Overview
The Knight Foundation Donor-Advised Fund supports initiatives that help people shape a more vibrant, connected and resilient Grand Forks region.
Knight Foundation’s work is rooted in a simple but powerful idea: strong communities are built when people have the information, opportunity, and spaces they need to participate fully in civic and economic life.
Knight Foundation’s work is rooted in a simple but powerful idea: strong communities are built when people have the information, opportunity, and spaces they need to participate fully in civic and economic life.
Current Funding Priorities
Knight Foundation has refined its focus to invest in three interconnected areas that strengthen communities over time:
- Economic Mobility & Resilience: We support efforts that expand access to economic opportunity and help residents build long-term stability. This includes partnerships with employers, educational institutions, and local organizations that strengthen pathways to jobs, entrepreneurship, and inclusive growth.
- Trust in Government & Civic Institutions: We invest in initiatives that improve how local systems serve residents. This includes making government more accessible, strengthening civic participation and supporting solutions that increase transparency, responsiveness and public trust.
- Opportunities to Connect & Exchange Ideas: We support public spaces and community assets - such as parks, trails, libraries and cultural institutions - that bring people together. These spaces foster connection, access to information and participation in civic and cultural life.
How Funding Works
Knight Foundation partners with the Community Foundation to identify and support forward-looking projects that build on local momentum and community strengths. Letters of inquiry will be accepted from January 1 through February 10, 2027, for projects beginning on or after June 1, 2027. Please submit inquiries via email to Becca Baumbach at [email protected].
Funding is often used to:
Projects with a focus on downtown and those that demonstrate potential for long-term community impact are especially encouraged.
Our Approach
Knight Foundation is increasingly focused on outcomes over outputs - prioritizing measurable results, behavior change, and lasting community impact. We are particularly interested in:
Local Impact
Through this partnership, investments have supported initiatives in areas such as:
Funding is often used to:
- Pilot innovative ideas
- Provide early-stage or “risk” capital
- Strengthen collaborations across sectors
- Build on existing community assets
Projects with a focus on downtown and those that demonstrate potential for long-term community impact are especially encouraged.
Our Approach
Knight Foundation is increasingly focused on outcomes over outputs - prioritizing measurable results, behavior change, and lasting community impact. We are particularly interested in:
- How projects influence systems or long-term investment
- New partnerships or collaborations that emerge
- Lasting changes in how residents engage with community life
Local Impact
Through this partnership, investments have supported initiatives in areas such as:
- Workforce development and talent retention
- Public space activation and downtown vibrancy
- Community storytelling and local media
- Infrastructure that enhances connection and accessibility
