Knight Foundation Commits up to $1 million to Gulf Coast Community Foundation

BILOXI  – The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation announced today that it will invest up to $1 million to foster an “informed, engaged” Biloxi over the next seven years through the Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

The effort is part of Knight Foundation’s $70 million Community Foundation Initiative, which will help deepen Knight Foundation’s focus on ensuring that communities have the information they need to make decisions about their lives.

“Information is an essential community need and community foundations were established to meet core needs,” said Alberto Ibargüen, Knight Foundation’s president and CEO. “They also only exist and thrive because of community engagement and contributions. That makes them ideal partners to help us understand and advance local community engagement, focused on ensuring that these communities have the information they need to manage their affairs in our democracy.”

The new approach will modify how Knight Foundation works in the Biloxi region and other Knight communities. Grant seekers in Biloxi will apply for funding through the Gulf Coast Community Foundation. A new community foundation director in Knight’s Miami headquarters will work with an advisory committee in Biloxi to guide the community foundation on how to use the funds. 

“This renewed and increased partnership affords the Biloxi area additional opportunities to continue to transform the Mississippi Gulf Coast,” said Rich Westfall, president of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation. “Funding will embrace Knight Foundation’s ‘informed and engaged’ community philosophy enabling the Mississippi Gulf Coast to develop sustainable solutions to issues facing our region.”

Nonprofits seeking Knight funding should contact Lisa Schonewitz at the Gulf Coast Community Foundation at 228-897-4841 and ask about Knight Foundation’s donor-advised fund.

“GCCF is honored to have the opportunity to deepen our relationship with the Knight Foundation,” said Greg Cronin, 2010 CCCF board chair. “As we continue to build on our successes achieved after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and continue to strengthen our community, we will continue to work hand-in-hand with Knight Foundation to inform and engage Biloxi for the common good of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.”

“Our goal is to better coordinate and focus our initiatives in the communities where the Knight brothers owned newspapers, and use our resources in the most effective way possible,” said Trabian Shorters, Knight Foundation’s vice president for communities.

Community foundations make contributions to local groups from funds established by individuals, families, businesses and others to address needs in specific geographic areas. These organizations offer a national funder like Knight the benefit of their grassroots grasp of issues. The grants will help community foundations enlarge their donor-advised funds supporting the work of local nonprofits. 

From 2000 to 2007, Knight contributed a total of $69 million to create donor-advised funds at 25 community foundations. At $70 million, this new initiative doubles Knight’s current investment in community foundations.

About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation advances journalism in the digital age and invests in the vitality of communities where the Knight brothers owned newspapers. Knight Foundation focuses on projects that promote informed, engaged communities and lead to transformational change. For more, visit www.knightfoundation.org.

About the Gulf Coast Community Foundation
The Gulf Coast Community Foundation is a non-profit public charity that has been serving the people of South Mississippi since 1989. The Foundation’s primary mission is to increase philanthropy by making grants to worthy causes, providing donor services and promotion and providing leadership in response to the community’s changing needs. The Foundation meets this mission by developing and managing a comprehensive base of funds, totaling almost $32 million dollars. These funds represent an expanding pool of charitable dollars, committed to meeting the needs of the people of South Mississippi. If you are interested in supporting your local community through the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, you can make a donation by calling (228) 897-4841 or by sending donations to GCCF, 11975 Seaway Road, Suite B150, Gulfport, MS 39503.

Contact: Marc Fest, 305-908-2677; [email protected]