WHAT WE FUND

Knight Foundation seeks to be a more effective social investor through insights that can drive impact in the fields and communities where we work, and we believe the greatest impact comes from sharing insights widely. 

We cultivate and apply insights through: 

Assessment: We assess our investments to understand their impact. We monitor progress on our grant assumptions and goals, and on equity and inclusion. We do this to further impact, guide future investments and, through shared knowledge, assist grantees and others in the fields where we work. 

Research: We commission original research and support independent research to add to the general understanding of the present and future of informed and engaged communities.

In 2019, we announced an investment of $50 million in new research to better understand how technology is transforming our democracy and to help ensure society is equipped to make evidence-based decisions on how to govern and manage the now-digital public square. Known collectively as, The Knight Research Network, research topics include disinformation, digital manipulation and interference in democratic processes, free expression online and the roles of private technology companies in our democracy.