Knight Foundation Fund Grant

Knight Foundation Fund Grant is sponsored by Knight Foundation. Provides funding to nonprofit organizations and government entities in Gary, Indiana, for community revitalization projects.

Knight Cities Challenge - Knight Foundation Knight Cities Challenge – The application period is closed. Knight Foundation launched the Knight Cities Challenge on April 1, 2026, a $5 million open call that invited individuals and organizations across its 26 communities to submit new, creative ideas for projects that can spark change and leave a lasting local impact. Applications are now closed.

Building on a long history of open challenges across programs, Knight democratizes access to grantmaking to unlock the best and brightest ideas. This spring, KCC returned to invest in its first cohort of community-centered solutions to local challenges and help promising ideas take root and grow.

Project ideas focus on at least one of Knight’s investment areas: strengthening local news and information, creating pathways for economic opportunity or cultivating connection through arts, culture and the places that bring people together. Knight Foundation will invest up to $200,000 in selected projects, which are expected to be completed within one year. Applications closed April 30, 2026.

“When Jack and Jim Knight built their newspapers, they believed that local communities were individual places, with their own cultures and goals. Those values guide us today—and they are the heart of the Knight Cities Challenge. ” Frequently Asked Questions You can submit your application via Submittable during the month of April 2026.

We encourage you to be prepared with a project plan and proposed budget that shows how you will make your idea a reality. We’re looking for projects both big and small, with funding up to $200,000 per project. Projects should demonstrate measurable, local impact.

Applications must be submitted by April 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET. You’ll submit one application with brief answers on the following aspects of your project: overview, impact, team and partners, plan and timeline and budget. Preview application questions here .

Your project must take place in one or more of the 26 Knight communities: Miami / Miami-Dade County, FL Myrtle Beach / Conway, SC West Palm Beach / Palm Beach County, FL Your project must focus on at least one of Knight’s three investment areas: strengthening local news and information, creating pathways for economic opportunity or cultivating connection through arts, culture and the places that bring people together.

See here for more information about these categories. If your project relates to more than one investment area, you must select the primary one in your application. Do I need to be based in a Knight community to apply?

No, but the project must be carried out in a Knight community and primarily serve its residents. National organizations applying for Challenge funds must work with a partner organization in the community to implement the project. National organizations must detail support from the local organization within their application.

Do I need to be based in the United States to apply? Do I need to be a nonprofit to apply? No, the Challenge is open to nonprofits, for-profits, individuals, universities, governments or anyone with a great idea that will advance one or more of Knight’s three investment areas.

Some organizations or individuals may require a fiscal sponsor or an intermediary. If your project advances, we’ll work out the details as it develops into a grant. Does Knight Foundation need to be the sole funder of the proposed project?

Do I need to raise matching funds? No, Knight does not need to be the sole funder of the proposed project. Additional funding is welcome.

The grant is intended to help seed new ideas or support projects in their early stages. No, you do not need to raise matching funds to qualify for a Knight Cities Challenge grant. Each project will be evaluated on an individual basis using Knight’s evaluation criteria.

See “What do you need to know about my project, and how will it be evaluated? ” for more information. What do you need to know about my project, and how will it be evaluated?

In your application, please describe what you are proposing to do; why it makes sense for your community; your plan to complete the project within one year; your proposed budget and any committed non-Knight Foundation funding and their sources (including potential matching funds, though not a requirement); how the project will create local impact and engage the community; and who will execute the project, including their relevant experience and expertise.

Preview and download our required budget template here . We are not accepting supporting documents, photos, videos or other media assets. In the application process, finalists will be scored against five criteria: community impact, viability, engagement, capacity and learning potential.

I’m having trouble accessing or completing the required budget template. Preview and download our required budget template here . Because this template is available to all applicants, you will not be able to edit it directly .

In Google Sheets, select File > Download to save a copy. Complete the second tab of the spreadsheet labeled “Year 1” as fully as you can, and upload your budget when you submit your application in Submittable. Knight Foundation uses this standard template for all grants.

For now, complete only the “Proposed” column. If your proposal advances to a final grant with Knight Foundation staff, you will fill out the remaining sections, including the grant number. The grant period should begin in fall 2026, when Knight Cities Challenge funds are disbursed.

Who decides on the final recipients? Knight Foundation’s leadership team approves the final projects, though applications are reviewed by Knight Foundation staff representing our investment areas. We also use AI tools to enhance efficiency and explore application insights, while maintaining human oversight, judgment and accountability throughout the process.

More information about how Knight Foundation uses AI is available here . How much money is available? Each recipient may receive up to $200,000, with the specific amount to be determined by Knight Foundation.

There is $5 million available in this first cycle of the Challenge. Proposals in all 26 communities can apply for up to $200,000. There is no set number of recipients per community — Knight will select the most promising ideas across the portfolio.

How long do I have to complete my project? Within 12 months of funding disbursement. How many different ideas can I submit?

You may submit one idea, either as an individual or on behalf of your organization. While you are limited to one application as the lead applicant, you may collaborate on other projects submitted by different partners. Each individual or organization may receive funding for only one project.

For large institutions such as universities or city governments, schools or departments are considered separate entities. Each entity may request up to $200,000 for their proposal. I received a Knight Foundation grant in the past.

Can I apply for the Knight Cities Challenge? Yes. Applicants who have not previously received Knight funding are especially encouraged to apply, but prior funding does not affect eligibility for the Knight Cities Challenge.

We are looking for innovative ideas that address community needs in new ways. How soon will I hear the decision on my application? You’ll receive a decision on your application by the end of August 2026.

When will the recipients be announced? Recipients of the Challenge will be announced in Fall 2026. If my proposal isn’t accepted, will I know why?

We receive a large number of applications and are unable to provide specific feedback on each one. Is there anything that Knight cannot fund? See more here on this topic.

Internal Revenue Service regulations on private foundations define some items Knight Foundation can and cannot fund. Knight cannot fund: Support for or opposition to political candidates for public office, including contributions or other support that would constitute political campaign intervention. Grants earmarked for lobbying or political campaign activity, which can trigger private foundation excise tax rules.

Proposals for topics including capital projects, public spaces and regranting are eligible, as long as they meet the goals and criteria of the Challenge. What if my question isn’t answered in the FAQ? If you have questions about KCC that are not answered in this FAQ or our recorded webinar , please email kcc@kf.

org . After close of business ET on Thursday, April 30, we will no longer respond to new inquiries. We cannot accept late applications by email, and all applications must be submitted through Submittable by 11:59 p.

m. ET on April 30. Knight Foundation relaunches $10 million initiative in 26 cities across the country Creating an artist-centered ecosystem, with Rosie Gordon-Wallace and DVCAI Scout gives Philadelphia’s historic buildings a creative second life Which topics are you interested in?

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