Knight News Challenge ramps up for another year
So you have a great idea about how to save the news industry but your editors aren’t listening? Or maybe your editors like the idea but there’s no manpower/money/upper management support?
With the Knight News Challenge there are no excuses. For those not in the know, the Knight Foundation is in its third year of funding innovative ideas in news reporting and delivery. This year the pot is $5 million. There are just three rules:
- Use or create digital, open-source technology as the code base.
- Serve the public interest.
- Benefit one or more specific geographic communities.
Not sure if your idea qualifies? Visit the Knight News Challenge Garage, where prospective applicants can talk about their ideas before they apply. Here are some applicants who have already applied.
My favorite past winner of Knight funds is Spot.us:
“Spot Us” is a project of the nonprofit Center for Media Change that allows an individual or group to take control of news by sharing the cost (crowdfunding) to commission freelance journalists.
Hurry, that idea floating in your head has to be on paper by Nov. 1.
I’m glad you like the idea for spot.us.
Bottom line: There is no reason not to apply to the Knight News Challenge grant. I’m certainly glad I did – it’s been a great opportunity for me to explore what otherwise would have been just an idea.