Knight Foundation

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation is one of America's most influential philanthropic organizations, with total assets of $2.6 billion and annual giving of approximately $130 million. Founded in 1950 by newspaper magnates John S. Knight and James L. Knight, the foundation evolved from the Charles L. Knight Memorial Education Fund established in 1940 to support students in Akron, Ohio. The foundation's transformational work centers on supporting quality journalism, advancing media innovation, fostering the arts, and strengthening community engagement across 26 cities where the Knight brothers once owned and operated newspapers. Under the leadership of President Alberto Ibargüen, Knight Foundation made 315 grants totaling $195 million in 2023, positioning itself as a leader in experimental and tech-focused grantmaking. The foundation operates across four primary funding areas: Journalism, Community Impact, Arts, and Information and Society, with particular emphasis on defending press freedom, supporting news organization sustainability, and building informed communities. Its mission remains rooted in the Knight brothers' conviction that well-informed, engaged communities are essential to thriving democracy. Today, the foundation continues this legacy by investing in local journalism, arts and culture, and community development while pioneering innovative approaches to address the digital transformation of media and information ecosystems.