The Minneapolis-based McKnight Foundation has announced fourth-quarter grants totaling nearly $19.5 million to a hundred and twenty-two organizations.

Nine organizations working to promote economically vibrant neighborhoods and communities of opportunity received grants totaling $1.7 million. Recipients include Communidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio in St. Paul, which was awarded $90,000 to implement a suite of Economic Vitality and Civic Engagement programs; Minneapolis-based EMERGE Community Development, which will receive $150,000 over two years to help low-income people build brighter futures through workforce development, training, financial coaching, and other key services; and Nexus Community Partners in St. Paul, which was awarded a grant of $700,000 over two years to help strengthen the capacity of organizations working to implement effective asset and wealth-building strategies in local communities. The foundation also awarded a two-year, $250,000 grant to the University of Minnesota Foundation in support of its Kris Nelson Community-Based Research program, which is designed to leverage university resources through community-initiated research projects.

"Neighborhoods are the building blocks of our communities, our cities, and our regions," said McKnight Foundation board chair Ted Staryk. "These organizations and many more like them provide knowledge, research, and support in innovative ways to empower people and to make sure those building blocks are strong and stable."

For a complete list of fourth-quarter grant recipients, visit the McKnight Foundation website.