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John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

Annual Giving
$130.0M
Grant Range
$25K - $25.0M
Decision Time
4mo

John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $130 million (2023)
  • Total Assets: $2.6 billion (2024)
  • Decision Time: 3-6 months (varies by program)
  • Grant Range: $25,000 - $25,000,000+
  • Geographic Focus: National, with special focus on 26 Knight communities
  • Application Method: Invite-only and open calls for proposals

Contact Details

Main Office:

Application Information:

Overview

Founded in 1950 by brothers John S. and James L. Knight, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation is one of America's premier foundations supporting journalism, arts, and community engagement. With total assets of $2.6 billion and annual giving of approximately $130 million, Knight made 315 grants totaling $195 million in 2023. The foundation's mission is to support a more effective democracy by funding free expression and journalism, arts and culture in community, research in areas of media and democracy, and the success of American cities and towns. In 2024, Maribel Pérez Wadsworth became the foundation's seventh president and first woman leader, bringing nearly three decades of journalism experience as former president of Gannett Media and publisher of USA Today. The foundation maintains a special focus on 26 communities where the Knight brothers once published newspapers, with resident program officers in 8 major cities. In September 2023, Knight announced a landmark $150 million, five-year anchor investment in Press Forward, a collaborative initiative to revitalize local journalism, adding to the more than $632 million the foundation has invested in journalism since 2005.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Journalism Program Knight Foundation is among the nation's largest supporters of local journalism. Recent major grants include:

  • Press Forward Initiative: $150 million over five years (2023-2028) to support local newsroom sustainability
  • American Journalism Project: $25 million to strengthen up to 60 local nonprofit newsrooms and establish the Knight Resiliency Lab
  • Report for America: $20 million in 2024 to support rural journalists and underserved communities
  • Arizona State University: $10.5 million to launch the Knight Center for the Future of News at the Cronkite School
  • Grant amounts: Typically $25,000 - $25,000,000+

Arts and Culture Program Knight invests in arts that engage, educate, and connect residents to their communities. In 2024, Knight invested $40.7 million in local arts groups through various programs. Recent grants include:

  • Knight New Work: Challenge grants for innovative arts projects in Knight communities
  • UC San Diego: $5 million for The Depot, a multidisciplinary arts and cultural hub
  • Cleveland Public Theatre: $4 million challenge grant for campus renovation
  • Grant amounts: Typically $50,000 - $5,000,000

Community Impact Program Supports projects that develop talent, promote opportunity, and increase civic engagement in Knight's 26 communities. Focus areas include:

  • Economic development and entrepreneurship
  • Public spaces and placemaking
  • Talent attraction and retention
  • Civic engagement initiatives
  • Grant amounts: Typically $50,000 - $10,000,000+

Information and Society Research and innovation at the intersection of technology, media, and democracy, addressing how technology reshapes information-seeking and democratic values.

Priority Areas

What They Actively Fund:

  • Local journalism sustainability and innovation
  • Quality, independent, and trusted news organizations
  • Arts and cultural programming that engages communities authentically
  • Projects that attract and retain talent in cities
  • Initiatives that expand economic opportunity
  • Programs that foster civic engagement
  • Public spaces and community gathering places
  • Research on media, democracy, and technology
  • Organizations in the 26 Knight communities (see list below)
  • Projects led by diverse and representative teams

26 Knight Communities:

  • With Resident Program Officers: Akron (OH), Charlotte (NC), Detroit (MI), Macon (GA), Miami (FL), Philadelphia (PA), San Jose (CA), St. Paul (MN)
  • With Community Foundation Partnerships: Aberdeen (SD), Biloxi (MS), Boulder (CO), Bradenton (FL), Columbia (SC), Columbus (GA), Duluth (MN), Fort Wayne (IN), Gary (IN), Grand Forks (ND), Lexington (KY), Long Beach (CA), Milledgeville (GA), Myrtle Beach (SC), Palm Beach County (FL), State College (PA), Tallahassee (FL), Wichita (KS)

What They Don't Fund

Explicit Exclusions:

  • Fundraising events or operating deficits
  • Charities operated by service clubs
  • Activities normally the responsibility of government (with selective exceptions for special projects)
  • Medical research or disease-specific organizations
  • Hospital requests (except community-wide capital campaigns or specific projects meeting foundation goals)
  • Activities to propagate a religious faith or restricted to one religion
  • Political candidates or campaigns
  • Memorials
  • International programs (except U.S.-based organizations supporting free press globally)
  • Second requests for capital campaigns previously funded
  • Conferences, group travel, or honoraria (except in foundation-initiated programs)
  • Individual scholarships
  • Indirect administrative fees (with selective exceptions)

Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership

Maribel Pérez Wadsworth - President & CEO and Trustee Maribel Pérez Wadsworth made history as Knight's seventh president and first woman to lead the foundation. A Miami native with nearly three decades of journalism experience, she previously served as president of Gannett Media and publisher of USA Today, leading a team of more than 4,000 journalists in over 200 communities. She has stated: "Ensuring that local journalism thrives is what will allow our democracy to flourish. But the kind of journalism we support matters. It has to be quality, independent, sustainable, reliable, and – above all – journalism that is representative of and trusted by the communities it serves."

