Welcome

The Communities Program aims to improve the quality of life in 26 U.S. communities where the Knight brothers owned newspapers.

We recognize the uniqueness of each of our 26 communities. In every one, Knight Foundation’s program directors look to local advisory committees to provide critical insight and help identify opportunities.

Click on community of interest to visit the home page:

Six priority areas

As we see it, the Communities Program can best succeed by developing long-term strategies focused on a few critical priorities. In particular, we believe Knight communities share opportunities in the following six priority areas:

• Education: To help all residents gain the knowledge and skills necessary to reach economic self-sufficiency, remain active learners, be good parents and effective citizens in a democracy. To provide an environment in which talented individuals refine and develop their abilities.
• Well-being of children and families: To provide all children and youth with opportunities for positive growth and development and to give all parents resources they need to strengthen their families.
• Housing and community development: To provide all residents with access to affordable and decent housing in safe, drug-free neighborhoods. To provide a continuum that includes everything from services for the homeless to affordable opportunities for home ownership.
• Economic development: To help all adults gain access to jobs. To build alliances among government, business and nonprofit sectors to create economic opportunities for residents.
• Civic engagement/positive human relations: To encourage and enable all residents to participate effectively in the democratic process, form ties to local institutions and strengthen relationships with one another.
• Vitality of cultural life: To provide all residents access to a wide variety of artistic and cultural pursuits. To nourish creativity in children, youth and adults.

Knight's 26 communities

The first step in applying for a grant is to contact the program director for your area of grant making. Click on the links below for contact information, news and recent grants.

Donor advised funds