Knight Foundation

We’re proud to celebrate Knight Foundation and CEO Maribel Perez Wadsworth on her well-deserved recognition in Forbes’ 50 Over 50: Impact List — honoring women driving meaningful change in policy, philanthropy and civic life. Maribel has long been a force in journalism and public service. Her leadership reflects a deep belief in the power of local news, strong communities and the importance of access to reliable information. At Knight Foundation, she is guiding bold investments that strengthen the foundations of civic trust and cultural vibrancy across our communities. Congratulations to Maribel and all the women who are defining innovation, drive and hope. See the full list here: https://lnkd.in/gyX95568

The 2025–2026 KECC cohort is here! We’re excited to follow each Champion's progress as their project ideas come to life in Knight communities.

Knight Foundation is proud to be the first major philanthropic partner supporting The Together Project, launched by Dr. Vivek Murthy, 19th and 21st U.S. Surgeon General, to address the growing epidemic of loneliness and rebuild America’s social fabric. With Knight Foundation’s support, Dr. Murthy will embark on a national listening tour and series of community engagements aimed at lifting up solutions that foster connection, reduce isolation and build social cohesion. As our President & CEO Maribel Perez Wadsworth says: “The power to create change isn't lost, it's local.” https://lnkd.in/eNEUc7A8

Just one day ago a 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck Alaska. In remote communities across the state, tsunami warnings were delivered over public radio. No backup system. No other way to reach everyone. Public media is not a luxury. It is essential infrastructure. It connects communities, delivers trusted journalism and, in critical moments, becomes a life-saving tool. Federal support for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting provides the funding backbone for the local NPR and PBS stations serving vulnerable communities across the nation that otherwise lack access to information. These are the stations that broadcast school board meetings, provide hurricane updates and deliver trusted information when other systems fail. When the earthquake hit Alaska, KUCB’s three-person team broadcast emergency tsunami alerts live, despite being under evacuation warnings themselves. At Knight Foundation, we support public media because it strengthens civic life and ensures everyone has access to timely, fact-based information. Public media is a vital public service. The loss of these local public media stations will make Americans, especially in rural areas, less safe. #journalismmatters #firstamendment #publicmedia https://lnkd.in/eAgdPhnx

Every day, local journalists do essential work to keep their communities informed. They show up to school board meetings. They break down complicated local policies. They’re there when tragedy strikes, helping people understand what’s happening and what comes next. Behind that vital reporting is an often-invisible layer of support; the infrastructure that makes the newsroom go. Tools and training. Legal resources. Emergency protocols. Financial systems. This is what allows journalists to do their jobs safely, effectively and sustainably. At Knight Foundation, we’ve long believed that reliable, efficient, scalable infrastructure is core to a strong future for local news. That’s why today's announcement from Press Forward, $22.7 million to 22 infrastructure projects, is so powerful. It shows momentum for this essential work. We’re proud to work alongside so many dedicated partners. Together, we’re building the infrastructure that a resilient local news future demands. Read about the cohort here: https://lnkd.in/eA9xZCaN #PressForward #LocalNews #JournalismMatters

Behind every essential story is the news infrastructure that makes it possible. Press Forward’s $22.7 million investment in 22 projects is a powerful step toward strengthening local news for the long haul. Congratulations to all the recipients!

The Local Journalist Index is live and the findings are striking. The data shows a 75% drop in local journalists since 2002, and includes an interactive map to explore coverage gaps. When communities lose local reporters, they lose access to trusted, relevant information that helps them participate in civic life. The index is a valuable tool for all of us who are dedicated to local news. Thank you Rebuild Local News and Muck Rack!

Public policy that recognizes local news as a public good is already making a real difference for newsrooms and communities across the country. So what does it look like in action? I took a look in the latest News@Knight newsletter: - In Henrico, Va., the Henrico Citizen and the county’s Economic Development Authority launched the Henrico Small Business Boost in 2023, offering subsidized three-month ad campaigns across the paper’s platforms for 20 small businesses. A second round last year doubled the grants to $80,000 for 40 small businesses. - In San Francisco,the city spent $126,527 on advertising in community and ethnic media in FY 2022–23 and recently expanded the program. - In California, New Mexico and Washington State, state-funded fellowship programs are supporting reporters to work in newsrooms for a year or more, creating a pipeline for young reporters and boosting reporting in underserved communities. The real action is happening on the ground, through nonpartisan policies that recognize what communities lose when they don’t have local reporting. Recent investments from Press Forward, Knight Foundation and MacArthur Foundation are advancing this local momentum with partners like Rebuild Local News. Read the full newsletter here: https://kf.org/4nAyJ6q

The Freedom Tower has long stood as a symbol of Miami — a community shaped by stories of resilience, migration, memory and hope. With a $5 million investment, Knight Foundation is proud to support the restoration and reopening of this treasured landmark in partnership with Miami Dade College. Once home to the Miami Daily News and later a refuge for more than 400,000 Cuban exiles, the Tower’s centennial marks a powerful moment to reflect on its legacy and reimagine its future. This fall, the new Knight Skylight Gallery will debut as a space for bold storytelling and civic connection through immersive exhibitions, live programming, public art, and a renewed commitment to community. We believe Miami’s past should not only be preserved, but also celebrated so that every Miamian can see themselves in the city’s evolving narrative. The Freedom Tower is a beacon of that vision.

Today is the LAST DAY to apply for the Knight Foundation Art + Tech Expansion Fund! Don't miss out on this great funding opportunity to advance your creative ideas and innovation.