Tonya Allen, president of the McKnight Foundation, is a leader and a change agent with a passion for co-creating an equitable, sustainable world. In 2021, she became president of the McKnight Foundation, a Minnesota-based family foundation that advances a more just, creative, and abundant future where people and planet thrive. The Foundation grants approximately $100 million annually in support of equitable communities, a clean energy economy, global food systems, artists and culture bearers, and innovative neuroscience research. In 2022, Tonya helped launch the GroundBreak Coalition, an ambitious, multi-sector effort to close wealth gaps in Minneapolis-St. Paul. In 2023, GroundBreak announced nearly $1 billion in early commitments towards its goals, which Inside Philanthropy called the “fundraising success story of the year.”Tonya is a philanthropic, civic, and thought leader, leveraging her position to create significant, systemic change. She is the co-chair of the President’s Council on Impact Investing and serves on many boards, including the GHR Foundation, Women Presidents Organization Minnesota, and Greater MSP.
About
-
About Us
Learn about our mission
-
Leadership
Meet the Milken Institute leadership team
-
Support Milken Institute
Find out more about sponsorship and engagement opportunities.
Centers and Practice Areas
-
Asia Center
Extends the reach and impact of the Milken Institute to the Asia-Pacific region
-
Center for Financial Markets
Conducts research and constructs programs designed to facilitate smooth and efficient operation of financial markets
-
Center for the Future of Aging
Advances healthy longevity and financial security for all through high-impact policies, research, convenings, and multisector partnerships.
-
Center for Public Health
Develops research, programs, and initiatives designed to envision and activate sustainable solutions leading to better health for individuals and communities worldwide.
-
Center for Regional Economics and California Center
Analyzes the dynamics that drive job creation and promote industry expansion
-
Center for Strategic Philanthropy
Empowers philanthropists to effectively address some of the world's most urgent problems
-
FasterCures
Clears roadblocks that prevent medical breakthroughs from reaching patients sooner
-
Financial Innovations Labs
Addressing society's greatest challenges through a financial lens
-
Global Market Development
Working with government partners in emerging and developing economies to build strong, domestic financial markets.
-
Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream
Anyone with a dream should have the opportunity to make it come true—through determination and an economic system that works for all
-
Research Department
Addressing global policy issues on Health Economics, International Finance, and Regional Economics
Explore
-
Research and Analysis
Explore content created by our subject matter experts
-
Events
Learn about our upcoming events
-
Programs
Discover our programs
-
Government and Policy Engagement
Collaborating across all levels of government to advance finance and health policy priorities that address global challenges.
-
Multimedia
Watch and listen to our event panels, podcasts, videos, and webinars