On the urgency of supporting journalism, she wrote: "Over the last two decades, nearly 3,000 U.S. newspapers closed, most of them local, and 43,000 newspaper reporting jobs disappeared. Donors concerned not only about the business of journalism but also about the health of our democracy have taken notice, and they're investing to create solutions...To preserve our democracy, philanthropy must learn to move at the speed of news."

Christopher M. Austen - Chair of the Board and Trustee

Board of Trustees

The Knight Foundation Board includes prominent leaders in journalism, business, and philanthropy:

  • Ana-Marie Codina, Trustee
  • Martin "Marty" Baron, Trustee (former executive editor of The Washington Post)
  • Dean Baquet, Trustee (former executive editor of The New York Times)
  • Stephanie Bell-Rose, Trustee
  • Shona L. Brown, Trustee
  • Adriana Cisneros, Trustee
  • Austin Clements, Trustee
  • Ramona Hood, Trustee
  • Michael Marsicano, Ph.D., Trustee
  • Christine Amer Mayer, Trustee
  • Charles Olson, Trustee
  • Kevin Stephenson, Trustee
  • Matthew Stepka, Trustee

The board's composition reflects Knight's commitment to journalism excellence and community development, with several members having distinguished careers in major news organizations.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Application Method: Knight Foundation does not maintain a permanent open application process. Instead, the foundation operates through:

  1. Invite-only basis: For most funding opportunities (as of 2024-2025)
  2. Open challenges and calls for proposals: Announced throughout the year for specific funding priorities
  3. Press Forward: Journalism funding distributed through open calls aligned with Press Forward priorities at www.pressforward.news

Staying Informed:

  • Subscribe to the Knight Foundation newsletter at knightfoundation.org
  • Follow Knight on social media (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter/X)
  • Check the website regularly: https://knightfoundation.org/apply/
  • For Knight communities, contact local community foundations

Pre-Application:

  • Some programs may require a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) before full proposal
  • Applicants are encouraged to align projects with one or more of Knight's four program areas
  • For Knight communities, connecting with local program officers is recommended

Decision Timeline

Typical Timeframes:

  • From submission to decision: 3-6 months (varies by program and call)
  • Review process: Applications undergo review by program staff and external experts
  • Notification: Applicants are notified via email
  • Grant processing: Successful applicants work with Knight staff to finalize grant agreements

Note: Timelines vary significantly based on the specific funding opportunity, grant size, and program area. Large strategic grants may take longer than smaller challenge grants.

Success Rates

Specific success rate statistics are not publicly disclosed by Knight Foundation. However, key indicators of competitiveness include:

  • In 2023, Knight approved 315 grants from among all applications and inquiries received
  • The foundation operates primarily through targeted calls and invite-only processes rather than open competitions
  • Past Knight challenge programs have typically been highly competitive, with hundreds of applications for dozens of awards
  • The foundation emphasizes quality over quantity, seeking transformative projects aligned with strategic priorities

Reapplication Policy

Knight Foundation maintains flexibility in its reapplication policy:

  • Unsuccessful applicants may reapply for future open calls or challenges
  • Organizations cannot receive a second grant for the same capital campaign previously funded
  • The foundation encourages learning from previous applications and strengthening proposals
  • Building relationships with Knight staff through their work and community engagement is valuable for future applications

Application Success Factors

What Knight Foundation Looks For

Clear and Compelling Communication: According to Knight's own guidance for applicants: "Get someone unfamiliar with your work to read your application to ensure they understand it and want to read more, as you need to capture attention in 10 seconds." Applications should use bullets, shorter sentences, and document passion "simply and powerfully." A strong application is "clear, concise, and free of jargon."

Focus on Outcomes and Impact: Knight seeks ideas that demonstrate measurable impact. For community projects, proposals should speak to at least one key area: attracting and keeping talented people, expanding economic opportunity, or promoting civic engagement. "Focus on the outcomes and make sure your idea is oriented towards moving talent, opportunity or engagement forward."

Context and Specificity: Strong applications "explain why, why now and why here" by being specific and using data and trends from local sources. Applications should clearly articulate "how you would measure success and engage others, calling out milestones to be achieved."

Team and Execution: Knight looks for "ideas with a clear understanding of the problem and key people affected, plus strong teams with the background and experience necessary to implement the project." For technology projects, having "technology expertise on the team from the early stages" is particularly important.

