Facts, Questions & Answers

What’s the Knight Community Information Challenge? In 2008, Knight Foundation launched a five-year, $24 million initiative aimed at encouraging community foundations to embrace information as a core community need. It challenges community foundations to grasp the depth and pace of the change the media world is undergoing, and to take account of how this affects a community’s ability to manage its’ affairs and address opportunities. The Challenge encourages experimentation, involvement in forms of new media and technology, and civic leadership. A match is required. The Challenge also includes targeted support through a “circuit rider” project, and a second Media Learning Seminar to be held in Miami in 2009. February-2009, begins the second year of this challenge.

Who qualifies to apply? It is open to all U.S. community foundations. It is also open to geographically oriented foundations that have a place-based focus similar to a community foundation.

We’re not a community foundation. How do we know if we qualify to apply? The Challenge encourages foundations with a clear place-based focus in whole or in part to apply. Consider that community foundations are set up to meet core needs of communities. If your foundation does the same, we want to get your proposal.

How does the Challenge work? Between February 23 and March 20, 2009, organizations interested in applying should go to www.informationneeds.org. You will be asked to propose a project in 250 characters (this includes letters, symbols and spaces) or less. Foundations selected to submit full proposals will be notified no later than March 25. Full proposals are due April 20, 2009.

What are you not looking for? This Challenge is not about helping community foundations improve their media relations, or expand their own web sites or better market themselves, important though these might be.

Is there a matching requirement? Yes. We believe it is critical that the community foundation join in the funding of a project. If information is to be viewed as a core community need, then a matching donation from the community foundation is a key component of the Knight Challenge. While we recognize the important of office space and staff time, they are not considered as a part of the match.

At which point must the funding match be made? Generally, we will pay out our portion of the challenge grant once you have demonstrated that your foundation is committed as well.

Is it always a $1 to $1 match? Under rare circumstances we would consider a different match where we’ll match at a higher level.

You told us what you are not looking for. Help us understand what you are looking for. We are looking for ideas that address the information needs in your community. We cannot know what those are nor can we prescribe a general “cure” that fits all. We look to you, the community foundation, to identify and amplify what that information need is in your community.

What are the circuit riders? They will be a team of specialists who will be available to assist community foundations in understanding the local media “ecology,” to analyze where there are opportunities to address information needs, and to suggest possible courses of action. They will not help you write your proposal but they can help anticipate and surmount challenges ahead of time.

How do we apply for circuit rider services? Details are available on www.informationneeds.org under the Resources tab.

Can our idea include administrative funds to help our foundation understand the new media universe? Yes. We know that many foundations do not have deep expertise in this area. As you construct your proposal, you can include funds to address this issue – but of course that is only a means to an end, and it is the end that the Challenge is about.

When and where is the 2009 Media Learning Seminar? It will be Feb. 16-17 in Miami, co-sponsored by the Council on Foundations. Click on the link https://www.SignUp4.net/Public/ap.aspx?EID=INFO11E to register.

Will it be along the lines of the 2008 seminar? No, this seminar will be aimed at reviewing what is now going on in the field and sharing best practices. Those who attended in 2008 will find the 2009 seminar distinctly different and beneficial. If you did not come in 2008, you will be brought up to speed in 2009. If you want to see the 2008 program and presentations, you will find them posted on www.informationneeds.org. The agenda for the 2009 seminar is also available.

What’s the difference between the application and a "full proposal?" The application gives us enough summary information to understand your idea. If we feel it matches the intent of the initiative, we will invite you to write a more detailed proposal.

Do you really mean just 250 characters? Yes, we do. Our system will be set up with that limit. Please remember, a character is a symbol, a letter or a space when calculating 250 characters.

Who reviews my entry? Knight staff, augmented by outside reviewers. Final decisions lie with the foundation’s board of trustees

When will the second round of winners be announced? Winners will be notified in early June 2009. Public announcement of the winners will be made shortly thereafter.

Where may I learn more about the first round winners? First round winners will be on www.informationneeds.org and on www.knightpulse.org/projects after February 17th.

Who do I contact if I have questions? Marcia Brod can be reached at Knight Foundation: 305.908.2624 or via this email form.