James A. & Faith Knight Foundation Grant

The James A. & Faith Knight Foundation Grant supports nonprofit organizations in Jackson and Washtenaw Counties, Michigan. The foundation values sound financial management, governance practices, and a clear mission, with a focus on gender, diversity, and outcomes. Key funding priorities include general operating support, environmental sustainability, and initiatives benefiting women and girls. Organizations are expected to demonstrate their commitment to these values during the application process, which may include site visits.

NOTE:
Any grants received after the deadline date, will be deferred to the first quarter of the New Year.Access to the system requires that applicants first register their organization with the NonProfit Portal.
Our Giving
The foundation giving is focused on Jackson and Washtenaw Counties in Michigan. We fund many different and far reaching organizations.
In general, the foundation supports organizations that believe in good nonprofit practices including sound financial management, developed governance practices, and clarity of mission. Attention to gender, diversity, and outcomes are important. Grant recipients will be asked to document their organization in these terms as part of the review process. An application will be reviewed by the Board and a smaller number will be asked for additional information, often including a site visit.
Funding Priorities
General Operating Support -General operating support provides unrestricted funding to help support and maintain an organization as it pursues its mission. Core support is integral for nonprofits sustainability, impact, and growth. This type of grant is flexible and gives the grantee the ability to use the funds where they are most appropriate. While general operating support continues to remain relatively scarce among the nation’s largest grantmakers, we feel it is important and necessary to grant to nonprofits. We feel that it signals trust between the funder and the grantee without sacrificing accountability.Animals and the Natural World -Animals, water, air and land are crucial to our lives yet are often vulnerable to the actions of humans. The James A. & Faith Knight Foundation desires to sustain the natural world that is so important to our quality of life. We invest in programs that:respect and enhance the care of animals,
protect the diversity and integrity of ecosystems, and
educate citizens about the importance of ecological communities.Women and Girls -A better future for women and girls is a better future for all. We feel that programs that understand and specifically serve the needs of women and girls have the best chance to improve communities. In addition, national studies have found that less than 7% of the philanthropic dollar goes to programs that are focused on women and girls. For these reasons, we fund programs that:increase economic self-sufficiency for women and girls,
effect public policy and advocacy in support of women and girls, and

Eligibility

In general, the foundation supports organizations that believe in good nonprofit practices including sound financial management, developed governance practices, and clarity of mission. Attention to gender, diversity, and outcomes are important.

Ineligibility

The Foundation does not make grants:

• to annual appeal campaigns
• ;to religious activities;
• to political campaigns;
• to individuals.