Alignment with Strategic Priorities:

  • For Journalism: Focus on quality, independent, sustainable, reliable journalism that is "representative of and trusted by the communities it serves"
  • For Arts: Demonstrate how art will "engage, educate and delights residents in ways that are authentic to each community"
  • For Communities: Show how the project will develop talent, promote opportunity, or increase civic engagement

Recent Grant Examples

Journalism:

  • MLK50 (Memphis): $500,000 over five years for local investigative journalism
  • American Journalism Project: $25 million for 60 local nonprofit newsrooms
  • WBUR/Greater Public (Boston): Digital transformation grant in 2024

Arts:

  • La Placita at Mexican Heritage Plaza (East San José): $6 million+
  • UC San Diego: $5 million for The Depot arts and cultural hub
  • Cleveland Public Theatre: $4 million for campus expansion

Communities:

  • Philadelphia: $19 million in 2018 for community engagement, journalism, and arts
  • Detroit: $20 million for community development initiatives

Key Terminology Knight Uses

  • "Informed and engaged democracy"
  • "Quality, independent journalism"
  • "Trusted by communities"
  • "Civic engagement"
  • "Economic opportunity"
  • "Talent attraction and retention"
  • "Sustainable models"
  • "Community authenticity"
  • "Free expression"

Common Success Factors

  • Projects based in or serving Knight's 26 communities have priority consideration
  • Innovation in addressing longstanding challenges
  • Collaborative approaches and partnerships
  • Sustainability plans beyond Knight funding
  • Diverse, representative leadership and team
  • Clear metrics for success and evaluation plans
  • Track record of effective implementation

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Geography Matters: While Knight makes grants nationally, projects in the 26 Knight communities receive priority consideration. If you're in one of these cities, emphasize this connection prominently in your application.

  2. Wait for the Right Opportunity: Knight operates primarily through targeted calls and challenges rather than open applications. Be patient, subscribe to their newsletter, and apply when a call aligns with your work rather than trying to force-fit your project to an invitation-only process.

  3. Lead with Democracy and Community: Knight's overarching mission is supporting effective democracy. Frame your work—whether journalism, arts, or community development—in terms of how it strengthens democratic engagement, community trust, or informed citizenship.

  4. Quality Over Hype: Knight values clear, jargon-free communication. Focus on measurable outcomes and honest assessment of challenges rather than overselling. As their guidance states, you have "10 seconds to capture attention"—make them count with clarity and specificity.

  5. Build Strategic Relationships: For journalism projects, engage with Press Forward. For community projects, connect with local Knight program officers or community foundations in Knight cities. These relationships can lead to invitation-only opportunities.

  6. Show Sustainability: Knight invests in long-term solutions, not short-term fixes. Demonstrate how your project will sustain impact beyond Knight's funding period through earned revenue, other funders, or community support.

  7. Align with Current Priorities: As of 2024-2025, Knight is heavily focused on Press Forward and local journalism sustainability, arts that authentically engage communities, and projects that address economic opportunity and civic engagement in their 26 cities. Time your approach to align with these strategic emphases.

References

  1. Knight Foundation Official Website, "About," https://knightfoundation.org/about/ (accessed January 2025)

  2. Knight Foundation, "Funding Opportunities," https://knightfoundation.org/apply/ (accessed January 2025)

  3. Knight Foundation, "Funding Restrictions," https://knightfoundation.org/apply/funding-restrictions/ (accessed January 2025)

  4. Knight Foundation, "Financial Information," https://knightfoundation.org/about/financial-info/ (accessed January 2025)

  5. Knight Foundation, "Board of Trustees," https://knightfoundation.org/about/trustees/ (accessed January 2025)

  6. Knight Foundation Press Release, "Knight Foundation announces $150 million anchor investment in new $500 million 'Press Forward' initiative," September 2023, https://knightfoundation.org/press/releases/knight-foundation-press-forward-anchor-investment-announcement/

  7. Knight Foundation, "Opening Remarks by Maribel Pérez Wadsworth at Knight Media Forum 2024," https://knightfoundation.org/speeches/opening-remarks-by-maribel-perez-wadsworth-at-knight-media-forum-2024/ (accessed January 2025)

  8. Knight Foundation, "Tips and insights on applying for the Knight Cities Challenge," https://knightfoundation.org/articles/tips-and-insights-applying-knight-cities-challenge/ (accessed January 2025)

  9. Knight Foundation, "Four tips for submitting a successful Knight Cities Challenge application," https://knightfoundation.org/articles/four-tips-for-submitting-a-successful-knight-cities-challenge-application/ (accessed January 2025)

  10. Inside Philanthropy, "John S. and James L. Knight Foundation," https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-k/knight-foundation (accessed January 2025)

  11. Knight Foundation Financial Statements 2023, https://knightfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Report-of-Independent-Auditors-2023.pdf (accessed January 2025)

  12. Knight Foundation, "Community Impact," https://knightfoundation.org/programs/communities/ (accessed January 2025)

  13. Wikipedia, "Knight Foundation," https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knight_Foundation (accessed January 2025)

  14. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, Knight Foundation profile, https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/911791788 (accessed January 2025)

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