Place-Based Foundations and The Knight Community Information Challenge

The last two decades have brought rapid change in the way information is created, published and disseminated. There's been a decline in the breadth, quality and relevance of traditional local news sources such as commercial radio, newspaper readership, and broadcast viewership. This media upheaval is endangering sources of information that have been essential to communities in a democracy.

At the same time, new models, tools and technologies are emerging at a staggering pace. There's been a rise of new information sources, including online news sites from traditional news organizations, Twitter feeds and social networking websites. The online public appears to be participating and engaging in new ways, with individuals moving from passive consumers of information to active contributors to information.

The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven has been an early supporter of new online tools and technologies. Over the past several years, it has distributed own resources and helped secure financial support from the Knight Foundation's Information Challenge program to fund the New Haven Independent and launch the Valley Independent Sentinel and the CT Mirror. The Community Foundation believes in the power of online media as a means to share knowledge, encourage informed decision-making and increase civic engagement.

This report explores how, through the Knight Community Information Challenge, place-based foundations are incorporating community information needs into their work for the benefit both of their communities and their own strategies and missions.