Planned Parenthood in St. Paul, Minnesota, for general operating support. Other large grants included $50,000 each to the Community Foundation for Nantucket, St. Paul Academy & Summit School, and the Maria Mitchell Association; and $35,000 to Dartmouth College. These grants were listed for general operating support.
The filing says applications may be submitted in letter form outlining the request, with supporting materials at the applicant’s discretion. It lists Ruby Pediangco as the contact for applications.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Susanne Lilly Hutcheson as president/director, Zenas W Hutcheson as director, and Ruby Pediangco as secretary.
Knox Foundation is led by Susanne Lilly Hutcheson, President & Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Susanne Lilly Hutcheson
President & Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Zenas W. Hutcheson
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ruby Pediangco
Secretary
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Knox Foundation
How much does Knox Foundation give each year?
Knox Foundation gave $548K across 38 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $504K across 41 grants.
What is Knox Foundation's typical grant size?
Knox Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $14,426, across 38 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Knox Foundation that year got $7K on average.
Where does Knox Foundation give grants?
Knox Foundation gives mostly in Minnesota: 52% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Massachusetts (29%) and New Hampshire (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Nantucket, MA (12 grants), Minneapolis, MN (9 grants) and Saint Paul, MN (6 grants).
Does Knox Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Knox Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (38 of 38) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Knox Foundation's largest grantees?
Knox Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Planned Parenthood ($150,000), Community Foundation for Nantucket ($50,000) and St Paul Academy & Summit School ($50,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 46% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Knox Foundation?
Knox Foundation reported $8.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $556K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $618K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Knox Foundation fund?
The foundation does not state a mission in the information provided. Its 2024 filing identifies educational, cultural, youth, environmental education, and community support organizations as grant recipients. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Knox Foundation?
Submit a letter outlining the request, with any supporting materials the applicant wishes to include. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Knox Foundation's EIN?
Knox Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-2008608. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 9, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 31, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 26, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Knox Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/knox-foundation-morg_3168d40b20c04d15845603ffb08c0b12
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_412008608_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Knox Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/knox-foundation-morg_3168d40b20c04d15845603ffb08c0b12},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Knox Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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