The Knight Community Information Challenge helps community and place-based foundations have an impact on issues they care about by funding news and information projects. Launched as traditional media models began to falter, the challenge encourages local foundations to step in and take a leadership role in ensuring that residents are informed about and engaged in issues important to them.

In 2013, the challenge will provide up to $50,000 in seed funding to community and place-based foundations (though open government projects may be considered for larger grants). While the challenge is an open call for all kinds of projects, preference will be given to Open Government efforts, an area in which we see great promise.

The application period will be open from May 1 to June 1, 2013.

Innovators who are looking to test a news and information project in a local community are encouraged to participate, but they must partner with a community or place-based foundation who will apply on the project's behalf.

In addition to providing matching funds, the challenge helps foundations get the latest media trends via the Media Learning Seminar, a gathering of foundation, media and tech leaders to explore ways to meet information needs; provides access to Circuit Riders, or technical support to guide grant makers at any stage of a project and ongoing training through the Knight Digital Media Center.

To learn more, watch the slide show above and visit Frequently Asked Questions.

A recorded version of Knight's May 1 webinar about the challenge is available online.

Note: Innovators interested in partnering with community foundations for the challenge should view "Getting funding through the Knight Community Information Challenge: A guide for innovators" on SlideShare.net.