Friday, December 21, 2007
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'Active' grants made under Knight's National and New Initiatives Program. Each must benefit at least one of Knight's 26 communities.
National and New InitiativesFIRST-QUARTER 2007 GRANTSCivic Engagement and Positive Human Relations
New York, N.Y.
$ 15,000
To support the Clinton Global Initiative in 2007
Other Community Priorities
Washington, D.C.
$ 7,700
For 2007 general operating support.
FOURTH-QUARTER 2006 GRANTSCivic Engagement and Positive Human Relations
Richard Florida Creativity Group
(Washington, D.C.)
$ 85,000
To launch the Knight Creative Communities Initiative, an effort to inspire community engagement and major change using a unique approach that focuses on the technology, talent and tolerance of a place.
The Twenty-First Century Foundation
(New York City)
$ 250,000
Over two years
To ramp up the effectiveness of a unique African-American oriented philanthropy by adding a program officer position and providing general support.
THIRD-QUARTER 2006 GRANTSCivic Engagement & Positive Human Relations
New Profit Inc.
(Cambridge, Mass.)
$ 850,000
Over three years
To foster transformative social change through extended support of the Gathering of Leaders annual conference of social entrepreneurs.
Over the next three years, this grant will help underwrite the annual Gathering of Leaders national conference of visionary leaders and social entrepreneurs. The 2007 conference will be held in Mohonk, N.Y., the location of the first two Gatherings. In 2008, the conference will be held in Miami. In 2009, the conference will be held again in Miami, or another Knight community, by mutual agreement. The Knight-New Profit relationship through the Gathering supports the foundation's commitment to transformative social change in communities.
Richard Florida Creativity Group
(Washington, D.C.)
$ 585,000
Over two years
To implement in three communities the Knight Creative Communities Initiative, an effort to inspire civic engagement and major change using a unique approach that focuses on a community's technology, talent and tolerance.
The Knight Creative Communities Initiative will be a phased program with modules for leadership training, strategic benchmarking and research, and the potential to develop a codified "playbook" for use by Knight communities in their pursuit of community transformation. Richard Florida Creativity Group (RFCG) will present a series of Creative Community Leadership Seminars to train foundation staff and selected community leaders. The curriculum will be based on Florida's Three T (technology, talent and tolerance) theories of economic and community development.
Second-Quarter 2006 GrantsCivic Engagement and Positive Human Relations
Pacific News Service
(San Francisco, Calif.)
(over two years)
$ 500,000
To build ethnic media networks in key Knight Foundation markets, conduct multilingual polls and strengthen ties between immigrant organizations and ethnic media at national and local levels.
The project will build stronger relationships among ethnic media and immigrant groups working at the community level, leading to more and better local coverage of immigration issues. It will also strengthen the capacity of ethnic media at a time they play a crucial role in providing news, information and an advocacy voice for otherwise isolated communities. NAM’s role and visibility will increase, accordingly. Over the course of the two years, it is estimated that NAM’s directory will grow to include at least 150 new ethnic news organizations, many in Knight communities, and 400 immigration-related stories will be produced for the NAM web site.
The American University
(Washington, D.C.)
(over two years)
$ 250,000
For Phase II of the Carter-Baker Commission on Federal Election Reform, an effort to assure that the executive branch, Congress, states and the broader public implement the commission’s recommendations.
Well-Being of Children and Families
Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America
(Alexandria, Va)
(one year)
$ 250,000
To provide training, technical assistance and consulting services to community coalitions and stakeholders in Knight communities.
Fourth-Quarter 2005 Grants (2)Civic Engagement and Positive Human Relations
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(Cambridge, Mass.)
(over three years)
$ 750,000
To conduct and disseminate research on ways to improve the process and means by which Americans vote.
