Frequently Asked Questions

• Can organizations outside of Knight communities send a letter of inquiry?
• What is the National Program?
• What are the foundation’s deadlines?
• Are there programs Knight Foundation doesn’t fund?
• Who decides whether a grant should be made?
• When and how does an applicant find out if a grant has been made?
• How can we obtain additional information?

Can organizations outside of Knight communities send a letter of inquiry? 
Our Journalism Program is international in scope. However, Knight only awards grants to nonprofit journalism institutions located in the United States. In our Community Partners Program, we will seek to work with local and national organizations capable of helping our communities achieve their priority outcomes.

What is the National Program?
The National Program supports innovative opportunities and initiatives at the national level that relate directly or indirectly to Knight’s work in its communities. The Venture Fund welcomes proposals from U.S.-based organizations committed to high standards of planning, evaluation and communication.

What are the foundation’s deadlines? 
We review letters of inquiry on an ongoing basis. We schedule completed proposals for the appropriate quarterly board agenda. The grant development and review process takes at least six months.

Are there programs Knight Foundation doesn’t fund? 
The trustees prefer not to fund:

1. Requests for support of fundraising events.
2. Requests to cover operating deficits.
3. Charities operated by service clubs.
4. Activities that are normally the responsibility of government (The Foundation will, in selective cases, join with units of government in supporting special projects.)
5. Medical research; organizations or projects whose mission is to prevent, eradicate and/or alleviate the effects of a specific disease; requests from hospitals (unless they are for community-wide capital campaigns with a stated goal and beginning and ending dates, or for specific projects that meet Foundation goals)
6. Activities to propagate a religious faith or restricted to one religion or denomination; support of political candidates; memorials.
7. International programs and organizations, except U.S.-based organizations supporting a free press around the world.
8. A second request for a capital campaign for which the Foundation previously approved a grant
9. Conferences; group travel; honoraria for distinguished guests—except in initiatives of the Foundation in all three cases.
10. Scholarships for individuals.

The trustees emphasize that the above is a public list of preferences, not strictly prohibited.

Who decides whether a grant should be made? 
Knight Foundation’s president and trustees approve grants based on information provided by grantees and recommendations from foundation staff and advisory committees.

When and how does an applicant find out if a grant has been made? 
All applicants will be notified by mail of the foundation’s final decision regarding their proposal. We discourage phone calls from applicants regarding the status of a query or proposal.

Our web site offers information about Knight Foundation’s history, communities, programs, grant making, publications, special initiatives and current news. The foundation also publishes an annual report, quarterly newsletter and other occasional publications reporting on special programs and initiatives. To receive these materials or request other information, send an e-mail to publications@knightfdn.org or contact us by telephone or mail.