Knight Foundation · · Instrument: Grants
Knight Cities Challenge
Knight Foundation's Knight Cities Challenge is an open call for individuals and organizations to propose projects in Knight's 26 communities that strengthen local news and information, create pathways for economic opportunity, or cultivate connection through arts, culture and public places. Knight relaunched the Challenge on April 1, 2026 as a $10 million initiative to be awarded over two cohorts across three years, with up to $5 million in the first cohort. Knight invests up to $200,000 per project, and projects are expected to be completed within one year. Applicants must be based in the United States and the project must take place in a Knight community; nonprofits, for-profits, individuals, universities and governments can apply through Submittable. The first-cohort application period ran from April 1 to April 30, 2026, and the page reports 29 recipients selected for 2026. The page invites visitors to sign up for email updates about the next cohort.
Who can apply
- Funding
2026 open call (first cohort)
Up to $200,000 per project; $5 million available in the first cycle
knightfoundation.org- Eligibility · Location
No separate eligibility or location fields are recorded. Check the program summary and the funder's terms.
Funding classification
- Instrument · Capital form · Allocation method · Selection
No separate instrument, capital form, allocation method or selection fields are recorded. Check the program summary and the funder's terms.
Round history
| Round | Window | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 open call (first cohort) | April 1, 2026 to April 30, 2026Closed | Up to $200,000 per project; $5 million available in the first cycle | knightfoundation.org |
Past rounds stay on the page, so you can see how often this program opens.
Funding evidence
Detailed funding records are not yet recorded for this program.
Read the program’s recorded facts and sourcesSources
Awards
none linkedNo award records linked to this profile yet.