FAQ: For Innovators

Note: also see FAQ for Foundations/Funders
You may be able to seek funding for your project by partnering with your local place-based foundation and applying for a grant through the Knight Community Information Challenge. Read on to discover how.

Q. What is Knight Foundation?
A. The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation invests in journalism excellence worldwide and the U.S. communities where the Knight brothers owned newspapers. Since 1950, Knight Foundation has invested more than $400 million to advance quality journalism and freedom of expression. It focuses on projects to create transformational change. For more, visit www.knightfoundation.org.
Q. What’s the Knight Community Information Challenge?
A. This challenge is a five-year, $24 million effort to help place-based foundations meet local information needs by finding creative ways to use new media and technology to engage and inform citizens. The challenge, a matching grant program, is premised on two strongly held beliefs: 1) in a democracy, information is essential for a community to function properly, it is a core community need; 2) since place-based foundations are formed to meet core community needs, they are logical partners in meeting the information needs of communities. The challenge is part of Knight Foundation's Media Innovation Initiative launched to help communities meet their information needs. The multi-faceted approach addresses media innovation on several levels, including national media policy, technology innovation and the evolution of the World Wide Web.
For more information on why the challenge was created, click here. For more information on Knight's Media Innovation Initiative, click here.
Q. Who can enter?
A. Applications must be submitted by a place-based foundation located in the U.S., though outside partners (like you or your group) can be listed.
Q. What if there is not a community foundation in my area?
A. Geographically oriented foundations that have a place-based focus similar to a community foundation also will be considered.
Q. What are you looking for?
A. Knight is looking for projects that help fill community information needs, foster community engagement and help residents participate in the creation and sharing of news and information. Take a look at our 2008 winners to see what piqued our interest. We are not wedded though to any model of delivering news and information. The project does not have to be Web-based. We are looking for new models that can be replicated in other cities and towns.
Q. What are you not looking for?
A. This challenge is not about helping foundations improve their media relations and marketing, or expand their own Web sites, important though these might be.
Q. How is this contest different from the Knight News Challenge?
A. The Knight News Challenge is a worldwide contest that looks for innovative ideas that develop new platforms, tools and services to inform and transform community news. In the Knight Community Information Challenge, which is U.S. based, innovation is encouraged but not required. Also, all Community Information Challenge applications must be submitted by a place-based foundation. For more information on the Knight News Challenge, visit newschallenge.org.
Q. How do we approach our place-based foundation?
A. Contact the foundation president or a foundation program officer. Let them know that a) Knight Foundation has a matching grant program to help community foundations get involved in funding news and information projects; b) The program is premised on the belief that information is a core community need, and since community foundations are formed to meet core community needs, they are logical partners in funding information projects; c) you have an idea that can help fill an information need in your community, and would like to form a partnership.
Q. We have approached our place-based foundation with the beginnings of an idea, but would like some help thinking through it. Can Knight Foundation assist?
A. Yes. The challenge has two "circuit riders" to assist applicants and grantees. They help place-based foundations understand the local media “ecology”, analyze opportunities to address information needs and suggest possible courses of action. They will not help you write your proposal but they can help anticipate and surmount challenges ahead of time. More information on how to request a circuit rider and who is eligible, is here.
Q. When will applications be accepted?
A. The application period will open February 1, 2010. The application deadline is March 8th.  Sign up for updates via e-mail alerts using the box at right.
Q. What is the application process like?
A. The short, initial application will be posted at informationneeds.org and must be completed online. If we like your idea, we'll invite you to complete a full proposal.
Q. What’s the difference between the application and a "full proposal?"
A. The application gives us enough summary information to understand your idea. The full proposal is more detailed.
Q. Who reviews my entry?
A. Knight staff, augmented by outside reviewers. Final decisions lie with the foundation’s board of trustees
Q. Is there a matching requirement?
A. Yes, place-based foundations must match Knight's investment.
Q. Is it always a $1 to $1 match?
A. A one to one match is preferred, though we will consider a larger or smaller match depending upon the circumstances.
Q. Can our idea include administrative funds to help our foundation understand the new media universe?
A. Yes. We know that many foundations do not have deep expertise in this area.
Q. When will the third round of winners (those who apply in Feb. 2010) be announced?
A. September 2010.
Q. Where may I learn more about previous winners?
A. Winners are posted on InformationNeeds.org.
Q. Who do I contact if I have questions?
A. Send an email to kcic@knightfoundation.org.