The Carolyn Foundation aims to enhance the lives of children/families, communities, and the environment through generations of Carolyn McKnight Christian's family's involvement. Their mission focuses on supporting programs that drive positive change now and in the future. They prioritize compassion, concern for community, making a difference through addressing root causes for long-term systemic change, inclusion across diverse groups, and civility in discourse, reflecting respect even amid opposing views.
The Carolyn Foundation's grant program specifically targets programs that support low-income middle school students in Minneapolis. The goal is to encourage these students to attend high-performing or potential schools and to ensure these schools offer relevant support programs during and after school. The Foundation believes all children are capable of learning, schools providing quality education are crucial for success, and the middle school years are a critical, often under-resourced, developmental stage. They seek to fund programs that close the educational gap for students most in need, focusing on developmentally and culturally appropriate methods that show a clear understanding of the economic challenges these students face. The Foundation prefers programs with an explicit demonstration of equity, inclusion, and empowerment, and those that are integrated and aligned with school curricula and objectives.