Knight Foundation Fund for Gary, Indiana

The Knight Foundation Fund for Gary, Indiana was established at the Legacy Foundation in 2002 by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

Knight invests in journalism, arts and culture in community, research on media and democracy, and the success of 26 cities and towns where John S. and James L. Knight once published newspapers. In 18 of these communities, Knight Foundation holds an endowment within local community foundations and serves as the donor advisor.

Knight Foundation views local community foundations as both important partners in sourcing ideas for our strategic grantmaking, and leaders and conveners in each Knight community. They seek to be a funder of opportunities for the future of each community and seek to build upon local momentum, assets, and resources – often focused geographically in the downtown core. They are open to prototyping new ideas to support local leaders and organizations.

Knight supports Gary’s goals for talent attraction and retention, economic opportunity in the downtown and nearby communities, sustainable food access, and mitigating the population loss. They invest in this core city vibrancy by supporting entrepreneurship, creative solutions for blight reduction and places that bridge economic divides.

Tactics leveraged:

  • Building on Assets: better connecting the community to key assets like universities, corporations, or nature.
  • Public Spaces: enhancing the public realm to be more connected and vibrant.
  • Civic Engagement: breaking down barriers between residents and decision makers; engaging underrepresented communities in civic life and leadership roles.

Knight Foundation Grant Opportunity

Eligibility and Criteria

  • Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization OR government entity (such as schools, hospitals, libraries)
  • In good standing with the IRS
  • Projects that are geographically focused on Gary, Indiana
  • Projects focusing on downtown Gary (the area around 5th and Broadway) will be given priority for Knight Funding

Ineligible Applicants and Projects Include:

  • Individuals
  • Businesses/For-Profit Companies
  • Inherently religious activities such as religious worship, instruction, or proselytization or activities that promote specific religious doctrine
  • Associations for activities directly benefiting their members
  • Requests for partisan political or lobbying activities
  • Fundraising
  • Debt
  • Capital Campaigns or endowment building
  • Medical research

Award Amount:
Organizations can request up to $100,000.

How to Apply:
Interested eligible organizations should submit a letter of interest detailing the following:

  • Contact information: Name, email address, mailing address, and phone number
  • Brief overview of your organization
  • Overview of project/program
  • Why this project/program is needed
  • Timeline (funds should be used within 1 year from awarded)
  • Population served, including number of individuals served
  • Budget overview identifying amount requested and how funds will be spent
  • Anything else you would like to share

For questions, please contact:
Maranda Fishback Engquist
Grants & Partnerships Director
mfishback@legacyfdn.org