Knight Foundation News Releases

National Trust Loan Fund Launches $5 Million Fund To Develop Affordable Housing

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 06:00:00 EDT

WASHINGTON, DC (August 25, 2008) - The National Trust Loan Fund (NTLF) today announced the creation of a $5 million loan pool to help develop affordable housing in cities across the country. The National Trust for Historic Preservation promotes community development in older and historic neighborhoods.

Silicon Valley Education Foundation Launches $3 Million Initiative to Boost Student Achievement in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 06:00:00 EDT

The Silicon Valley Education Foundation (SVEF) today officially launched its $3 million campaign to boost student achievement in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, known as the Silicon Valley STEM Initiative. The launch was announced at tech firm Flextronics in Milpitas, one of the Initiative’s key supporters. SVEF has already received a $1.7 million grant from the Knight Foundation toward the $3 million goal, and is working with Silicon Valley companies, educators, and civic leaders to improve STEM learning in Valley classrooms.

Online Mentors to Aid Digital Contest Hopefuls

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 06:30:00 EDT

Fifty coaches are standing by online to help innovative thinkers apply for the Knight News Challenge, a $5 million-a-year contest to move journalism into the 21st Century. The coaches — made up of past jurors and winners — will give News Challenge hopefuls a better chance of winning up to $5 million in prizes annually

J-Lab Moves to American University; Draws $2.4m Grant from Knight Foundation

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 07:00:00 EDT

J-Lab: The Institute for Interactive Journalism has moved to American University’s School of Communication, where it will expand its operations with the help of a $2.4 million grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to American University

Young Bloggers and Online News Users are Better Informed On First Amendment Rights, Authors Find

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 07:00:00 EDT

igh school students who blog, who read online news sources and who chat online regularly are more likely to understand and support their First Amendment rights, according to a new book based on the largest survey conducted on the subject.

Media Impact on Information Needs and Democratic Values to be Examined by Knight Commission and Aspen Institute

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 06:00:00 EDT

The Annual Aspen Institute Forum on Communications and Society will be held in conjunction with the second meeting of the Knight Commission on the Information Needs of Communities in a Democracy.

Central Carolina Community Foundation Presents Midlands Housing Alliance with $500,000 to Fund Homeless Transition Center

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:55:00 EDT

The Central Carolina Community Foundation (CCCF), a nonprofit corporation that empowers donors to make effective charitable giving decisions by linking them to different areas of community need, announces its donation of $500,000 to the Midlands Housing Alliance to fund the Homeless Transition Center that is planned for the current Salvation Army site in downtown Columbia.

Poynter Receives Boost to Transform Journalism Education Through E-Learning

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 06:30:00 EDT

The Poynter Institute announced today that it will use a $1.4 million, five-year grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to help transform journalism education by expanding the world’s most successful and innovative journalism e-learning site. Launched in 2005 with a prior Knight Foundation grant, NewsU provides interactive, inexpensive courses to journalists at all levels of experience and in all types of media.

Expansion of Carnegie-Knight Initiative Seeks to Transform Journalism Education in U.S.

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 06:30:00 EDT

Seeking to change the way journalism is taught in the United States, Carnegie Corporation of New York and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation are investing more than $11 million in the expansion of a national initiative to adapt journalism education to the challenges of a struggling news industry. Three new journalism schools are joining the effort of redefining journalism education and training a new generation of journalists capable of reshaping the news industry.

Knight Nonprofit Center Announced in Biloxi, Miss.

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 09:00:00 EDT

Community and business leaders gathered today for a ceremony that announced the official naming of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Nonprofit Center. Named in recognition of the organization’s generous contribution to the purchase of the facility, the building on Seaway Road is jointly owned by United Way of South Mississippi, Coast Chamber of Commerce, Gulf Coast Community Foundation and the Gulf Coast Business Council.

$5 Million Challenge Grant from Knight Foundation Helps Start Effort to End Homelessness in Columbia, S.C.

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 06:30:00 EDT

Columbia, S.C.'s bold step to end homelessness by launching a comprehensive housing and services program has received a major jump-start with a $5 million challenge grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

Knight Foundation and Opportunity Fund Launch Innovative “Saving for Citizenship” Program

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:00:00 EDT

A $1.85 million grant by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation will help Opportunity Fund launch Saving for Citizenship—a new program that will help 500 low-income legal immigrants in Silicon Valley save money to apply for naturalization and become US citizens.

New Knight Initiative Seeks to Address Local Information Needs Engaging Community Foundations

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 06:05:00 EDT

A $24 million initiative by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation will engage community foundations in a grant-making challenge to find creative uses of media and technology to help keep communities informed and their citizens engaged.

FAQ: What's the Knight Community Information Challenge?

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Knight Foundation has 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 their affairs and address opportunities.

Knight Commission Announces Full Membership; Gears Up for Initial Meeting

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:40:00 EDT

Fifteen cross-sector leaders from diverse backgrounds have accepted invitations to serve on the newly formed Knight Commission on the Information Needs of Communities in a Democracy.