Established in the immediate aftermath of the disputed 2000 presidential election, the CalTech/ MIT Voting Technology Project (VTP) has become the pre-eminent public policy research group of its kind. The VTP’s research findings will help improve voting practices mandated by HAVA and provide needed models for revised voting registration procedures, particularly once states have developed their voter databases. Findings will be disseminated widely through congressional testimony, news reports, conferences and assorted publications to a broad cross-section of election officials, policymakers, researchers, the media and others interested in the integrity and effectiveness of the voting process.
Housing and Community Development
CEOs for Cities
(Chicago, Ill.)
(over two years)
$ 500,000
To develop and disseminate research and strategic policy guidelines on urban economic competitiveness and to launch an initiative designed to help cities attract and retain families with young children.
CEOs for Cities is a national bipartisan alliance of mayors, corporate executives, university presidents, and nonprofit and foundation leaders working to advance the economic competitiveness of American cities. The project will create a body of knowledge that supports the continued growth of cities as the primary drivers of America’s economic competitiveness and will promote a clearer understanding of what makes cities dynamic and healthy. Through speeches, meetings, publications, media coverage and word-of-mouth communications, the project will link research, policy and action, equipping mayors and other urban leaders with facts, narratives and relationships that will help them strengthen their cities. CEOs for Cities will build its network of urban leaders to involve at least eight new cities, including San Jose. Over time, this effort will result in establishing a more positive view of cities and stronger policy frameworks for sound urban decision making.
Third-Quarter 2005 Grants (7)
Civic Engagement and Positive Human Relations
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA
(New York, N.Y.)
$250,000
For the Faithful America Institute, an effort to rebuild a mainstream, interdenominational faith-based communication and policy agenda. To revitalize a faith-based discussion over the government’s role in meeting human needs.
As a result of this initiative, mainstream faith leaders will be much better equipped with talking points, policy papers, intellectual support, prepared testimony, draft op-eds, sermons, study guides and church bulletins – and more able to unite around a shared policy agenda. The faith-based policy dialogue in the United States will become more balanced and nuanced, since religious spokespersons will no longer be able to propound unsupported charges and theories without fear of rebuttal. Reporters, policymakers and faith leaders will be equipped to respond to such charges within news cycles or during a policy debate. Future leaders will gain experience and establish contacts and professional support networks while contributing to substantive research and advocacy.
New Profit Inc.
(New York, N.Y.)
$250,000
To develop the Social Entrepreneur Action Tank, a new initiative for translating the ideas of top social entrepreneurs into concrete policy recommendations. To encourage information and resource sharing across disciplines, issues and geographic regions.
The project will mobilize a national corps of leading social entrepreneurs, who will meet to establish a set of guiding principles and develop core proposals in priority areas of service. Through convening, dialogue, seminars and other ongoing communication strategies, the Action Tank will facilitate large scale social change by opening up new opportunities for social entrepreneurs to engage with policy makers. Building the Social Entrepreneurs’ Action Tank is critical to achieving New Profit’s ultimate aspiration: that one day, social entrepreneurs will operate in a climate more favorable to scaling their innovation – through national/state/local policies better aligned with their strategies, as well as increased efficiency and transparency in the nonprofit capital marketplace – thus enabling more people to benefit from effective approaches to creating healthy, educated, competitive citizens.
National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy
(Washington, D.C.)
$150,000
(over two years)
To support research and communications on issues of philanthropic reform. To support the philanthropic field by encouraging foundations, corporations and other funders to engage in more accountable, transparent and socially responsive grant making.
Communications Leadership Institute
(Washington, D.C.)
$100,000
To sponsor five Knight grantees to attend the Communications Leadership Institute. To build the communications capacity of Knight grant partners and the broader nonprofit sector.
Manhattan Institute for Policy Research
(New York, N.Y.)
$100,000
(over two years)
For an immigration reform initiative including research, public communications and legislative policy development. To support the Immigration Integration Initiative by addressing the need for better federal policy and laws regarding immigration.
Economic Development
University of Maryland Foundation
(Adelphi, Md.)
