2013 Knight Community Information Challenge from Knight Foundation

Update: The challenge deadline has been extended to July 1, 2013

As folks prepare their applications for the Knight Community Information Challenge, we wanted to share the answers to a few questions we’ve been getting from potential applicants.

Here are five essential things to know about the challenge, which offers matching funding to community and place-based foundations supporting news and information projects:

1) The challenge continues to be an open call for all types of news and information ideas: We firmly believe that community foundations know their local information needs best, and should propose their own answers to help fill the gaps. This year, we are encouraging foundations to explore Open Government projects, which will be given priority in the judging. However, all types of media projects are eligible for challenge funding.

2) Our definition of Open Government is broad: We are looking for projects that help improve the relationship between people and their governments. That encompases a range of projects, from those that make government data more understandable and actionable to ways to use technology to increase participation in local issues. A few examples: A data project by the Chicago Community Trust uses data to help parents understand school closings. And in the past, Knight has funded a tool that uses text messaging to gather input on public issues, and another that makes it easy for communities to gather survey data on local issues. The goal is to get people informed and engaged in local issues.  

3) Community and place-based foundations must be the applicant for challenge funds: Partnerships are important, expected and helpful. In the end though, the challenge is here to help local funders make an impact on local issues by meeting this important community need. If you have a news and information project and are looking for a partner for the challenge, the Council on Foundations has a list of community foundations. Place-based foundations are private funders that have a specific, geographic focus. The Foundation Center offers a directory of private foundations.

4) The community foundation doesn’t have to implement the project itself: Challenge winners have been as varied as the communities that apply for the funding. In some cases, the foundation is leading the project. In others, the foundation provides funds and advice but partners with a nonprofit, university or technical partner to do the day-to-day management.   

5) You don’t have to create a new tech platform to be successful: Projects can purchase existing technology, adapt an open source platform to fit local needs, or create their own if that’s what is best.  If you need help deciding on what kind of technology to use, our Circuit Riders are available to provide guidance.

Our challenge site, informationneeds.org, has much more information and a link to our FAQ. Please don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected] with questions.

We look forward to reading your applications.

By Susan Patterson, program director/Charlotte at Knight Foundation and Bahia Ramos, director/community foundations at Knight Foundation