The Trust has become increasingly aware in recent years how a robust flow of high-quality information, reporting and insight is vital to all its undertakings. So the Trust was eager to participate when, in 2008, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation launched the Community Information Challenge, a five-year, $24 million initiative to help community foundations find creative ways to use new media and technology to keep communities informed. The Trust sought and was awarded one of the 21 initial Knight challenge grants in 2008 and then received a subsequent renewal grant through 2011. With those grants (which were matched by the Trust and supplemented by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation), the Trust created the Community News Matters program. McCormick Foundation, The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation and the Woods Fund of Chicago have since joined in funding the initiative.

Local Reporting Awards

This initiative is funding reporting and analysis of local issues that impact Chicago's low-income neighborhoods. 31 projects were selected to receive a total of $110,000 in funding. Learn more

Foundation Leadership: Meeting Community Needs

The Knight Foundation recently profiled three foundations, including the Trust, who have used the Information Challenge in innovative ways that benefit their communities. Here about their projects below, then find the full case study about the Trust's "new approach to information and media."