$30,000
To identify and assess a range of new state and local policies on community wealth building and asset development, and to make that information available through the Web and other means. To increase knowledge of innovative economic development models and provide information and resources that can be applied in Knight Communities.
Housing and Community Development
The Enterprise Foundation
(Columbia, Md.)
$250,000
(over two years)
To support Green Communities, a collaboration forging closer ties between America's community development and environmental movements.
Enterprise provides low-income communities the tools they need to create affordable housing, decent jobs, better childcare, and safer streets. A working group of leading community development and environmental organizations will come together to develop and advance a common agenda and address shared threats. The project will result in broader understanding, acceptance and implementation of cross-sector approaches to connect environmental and community development issues and a larger, more diverse coalition to defend and support progressive policies at all levels of government. More specifically, the initiative will produce a set of communications tools and resources for others in the community development/environmental fields working to repopulate city neighborhoods, revitalize “weak-market” cities and build “green” low-income housing.
Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
(Philadelphia, Pa.)
$250,000
(over two years)
To launch a third cohort of community development fellows while developing new revenue sources and a more effective program model. To train a new generation of community development professionals by providing them with job skills, resources and relationships.
As a result of this grant, a third cohort of early-career urban redevelopment professionals will be mentored and trained, thereby developing the skills they need to pursue a career in the field. The Center will implement a new business model, making their revenue streams more diverse and its overall structure more sustainable. Through its outreach to new potential fellows and host organizations, the Center will have increased its geographic reach.
New World Symphony
(Miami Beach, Fla.)
$200,000
(over three years)
For the Internet2 Distance Learning Program, a cutting-edge arts education initiative that promotes cross-community interaction among current and future symphony orchestra leaders. To help future orchestral leaders gain the range of skills needed by 21st century artists.
Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics
(Los Angeles, Calif.)
$100,000
To build leadership capacity in the Asian Pacific American (APA) community by training and developing a national pipeline of effective APA leaders in civic, political and youth arenas. To focus on civic participation for minority and other disengaged populations.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(Cambridge, Mass.)
$100,000
For transition funding for the Museum Loan Network (MLN), to stabilize the future of the MLN directory and other museum collaboration programs. To increase access to museum exhibitions and cultural programs.
WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Civil Society Institute
(Newton Centre, Mass.)
$225,000
To plan a community-based component to a multi-state early childhood network and develop of a statewide partnership for Quality Pre-Kindergarten in Pennsylvania.
Second-Quarter 2005 Grants (7)
PRIORITY: Civic Engagement and Positive Human Relations
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
$800,000
(Washington, D.C.)
(over four years)
To analyze the impact of federal and state budget proposals on Knight priority areas and help grant partners access and use budget and tax policy data.
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities was founded in 1981 and is dedicated to the analysis of all significant tax proposals and the resources available to meet important needs. This project will use several strategies, including trainings, briefs and technical assistance, to build the capacity of local partners in Knight communities on budget and tax policy so that they can better advocate for programs that provide essential support to the populations they serve.
$800,000
(New York, N.Y.)
(over four years)
To help state and local policy-makers, election officials, community leaders and election-reform organizations promote election reforms and expand voter participation.
Demos is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research, technical assistance and advocacy organization committed to creating a robust and inclusive American democracy with high levels of electoral participation and civic engagement. This project aims to bolster voter registration and participation and expand the election reform movement at the national and state level by analyzing election reform issues and publishing and distributing research reports, white papers, fact sheets and a biweekly electronic newsletter. Demos will also work with the Election Assistance Commission, members of Congress and state legislators to promote additional reports, provide technical assistance to state and federal policy-makers, community leaders and election reform organizations, as well as work with key state officials who oversee elections and implement election reforms.
The Brookings Institution
$800,000
(Washington, D.C.)
(over four years)
To work with the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) to monitor the implementation of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) and develop a bipartisan policy agenda for further administration reform.
