John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation was established in 1950 as a private foundation independent of the Knight brothers' newspaper enterprises. It is dedicated to furthering their ideals of service to community, to the highest standards of journalistic excellence and to the defense of a free press.

In both their publishing and philanthropic undertakings, the Knight brothers shared a broad vision and uncommon devotion to the common welfare. It is those ideals, as well as their philanthropic interests, to which the foundation remains faithful.

To heighten the impact of its grant making, Knight Foundation focuses on two main funding programs, Journalism Initiatives and Community Partners, each with its own eligibility requirements. A third program, the National Venture Fund, nurtures innovation, leadership and experimentation for community investments that might benefit Knight communities.

Knight Foundation's Community Partners Program makes grants according to six funding priorities in these 26 communities: Aberdeen, S.D.; Akron, Ohio; Biloxi, Miss.; Boulder, Colo.; Bradenton, Fla.; Charlotte, N.C.; Columbus, Ga.; Columbia, S.C.; Detroit, Mich.; Duluth, Minn.; Fort Wayne, Ind.; Gary, Ind.; Grand Forks, N.D.; Lexington, Ky.; Long Beach, Calif.; Macon, Ga.; Millegeville, Ga.; Miami-Dade and Broward, Fla.; Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Palm Beach County, Fla.; Philadelphia, Pa.; San Jose, Calif.; St. Paul, Minn.; State College, Pa.; Tallahassee, Fla.; and Wichita, Kan.

The foundation's Journalism Initiatives program makes grants in five priority areas: News and Newsroom Diversity; Electronic and New Media; Journalism Education and Training; Freedom of Information and First Amendment; and News in the Public Interest.

To apply for a grant, Knight Foundation asks that non-profit and educational organizations registered in the United States start with a letter of inquiry. Visit www.knightfdn.org for more information.