Communities – Knight Foundation

Program Area: Communities

8 80 Cities announces the launch of a new round of applications for the 2025 Knight Emerging City Champions Fellowship program to support young civic innovators with bold ideas to transform their communities

TORONTO – 8 80 Cities is excited to announce that applications are now open for the 2025-26 Knight Emerging City Champions (KECC) fellowship and micro-grant program, funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. The program invites young civic innovators, ages 18-35, who are passionate about driving transformative change in Knight Foundation’s eight resident communities to apply. This is a unique opportunity to receive funding and build leadership skills while contributing to meaningful, creative solutions for local challenges.

 “As we open applications for the next KECC cohort, Knight Foundation is eager to support a new group of rising civic leaders ready to turn their creative ideas into action—and join a growing network of community leaders transforming Knight cities from the ground up.” Kelly Jin, Chief of Staff to the President & CEO and Vice President of Communities, Knight Foundation

The program seeks creative young leaders with bold ideas that strengthen trust and community connection, foster creative expression and build local resilience. The KECC program is now accepting applications for 20 new leaders for the 2025-2026 program. 

Twenty successful applicants will receive $5,000 in seed funding and a $500 tech grant to help implement their project idea, ongoing virtual training, technical support from 8 80 Cities and access to a national network of creative urbanists. The program will run from August 2025 to August 2026.

The KECC program was created to support and better equip emerging leaders with the resources and training to turn their ideas into action. This will be the eighth cohort of KECC. Since its inception in 2015, the program has helped catalyze more than 130 public space and civic engagement projects in communities across eight Knight cities. Projects have ranged from beehives and jukeboxes to mentorship programs and gamified co-design tools.

“Over the years, KECC has supported more than 130 young civic innovators who have transformed their communities in powerful ways.  We are excited to see what kind of community-led solutions and ideas we will see this year. This cohort will join a growing network of champions, placemakers, grassroots leaders, and civic tech experts who can assist with project implementation.” Amanda O’Rourke, Executive Director, 8 80 Cities.

The program is accepting applications from residents aged 18-35 from the following cities: Akron, OH; Charlotte, NC; Detroit, MI; Macon, GA; Miami, FL; Philadelphia, PA; San Jose, CA; and St. Paul, MN. 

“KECC was an absolutely incredible experience that brought my vision to life! What started as a rough idea became a clear, impactful reality thanks to the support, knowledge and guidance from 8 80 Cities and their amazing team. The connections I made with the other fellows were just as powerful—many of whom I still collaborate with today. Fast forward a few years, and On The Move Art Studio is thriving, bringing quality arts education to over 70,000 children. None of this would have been possible without KECC, and I’m forever grateful!” – Josh Nadzam, 2017 Alumni

The program will kick off in August 2025, with an in-person experience in Toronto. The studio includes presentations, workshops and city tours that feature inspiring grassroots community advocates and city leaders. 

KECC is powered by 8 80 Cities, a nonprofit organization with a mission to ignite action and challenge the status quo to create healthier, more equitable and sustainable cities for all people. To apply to the Knight Emerging City Champions fellowship, applicants must submit their ideas at www.emergingcitychampions.org by May 28, 2025, 11:59 pm EDT (8:59 pm PST).

ST. PAUL – The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation announced the appointment of Charlene Bradley as Director in St. Paul. A seasoned corporate executive with over 20 years of experience in organizational development, change management and operational strategy, Bradley brings a deep expertise in driving sustainable business growth. Since 2000, Knight Foundation has invested more than $50 million in St. Paul, focusing on downtown revitalization and supporting local entrepreneurship.

A St. Paul native, Bradley previously held senior leadership roles at Target Corporation, where she spearheaded initiatives to strengthen community connections and support local development. During her tenure at Thomson Reuters, she led technology-driven efforts to optimize business operations, driving efficiency and enhancing internal collaboration. Her dedication to service and commitment to building meaningful partnerships have been evident throughout her career, and her customer-focused approach to investment will shape Knight’s work in St. Paul.

“Charlene brings a rare blend of strategic vision, operational excellence and deep community understanding,” said Kelly Jin, Knight Foundation’s Chief of Staff and Vice President for Communities. “Her leadership reflects the kind of thoughtful, locally grounded approach we believe drives lasting change. I’m thrilled to see what her partnership with the community will unlock.”

Recently in St. Paul, Knight Foundation has invested $1,000,000 in ReConnect Rondo, growing community engagement efforts and organizational capacity to revitalize the historic Rondo community. Knight Foundation has also supported the Greater River Passage Conservancy’s plan to activate and reconnect the Mississippi waterfront with downtown and the St. Paul Downtown Alliance to establish a downtown development corporation.

Reflecting on her new role at Knight Foundation, Bradley shared her excitement: “St. Paul is a city rich with history, culture and community spirit. I am eager to collaborate with local partners and residents to amplify the ideas and initiatives that make our community stronger and more connected.”

Bradley emphasized that her approach will focus on fostering meaningful partnerships and leveraging local insights to create sustainable impact. “I believe that listening to community voices and building on existing strengths are key to making a lasting difference. I’m committed to ensuring that our efforts reflect the aspirations of St. Paul’s residents,” she added.

About Knight Foundation

We are social investors who support a more effective democracy by funding free expression and journalism, arts and culture in community, research in areas of media and democracy, and the success of American cities and towns where the Knight brothers once published newspapers.

To support travel expenses for 2025 fellows at the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy.

To support the planning and launch ofactivities in The Together Project movement.