In collaboration with the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), Brookings has launched an effort to improve American election policies and administration. Brookings and AEI plan a collaborative effort extending though the 2008 elections to synthesize research; develop a bipartisan, practical national policy for election reform; monitor the implementation of HAVA and its proposed amendments; and ensure that research and policy recommendations are fed into the policy process in a timely and productive manner. This project will result in better informed policy-makers, a more comprehensive view of election reform changes among the national policy community, a higher profile for election reform issues within Washington and better coordination among groups and researchers around the county. A national clearinghouse of information on HAVA will result from the Brookings/AEI project.
American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research
$800,000
(New York, N.Y.)
(over four years)
To help state and local policy-makers, election officials, community leaders and election-reformers expand voter participation.
American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research (AEI) will work in collaboration with the Brookings Institution to improve American election policies and administration (see above).
The American University
$250,000
(Washington, D.C.)
(over two years)
To establish the Committee for the Study of the American Electorate at the American University School of Public Affairs Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies.
National Executives Service Corps
$200,000
(New York, N.Y.)
(over two years)
To enhance general organizational capacity, support affiliate programs in Charlotte and Miami and establish a new affiliate in Tallahassee.
The American University
$100,000
(Washington, D.C.)
(over two years)
To support efforts by the Carter-Baker Commission on Federal Election Reform to strengthen the American electoral system.
First-Quarter 2005 Grants
PRIORITY: housing and community development
Funders’ Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities
$212,500
(Coral Gables, Fla.)
To support the second phase of a multiyear communications initiative promoting the smart growth and more livable communities movement.
PRIORITY: well-being of children and families
Afterschool Alliance
$750,000
(Washington, D.C.)
(over three years)
To provide technical assistance and cross-community learning opportunities to Knight grantees working on out-of-school-time programming and related youth development initiatives in Akron, Bradenton, Columbia, Columbus, Palm Beach County, Macon and Milledgeville.
The Afterschool Alliance has expertise in training out-of-school-time practitioners and community leaders on communicating with the media and policy-makers. Representatives from grantee organizations will gain opportunities for training, networking and more effective advocacy on behalf of their programs and out-of-school-time programs in general. The project will facilitate cross-community exchanges of information, build the capacity of local community agencies, and strengthen ties between national leaders and practitioners working at the grass-roots level.
priority: civic engagement and positive human relations
Public Interest Project
$4,000,000
New York, N.Y.
To establish the American Dream Fund, which will provide flexible funding to immigrant-serving organizations in Knight communities.
The American Dream Fund will be the local component of Knight’s immigration integration initiative, supporting organizations based and working in the 26 Knight communities. Working with the local community advisory committees, the new fund will provide multiyear flexible funding to organizations that foster civic participation of foreign-born residents. The fund will target organizations that help immigrants learn English and become naturalized citizens; organize immigrants around critical social and economic issues and public policies; engage in nonpartisan voter education and mobilization; develop leadership among immigrant youths; or conduct communitywide exchanges that promote relationship building across race, ethnicity and immigration status. Organizations supported by the American Dream Fund will work with the national immigration networks funded by Knight by joining joint advocacy or communications campaigns or participating in group strategizing, events or retreats.
priority: economic development
Center for Economic Progress
$750,000
Chicago, Ill.
(over three years)
To support the National Community Tax Coalition in providing intensive technical assistance and cross-community learning opportunities to organizations running Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)/Prosperity Campaigns in 10 Knight communities.
Representatives from Knight-funded community-based organizations will attend the Tax Coalition’s annual conference where participants receive information on “best practices” and participate in a special public policy training session that will be conducted in collaboration with Charity Lobbying in the Public Interest. Participants in the conference will learn the basics of low-income tax policy, immigrant tax policy issues, potential legislative changes to the tax code that will affect working families, regulatory issues affecting working families and disproportionate targeting of EITC taxpayers for IRS enforcement. The project will enhance the ability of each organization to provide eligible individuals and families with access to the EITC and other tax credits, educate taxpayers on prosperity strategies and connect them with available programs and services.
