MILLEDGEVILLE (APRIL 8, 2010) The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation announced today that it will invest up to $1 million to foster an “informed, engaged” Milledgeville over the next seven years through the Community Foundation of Central Georgia.

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 Milledgeville and other Knight communities. Milledgeville grant seekers will apply for funding through the Community Foundation of Central Georgia. A new community foundation director in Knight’s Miami headquarters will work with an advisory committee in Milledgeville to guide the community foundation on how to use the funds. 

“Knight Foundation is very innovative and is on the leading edge of philanthropy, technology and strategies to improve communities,” said Kathryn Dennis, president of the Community Foundation of Central Georgia. “With this increased financial commitment, the Knight Fund for Milledgeville will be able to provide grants that will foster an informed, engaged community.”

Nonprofits seeking Knight funding should contact Dennis at 478-750-9338 or [email protected] and ask about Knight Foundation’s donor-advised fund.

“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. 

The initial Knight fund was established at the Community Foundation in 1993. 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 Community Foundation of Central Georgia
The Community Foundation of Central Georgia was founded in 1993 by a group of citizens interested in encouraging philanthropy and strengthening communities. Since then, the Foundation has awarded more than $35 million in grants through its donor-advised, unrestricted, designated, field-of-interest, scholarship, and organizational endowment funds. As a local center for philanthropy, the Community Foundation of Central Georgia works with individuals, families, corporations, private foundations, and nonprofit organizations to carry out their charitable objectives and address emerging community issues. It is one of more than 700 community foundations in the country. www.cfcga.org

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