Newsroom

Updates

knight-cities-challenge-logo

Big Ideas Welcomed

What’s your best idea to make cities more successful?

This month, The Knight Cities Challenge seeks new ideas from innovators who will take hold of the future of our cities. They are inviting a new round of civic innovators from across the nation to share their ideas for making the 26 Knight cities more vibrant places to live and work. From a pool of $5 million, we’re looking to award grants at the city, neighborhood, and block level, and all sizes in between.

They are looking for new ideas on how cities can attract and keep talented people, expand economic opportunity and create a culture of civic engagement.

From October 1 to October 27 The Knight Cities Challenge is accepting applications at knightcities.org. The initial application is easy to complete. You don’t have to be a professional grant writer. But you should be ready with a plan to make your idea a reality. They are looking for projects big and small that can have wide impact. Tell them how you would help your city, your neighborhood, or your block succeed.

What Are They Looking For:

The most innovative and effective ideas that fuel one or all of three key drivers of city success.

Talent: Attract and keep talented people.

  • Cities are stronger for everyone when they can attract and keep talented people.
  • People, both younger and older, are returning to cities in record numbers, looking for the best of city life.

Opportunity: Expand economic prospects by breaking down divides and making new connections.

  • To succeed, cities need to be places where opportunity is expanding and open to all. They need to break down divides between people of different incomes and between workers and today’s economy.
  • That means cities need to create places where people of diverse backgrounds can connect across economic divides, so strengths can be shared throughout the community.
  • They need to connect workers with today’s mobile and digital economy, so that everyone has a chance to succeed.