Knight Foundation’s Communities Program engages people and institutions in the transformational issues and opportunities of their time. To do this, we take a long-term view of communities.
We consider the local narrative, spot important long-term trends and opportunities, then invest in the people and institutions in whom we believe can make a difference with a constant eye on innovation and community impact. To find out more visit www.knightfoundation.org
4. Our Approach
Strategy
Foster Informed and Engaged Communities
Method
Support local transformation
Determine local narrative, spot trends, invest, innovate
Results
More active citizenship, more resilient communities
5. KNIGHT FOUNDATION STRATEGY FOR
Akron, Ohio
Attracting and engaging the talent from
within Akron and without as it
continues to transform its economy.
6. KNIGHT FOUNDATION STRATEGY FOR
Charlotte, N.C.
Engaging major institutional leaders
and community members in
transforming schools in the Project Lift
zone.
7. KNIGHT FOUNDATION STRATEGY FOR
Detroit, Mich.
Engaging the community around
young, social entrepreneurs
who are transforming Detroit.
8. KNIGHT FOUNDATION STRATEGY FOR
Miami, Fla.
Helping Miami to become a place
where entrepreneurship and
innovation thrive.
10. KNIGHT FOUNDATION STRATEGY FOR
Philadelphia, Pa.
Engaging the next generation of
Philadelphia’s millennials in economic
evolution of the city.
11. KNIGHT FOUNDATION STRATEGY FOR
St. Paul, Minn.
Engaging the community in the
redevelopment of areas along the
proposed Central Corridor light rail line.
12. KNIGHT FOUNDATION STRATEGY FOR
San Jose, Calif.
Helping Silicon Valley to become best in
the nation at using technology to
engage its residents in civic and
community issues.
13. Themes
Deepening Resident Helping people to directly engage in opportunities that matter to
Engagement them.
Opening Institutions
Helping anchor institutions to inform and engage communities.
for Engagement
Place-making Creating places where engagement thrives.
Technology & Digital Using technology and digital inclusion to facilitate engagement.
Inclusion
14. Conclusion
• National Foundation Rooted in Communities
• All Programs Work in Knight Communities
• Leverage Residents, Place, Institutions, Technology
• Inform and Engage for Local Transformation
Editor's Notes
The Communities Program engages people and institutions in the transformational issues and opportunities of their time. To do this we take a long-term view of communities. We consider the local narrative, spot important long-term trends and opportunities, then invest in the people and institutions in whom we believe can make a difference with a constant eye on innovation and community impact.We concentrate much of our effort in eight cities where we have offices and work in partnership with community foundations for 18 others. The eight resident communities and related opportunities are in:Akron – Attracting and engaging the talent from within Akron and without as it continues to transform its economy.Charlotte – Engaging major institutional leaders and community members in transforming schools in the project lift zone.Detroit – Engaging young entrepreneurs in the transforming different areas of detroit.Macon – Creating a corridor of innovation in and around college hill.Miami – Helping Miami to become a place where entrepeneurship and innovation thrivePhiladelphia – Engaging the next generation of college aged philadelphians in the economic evolution of the citySt. Paul – Engaging the community directly in the redevelopment of areas along the proposed central corridor light rail line.San Jose – Helping silicon valley to become best in the nation at using technology to engage its residents in civic and community issues.Community Foundations Program – helping our community foundations to distinguish themselves as leaders who inform and engage their communities.