Knight Fund Grant Program

Funder: Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks, and Region

The Knight Fund Grant Program, managed by the Community Foundation of Grand Forks, aims to enhance connections between the University of North Dakota and the Downtown area through the University Avenue Corridor. This initiative focuses on improving community engagement, enhancing public spaces, and building on local assets to foster economic mobility and entrepreneurship. The fund specifically targets projects that unite diverse communities and support civic infrastructure, while excluding certain non-program expenses and individual applications.

Background
The Knight Donor-Advised Fund supports the success of the Grand Forks community through investments that attract, retain, and harness talent; expand opportunity by increasing entrepreneurship and economic mobility; and support civic infrastructure to accelerate the growth of ideas and bring people from diverse social and economic backgrounds together. The current strategic focus connecting the University of North Dakota campus community and Downtown Grand Forks through the University Avenue Corridor.
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, including Grand Forks, Knight Foundation has endowments in the local community foundation and serves as the donor-advisor.
Grant Focus
​Knight's current strategic focus in Grand Forks is on connecting the University of North Dakota campus community and Downtown Grand Forks through the University Avenue Corridor. This work may include:

• 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.

Ineligibility

​Applications are not considered for the following, unless otherwise noted:Non-program operating expenses in excess of 10% of the total grant requestIndividualsAnnual appealsMembership drivesEndowments or capital campaignsReligious organizations for religious purposesProjects of organizations with discriminatory employment or program practices​