PRIORITY: other national priorities
9/11 Public Discourse Project
$200,000
Washington, D.C.
(over three years)
To initiate a nationwide public education campaign for the purpose of making America safer and more secure.
Institute for Global Ethics
$144,355
Washington, D.C.
(over two years)
To research, develop and disseminate standards of conduct for interscholastic coaching across the United States.
Fourth-Quarter 2004 Grants
priority: economic development
University of Maryland
$100,000
College Park, Md.
Over two years
12/9/04
To disseminate research and build constituencies to promote new models for community-based economic development institutions.
PRIORITY: well-being of children and families
Voices for America’s Children
$770,000
Washington, D.C.
Over three years
To enhance the skills of state-level child advocacy organizations and Knight community-based grantees in the areas of early care and education, youth development, and budget and tax policy. To help build the capacity and effectiveness of Knight grantee organizations and other agencies working to improve the lives of children.
Voices for America’s Children works to improve the lives of children in the United States by enhancing the effectiveness of state and locally-based, multi-issue child advocacy organizations. Voices provides member organizations in 44 states with essential resources including advocacy skills, organizational development, and training and technical assistance in various policy issues. This grant funds an expansion of Voices work and will offer state affiliates expanded assistance on a wider variety of issues. During the first year, Voices will begin the process of integrating Knight community-based grantees into their network. Voices will assist them in strengthening their knowledge and capacity around public policy work.
priority: civic engagement and positive human relations
$1.2 million
Washington, D.C.
(over four years)
12/9/04
To increase the knowledge and preparedness of Knight community-based nonprofits to engage in the public policy process by developing comprehensive policy plans.
Charity Lobbying in the Public Interest (CLPI) was founded in 1998 out of concern that the essential public policy role of charities faces persistent barriers, including nonprofit leaders’ belief that lobbying is illegal, unethical, inappropriate, unimportant or impossible. CLPI provides basic legal and how-to materials, conducts training workshops about how to launch lobbying campaigns and communicate effectively with legislators, and works to improve the lobbying laws for charities. This grant funds CLPI’s work with Knight grantees to help them develop plans for public policy engagement on specific issues such as early childhood, youth development, family income support and immigrant civic participation. CLPI will conduct a series of Public Policy Clinics at cross-community gatherings of community-based grantees.
New Profit, Inc.
$75,000
Cambridge, Mass.
12/9/04
For a convening of leading social entrepreneurs to help them build alliances and generate new thinking and resources to increase their reach and impact.
The City University of New York
$25,000
New York City
12/9/04
For a feasibility study to develop an appropriate structure, research agenda and dissemination strategy for a think tank on foundations.
Third-Quarter 2004 Grants
priority: civic engagement and positive human relations
Brown University
$245,000
(Providence, R.I.)
One Year
Sept. 2004
For Campus Compact to conduct a scan of partnerships between campuses and community initiatives in Knight communities to identify opportunities for institutions of higher education to play more significant roles in community improvement efforts. This grant advances Knight’s interest in cross-sector partnerships with anchor institutions as a means to achieve a community outcome.
Alliance for Children and Families
$150,000
(Milwaukee, Wis.)
One Year
Sept. 2004
For a series of regional and national scenario planning sessions with nonprofit agencies serving children and families to build their capacity to respond to changing market forces. .
Spitfire Communications Leadership Institute
$120,000
(Washington, D.C.)
One Year
Sept. 2004
To build the communications skills of the leaders of six Knight Foundation grantee organizations and to provide technical assistance to the organizations and the broader nonprofit sector. .
American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research.
$55,000
(Washington, D.C.)
One Year
Sept. 2004
For a series of election-year public events encouraging the examination of the governing styles of the major presidential candidates.
