Knight Foundation Advised Fund Grant

The Knight Foundation Advised Fund supports innovative projects that enhance democracy and community engagement in Columbia, SC. With grant amounts typically not exceeding $75,000, it focuses on revitalizing downtown areas and riverfront development. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) charities or similar entities serving Columbia or Richland County. The foundation prioritizes civic engagement, smart design, and the arts to foster inclusive public life, while avoiding funding for debt reduction, capital campaigns, or projects with discriminatory practices.

NOTE: Applications are accepted by invitation-only throughout the year. Interested organizations should first contact the Community Foundation to discuss their project and determine eligibility. If invited to submit a proposal, the Community Foundation will work with potential grantees to submit an application to Knight Foundation. If your organization has an innovative project in mind that fits Knight’s funding priorities, please contact to discuss further.
At a Glance
The Knight Foundation supports democracy in America by fostering informed, engaged, and equitable communities. The foundation invests in journalism, arts and culture in community, research in areas of media and democracy, and in the success of 26 cities and towns where John S. and James L. Knight once published newspapers. In 18 communities, the Foundation has endowments in the local community foundation and serves as the donor advisor, this includes Central Carolina Community Foundation.
We view local community foundations as both important partners in sourcing ideas for our strategic grantmaking, and leaders and conveners in each Knight community. We seek to be a funder of opportunities for the future of each community and seek to build upon local momentum, assets, and resources – often focused geographically in the downtown core. We are open to prototyping new ideas and investing risk capital to support local leaders and organizations.
Columbia Focus
A more vibrant, equitable and inclusive public life and riverfront.
What We Fund
Knight supports Columbia’s work in revitalizing its downtown and riverfront development to attract and retain talented people and accelerate economic opportunity.
Tactics Leveraged:
Building on Assets: better connecting the community to key assets like universities, corporations, or nature.Public Spaces: enhancing the public realm to be more connected and vibrant.Civic Engagement: breaking down barriers between residents and decision makers; engaging underrepresented communities in civic life and leadership roles.
Funding
Grant amounts range, but are not typically more than $75,000.

Eligibility

Organizations must be determined a charitable organization in good standing under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, public entities or other charitable, educational or faith-based organizations.Organizations must provide services in the city of Columbia or Richland County.

Ineligibility

This Grant Will Not FundFundraising projectsDebt reductionEndowment development or capital campaignsMedical researchSponsorships