Knight Foundation: Journalism Grant Program

Overview

_NOTE: As part of our ongoing effort to improve how we support our grantee partners and communities, we are pausing our Letter of Inquiry (LOI) process. During this period, Knight Foundation will not be accepting unsolicited proposals for new funding opportunities. We anticipate unveiling a refreshed process in spring 2025._**
Our Mission**

Knight Foundation is a national foundation with strong local roots. We invest in journalism, in the arts, and in the success of cities where brothers John S. and James L. Knight once published newspapers. Our goal is to foster informed and engaged communities, which we believe are essential for a healthy democracy.

Program Area: Journalism

Building a sustainable future for local news.

What We Fund

Our objective is to foster the expansion of news organizations for sustained growth. We envision a future defined by revenue diversification, market expansion, strategic partnerships and innovative product development, all contributing to financial stability and ongoing success. To shape a thriving journalism landscape, we also emphasize technology that facilitates community engagement with journalists to drive positive change in local contexts.

Key Areas

Our investments are geared towards solutions. At present, Knight is focusing on four key areas that align with our strategy.

* Sustainability and Revenue Development: Knight’s overarching goal is driving the business sustainability of independent publishers. To do that, we need more revenue solutions and business innovation to ensure sustainable models. We seek fresh ideas to diversify revenue streams, lower operational costs, scale successful pilots across communities and catalyze repeatable models for producing and distributing news and information. Reaching sustainability provides newsrooms the independence they need to most effectively serve their communities.
* Strengthening Talent and Leadership: The success of newsrooms relies on the skills, expertise and collaborative culture of the individuals who work within them. Our talent and leadership efforts encompass several key goals, including attracting and retaining top talent, fostering an inclusive and equitable workforce and promoting a culture of innovation, creativity and continuous learning. It also involves providing comprehensive training and development opportunities to empower journalists to thrive in their roles. By prioritizing talent acquisition and cultivating strong and diverse leadership, news organizations can build a dynamic and resilient workforce that is a core component to any successful newsroom.
* Technology and Product Innovation: The pace of technological innovation continues to accelerate, and keeping up with these changes has been a struggle for local journalism. But, to meet people where they are, news organizations must fully embrace and integrate new technologies. That’s why Knight supports key areas currently driving change, such as artificial intelligence for producing more quality journalism, visuals as essential storytelling elements and data’s power for compelling narratives. We’re looking to identify the places and programs where these technologies can shine. 
* First Amendment and Journalist Safety: Safeguarding journalists is pivotal for upholding a free press. Knight’s commitment extends to shielding journalists from legal and physical threats. We recognize the paramount importance of legal services in preserving press freedom and nurturing sustainable local news endeavors. Our support encompasses organizations offering litigation aid, assistance with Freedom of Information Act requests, pre-publication review, entity establishment, intellectual property protection and business operations. Additionally, while journalists ideally operate without fear of physical harm, this isn’t the reality in many regions. We stand by those facing such threats, backing organizations that provide support.

Our values align closely with the First Amendment’s core tenets of press freedom and free speech. We’re dedicated to exploring innovative approaches that uphold these fundamental rights while actively ensuring a secure environment for journalists to pursue their vital work.

Eligibility

_You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website._

* We accept applications from all types of entities including but not limited to nonprofits, companies, and individuals.
* We primarily fund U.S.-based organizations.

Ineligibility

* Knight Foundation's Board of Trustees prefer not to fund:

* Requests for support of fundraising events.
* Requests to cover operating deficits.
* Charities operated by service clubs.
* Activities that are normally the responsibility of government (The foundation will, in selective cases, partner with government in supporting special projects.).
* Medical research; organizations or projects whose mission is to prevent, eradicate or alleviate the effects of a specific disease; requests from hospitals (unless they are for community-wide capital campaigns with a stated goal and beginning and ending dates, or for specific projects that meet foundation goals).
* Activities to propagate a religious faith or that are restricted to one religion or denomination; support of political candidates; memorials.
* International programs and organizations, except U.S.-based organizations supporting a free press around the world.
* A second request for a capital campaign for which the foundation previously approved a grant.
* Conferences; group travel; honoraria for distinguished guests—except in initiatives of the foundation in all three cases.
* The board and program staff remain open to ideas and opportunities and will exercise flexibility when needed.

* We do not pay indirect administrative fees to grantee organizations.

* We may make exceptions if you are providing a necessary service directly related to the grant.
* Based on the recommendation of program staff, on an case-by-case basis, we will consider indirect fee payments of up to 10 percent of a proposed grant.