Note: also see FAQ for Foundations/Funders You may be able to seek funding for your project by partnering with your local place-based foundation and applying for a grant through the Knight Community Information Challenge. Read on to discover how.

Q. What is Knight Foundation?

A. The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation invests in journalism excellence worldwide and the U.S. communities where the Knight brothers owned newspapers. It focuses on projects that promote informed and engaged communities and lead to transformational change. For more, visit www.knightfoundation.org.

Q. What’s the Knight Community Information Challenge?

A. The Knight Community Information Challenge is a five-year initiative to engage community and place-based foundations in meeting local information needs. The challenge has three related opportunities: The Media Learning Seminar, a gathering of foundation leaders to explore ways to meet information needs; Access to circuit riders, or technical support to guide grantmakers attempting information projects; a matching grants contest (KCIC) to support experimentation.

The challenge is part of Knight Foundation's Media Innovation Initiative launched to help communities meet their information needs in a democracy. The multi-faceted approach addresses media innovation on several levels, including national media policy, technology innovation and the evolution of the World Wide Web. For more information on Knight's Media Innovation Initiative, click here.

Q. When will applications be accepted?

A. The application period will open on January 18, 2012 and close on February 27.  

Q. Who can enter?

A. Applications must be submitted by a community or place-based foundation located in North America, though outside partners (like you or your group) can be listed.

Q. What if there is not a community foundation in my area?

A. Geographically oriented foundations that have a place-based focus similar to a community foundation also will be considered.

Q. What are you looking for?

A. Knight is looking for projects that help fill community information needs, foster community engagement and help residents participate in the creation and sharing of news and information. Take a look at our past winners to see what piqued our interest. We are not wedded to any model of delivering news and information. The project does not have to be Web-based. We are looking for models that can be replicated in other cities and towns.

Q. What are you not looking for?

A. This challenge is not about helping foundations improve their media relations and marketing, or expand their own Web sites, important though these might be.

Q. How is this contest different from the Knight News Challenge?

A. The Knight News Challenge is a worldwide contest that looks for innovative ideas that develop new platforms, tools and services to inform and transform community news. In the Knight Community Information Challenge, which is based in North America, innovation is encouraged but not required. Also, all Community Information Challenge applications must be submitted by a community or place-based foundation. For more information on the Knight News Challenge, visit newschallenge.org.

Q. How do we approach our community or place-based foundation?

A. Contact the foundation president or a foundation program officer. Let them know that a) Knight Foundation has a matching grant program to help community foundations get involved in funding news and information projects; b) The program is premised on the belief that information is a core community need, and since community foundations are formed to meet core community needs, they are logical partners in funding information projects; c) you have an idea that can help fill an information need in your community, and would like to form a partnership.

Q. We have approached our place-based foundation with the beginnings of an idea, but would like some help thinking through it. Can Knight Foundation assist?

A. Yes. The challenge has "circuit riders" to assist applicants and grantees. They help foundations understand the local media “ecology”, analyze opportunities to address information needs and suggest possible courses of action. They will not help you write your proposal but they can help anticipate and surmount challenges ahead of time. Find out more about circuit riders.

Q. What is the application process like?

A. The short, initial application will be posted at informationneeds.org and must be completed by the foundation online. If we like your idea, we'll invite you to complete a full proposal.

Q. What’s the difference between the application and a "full proposal?"

A. The application gives us enough summary information to understand your idea. The full proposal is more detailed.

Q. Who reviews my entry?

A. Knight staff, augmented by outside reviewers. Final decisions lie with the foundation’s board of trustees

Q. Is there a matching requirement?

A. Yes, place-based foundations must match Knight's investment.

Q. Is it always a $1 to $1 match?

A. It is our preference. The size of the match varies depending on the circumstances.

Q. Can our idea include administrative funds to help our foundation understand the new media universe?

A. Yes. We know that many foundations do not have deep expertise in this area.

Q. When will the fifth round of winners (those who applied in early 2012) be announced?

A. Summer 2012.

Q. Where may I learn more about previous winners?

A. Winners are posted here on our web site.

Q. Who do I contact if I have questions?

A. Send an email to kcic@knightfoundation.org.