New Initiative Will Harness Cross-Sector Leadership To Advance Common Good In Silicon Valley with $1.5 Million Investment

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 09:00:00 EDT

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and American Leadership Forum-Silicon Valley (ALF) today announced a partnership to create a Common Good Collaborative in Silicon Valley.

Knight Foundation's Media Innovation Strategy

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The text below is an edited version of a speech by Knight Foundation president Alberto Ibargüen delivered to a group of journalism educators, business, non-profit and media leaders at the Boston Foundation on Thursday, June 10, 2008.

Speech: 'The Future of News' by Journalism Program VP Eric Newton

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:10:00 EDT

Eric Newton, Knight Foundation’s Journalism Program vice president, received the 2008 Dewitt Carter Reddick Award from the University of Texas at Austin for “outstanding professional achievement in the field of communication.” This is the text of “The Future of News” -- remarks presented April 12 by Newton at the College of Communication Honors Convocation.

New Approach to Funding Arts Ideas Produces Wide Range of Projects

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 06:00:00 EDT

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation today announced the finalists in an experimental arts contest designed to help transform the South Florida Community.

Twelve U.S. journalists win Knight Fellowships to study at Stanford in 2008-09

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 10:40:00 EDT

Twelve U.S. journalists have been awarded John S. Knight Fellowships to study at Stanford during the 2008-09 academic year. During their stay at Stanford, the Knight Fellows will pursue independent courses of study and participate in special seminars. The 2008-09 program marks the 43rd year that Stanford has offered fellowships for professional journalists.

New Bradenton Cultural Alliance Will Pursue Arts as Economic Catalyst

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 11:05:00 EDT

An alliance of local partners today announced a new effort to strengthen the local economy and transform downtown Bradenton and Manatee County into an exciting cultural destination.

Belarus' Pioneering Editor and Ugandan Human Rights Reporter Named 2008 Knight International Journalism Award Winners

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 10:50:00 EDT

The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) announced that Belarus editor and free-press champion Aliaksei Karol and Ugandan human rights reporter Frank Nyakairu are the winners of the 2008 Knight International Journalism Award. They will be honored along with Founders Award recipient John F. Burns of The New York Times at the annual ICFJ Awards Dinner at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, DC, on November 12.

CNN.com Wins the Knight News Innovation EPpy Award

Thu, 15 May 2008 14:25:00 EDT

CNN.com today accepted the Knight News Innovation EPpy for its interactive, international, engaging and effective web site. The award, announced as part of the EPpy Awards ceremony at the Interactive Media Conference & Tradeshow, is sponsored by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

Knight News Challenge 2008 Winners Announced Today at E&P/Mediaweek Interactive Media Conference

Wed, 14 May 2008 05:00:00 EDT

Sixteen ideas to fund innovative digital projects around the world were awarded $5.5 million dollars today from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Sir Tim Berners-Lee, who invented the World Wide Web, will accept one of the awards for a project that will create a technology to give users more information about the origins and sourcing of digital content.

Foundation Support Grows to Build Workforce Skills and Prosperity for Low-wage Earners

Wed, 07 May 2008 11:00:00 EDT

The Council on Foundations' 2008 Philanthropy Summit today highlighted programs of the National Fund for Workforce Solutions (NFWS) as emblematic of successful approaches to workforce development. The recognition came as new support was announced to broaden the impact of NFWS programs in urban and rural communities nationwide.

Kristen Taylor Joins Knight Foundation
As Online Community Manager

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EDT

Miami, Fla. - Kristen Taylor, a specialist in social media, has joined the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation in a new position: online community manager.

Knight Foundation backs WNYC and PRI's The Takeaway with John Hockenberry and Adaora Udoji

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 07:10:00 EDT

The Takeaway with John Hockenberry and Adaora Udoji, an innovative new national news program for morning drive time, gears up for its April 28 debut on public radio with $2 million in lead foundation support to WNYC from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

First Year of Knight Arts Partnership Community Challenge Closes With More Than 1,600 Ideas for Local Arts Projects

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation announced today that the first-year round of the Knight Arts Partnership community challenge closed early this morning after a two-month open enrollment period. Of the 1,622 ideas received at www.KnightArts.org most came from individuals, not from organizations.

Speech: Remarks by Alberto Ibargüen on the Opening of the Newseum

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:45:00 EDT

Welcome to the Newseum.

On behalf of the trustees you met a few minutes ago, it is my privilege to welcome you and to invite you to you use this house, to treat it as your own and to invite your friends and fellow citizens of the world to revel in this celebration of freedom.

On behalf of the trustees, it is also my privilege to acknowledge the vision and courage of Al Neuharth, the know-how and tenacity of Charles Overby, Peter Prichard, Joe Urchel and the team they put together to work with Jim Polcheck, Ralph Applebaum and others to build this living monument to free expression.

Knight Foundation Grants Duluth LISC $500,000

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 07:00:00 EDT

Duluth LISC today announced that a $500,000 grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation will make five Duluth neighborhoods significant participants in a national effort to involve residents in long-term planning physical improvements and comprehensive community development.