Knight Foundation launches $5 million 'Knight Cities Challenge'
Have a bright idea to make Columbus a better place to live? It could earn you a slice of $5 million in grant money the Knight Foundation is offering.
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation announced today a $5 million Knight Cities Challenge which will help finance ideas that “make your city more successful.” The challenge, which runs from Oct. 1 through Nov. 14, is open to architects, activists, artists, city planners, entrepreneurs, students, educators, city officials, as well as governments and organizations.
“We are looking for ideas from innovators who will take hold of the future of our cities,” said Carol Coletta, Knight Foundation vice president for community and national initiatives. “To succeed cities need talented people who can contribute to their growth, new opportunities that are open to all, and ways to engage people to spur connections and civic action.”
Betsy Covington, president of the Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley and the local liaison to the Knight Foundation, announced the challenge locally this morning at Columbus Council’s work session.
“This is a contest that anyone in the community can enter. You can enter multiple times,” Covington said. “Knight is looking for big ideas, fresh ideas that can largely be implemented in about a year.”
Covington said the ideas should focus on one or more of three areas:
Attracting and keeping talented people.
Creating economic opportunities and breaking down divides.
Spurring connection and civic involvement.
“We’re really hoping to hear from civic innovators who are ready to take hold of our cities’ futures,” Coletta said. “Go ahead and submit your idea. We really do want to hear it.”
Mayor Teresa Tomlinson said she welcomed the news of the challenge and encourages citizens to come forward with their ideas.
“What a phenomenal challenge,” Tomlinson said. “I hope Columbus has the most applications of any of the 26 Knight cities. I know we have the most innovative citizens, so I look forward to Columbus landing the most grant approvals.”
The Miami-based Knight Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the family that started Knight Newspapers, which later became Knight-Ridder, which owned the Ledger-Enquirer until The McClatchy Company bought the corporation in 2006.The Knight Foundation gives out about $110 million in grants a year to entities in 26 “Knight cities,” cities in which Knight-Ridder operated newspapers. In Georgia, Macon and Milledgeville are the other two Knight cities.
This story was originally published September 16, 2014 at 12:34 PM with the headline "Knight Foundation launches $5 million 'Knight Cities Challenge'."