PRIORITY: education
The Teachers Network
$200,000
(New York, N.Y.)
(over two years)
Sept. 2004
To sustain teacher support networks and programming in eight Knight communities.
Forum for the Future of Higher Education
$150,000
(Cambridge, Mass.)
(over three years)
Sept. 2004
To conduct research and convene annual symposia to focus the institutional and financial resources of colleges and universities on pressing social and community needs.
PRIORITY: vitality of cultural life
American Symphony Orchestra League
$50,000
(New York, N.Y.)
One year
Sept. 2004
For a Fred Friendly Seminar to explore fundamental issues and challenges now facing orchestras and a related postseminar training program for the field.
Twin Cities Public Television
$25,000
(St. Paul, Minn.)
One year
Sept. 2004
For the research and development phase of a new public television series based on audience engagement strategies developed through the Magic of Music Initiative.
Second-Quarter 2004 Grants
priority: economic development
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA
$600,000
(New York, NY)
(Over two years)
To introduce the Benefit Bank program in Ohio and Mississippi, helping low-income individuals obtain federal, state and other benefits for which they are eligible.
The council will adapt the Benefit Bank model for use in Florida and foster a coalition with local partners that include the Human Services Coalition of Dade County, ACORN and others still to be determined. Once the Benefit Bank is adapted for local use, the council will work with community-based organizations to provide training sessions on Benefit Bank software to counselors, volunteers and one-stop workforce development advisers. Particular emphasis will be placed on working with organizations serving residents in Overtown and East Little Havana.
PRIORITY: well-being of children and families
National Association for the Education of Young Children
$1,270,000
(Washington, D.C.)
(Over three years)
June 2004
To continue the work of NAEYC’s School Readiness Connections project, which provides Knight grantees working in the area of early childhood with opportunities for professional development and cross-community learning.
This grant supports Knight’s partners in the early childhood development field by providing opportunities to share information about best and innovative practices NAEYC will use at its annual conference. The grant will pay for 75 community partner representatives to attend the annual conference and participate in sessions specifically designed for them. NAEYC will develop a web site and e-learning program designed for Knight’s grantees.
PRIORITY: housing and community development
$4,800,000
(New York, N.Y.)
(over three years)
June 2004
To expand and deepen a tri-sector collaborative investment to improve urban neighborhoods in 23 communities.
Living Cities will continue its community development work in distressed urban communities. The organization will promote efficient and effective investments to transform neighborhoods, and provide information to increase investment in urban neighborhoods. The three-year program will focus on the 23 communities in the Cities Program and develop broader policy and public affairs activities. Living Cities will also focus its resources in Detroit, Philadelphia, Miami, Newark and the Twin Cities.
priority: civic engagement and positive human relations
Public Interest Projects
$2,500,000
(New York, N.Y.)
(over five years)
June 2004
For a funding collaborative (Four Freedoms Fund) that invests in local and regional organizations that promote immigrant integration and civic participation.
The funding collaborative called the Four Freedoms Fund (FFF) will use this Knight grant to support local civic participation groups in regions of the country with high concentrations of immigrants, including Detroit, Long Beach and South Florida. FFF will provide capacity building technical assistance grants to help emerging organizations with technology, infrastructure and human resource development. FFF will help other funders explore ways that immigrant civic participation can be integrated with ongoing programs.
National Immigration Forum
$1,750,000
(Washington, D.C.)
One year
June 2004
To build public support for a more effective naturalization process, increased funding for English language education and policies that facilitate immigrant integration.
The National Immigration Forum will develop strategies with other national and local organizations to promote policies that encourage immigrants to become citizens and make the naturalization process more efficient. Project leaders will work with the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services to ensure that new citizens can register to vote. The project includes building and maintaining a web site that will serve as a clearinghouse of information on best practices in the field of immigrant integration.
National Council of La Raza
$1,250,000
(Washington, D.C.)
(over five years)
June 2004
To increase the effectiveness and scale of citizenship and civic participation initiatives targeting immigrant populations nationally and in Knight communities.
National Council of La Raza (NCLR) will analyze strategies that help new Americans participate in the voting process and develop programs for organizations to increase voter participation. NCLR will study national voter registration campaigns targeting immigrants to assess efficiency and efficacy and review voter data that measures the turnout success of each local campaign. The organization will also select local organizations to increase voter turnout in immigrant communities.
Center for Community Change
$1,250,000
(Washington, D.C.)
(Over five years)
June 2004
To develop a national network of local community-based nonprofit organizations serving immigrant populations that will help them build skills and capacity by linking them to national resources and opportunities.
This grant will help community-based groups link new immigrant populations to resources and opportunities. Over the next five years, in collaboration with the National Council of La Raza, National Immigration Forum and the Four Freedoms Fund, the project will focus on organizational and leadership development and civic engagement.
Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants And Refugees
$30,500
(Sebastopol, Calif.)
One year
June 2004
To produce and disseminate a report on promising models of immigrant civic engagement and ways funders can support this work.
First-Quarter 2004 Grants
PRIORITY: housing and community development
University of Miami
$1,100,000
Coral Gables, Fla.
(Over three years)
March 2004
To continue to train midcareer professionals through the School of Architecture's Knight Fellows Program in Community Building and develop a sustainability model for the organization.
The program will continue to combine academic training, research, professional networking and direct experience working in communities nationwide. Each year midcareer fellowships will be awarded to 12 community builders and journalists, but with specific encouragement to applicants from Knight communities. Charrettes (community forums) will be held in three Knight communities and will address urban planning challenges identified by each community.
priority: economic development
$1,000,000
(Boston, Mass.
(Over three years)
March 2004
To expand microlending programs to emerging and established small business entrepreneurs in Knight communities through the introduction of online loan services and through the establishment of one or two new offices.
ACCION will improve the ability to attract and retain clients with three new loan products. The organization will create an Internet-based loan application so clients can have access from even the most remote areas of the country. ACCION will simplify the application process leading to loan processing on the phone. It will form agreements with lending partners, both community organizations and/or banks that will conduct client intake and loan disbursement functions on behalf of ACCION in communities.
priority: civic engagement and positive human relations
Hispanics in Philanthropy
$1,000,000
San Francisco, Calif.
(Over five years)
March 2004
To provide matching grants to a local philanthropic collaborative that funds emerging organizations serving the Hispanic community in Boulder, Long Beach, San Jose, Philadelphia, St. Paul, Miami and Duluth.
The philanthropic collaborative will provide matching grants, hands-on technical assistance, leadership training and networking opportunities to help Latino organizations increase effectiveness and gain greater visibility within philanthropy. The grant seeks to make Latino nonprofits stronger and more effective.
PRIORITY: education
Teach for America
$1,500,000
(New York, N.Y.)
(over four years)
March 2004
To support existing teaching programs in Philadelphia, Camden, Miami and Detroit and strengthen the national organization's capacity to recruit and train effective corps members.
Teach for America will expand the size of its teaching corps in four Knight communities. By refining its preservice training, ongoing professional development support network and management capabilities for Knight community programs, corps members will be better prepared to complete their teaching assignments. Teach for
Council for Excellence in Government
$1,000,000
(Washington, D.C.)
(Over four years)
March 2004
To increase the quantity and quality of the K-12 civic education in the public schools, in three to five states with Knight communities.
*This grant is funded through Knight's National and New Program and Journalism Program. The council seeks to increase public support for improved civic education standards and practices in up to six states, including at least three states with Knight communities. The goal is to increase the quality and quantity of civic education taught in public schools. In addition, the project will elevate student journalism and media literacy to the status of a serious element of civic education, and at least one state will strongly recommend student media as part of its civic education curriculum.
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