“We are only as free as our First Amendment is strong.” Maribel Pérez Wadsworth @knightfoundation.org at the Press Forward Illinois summit today in Chicago.

I wrote about why @knightfoundation.org invested in @bsky.app: philanthropy can act when mission & opportunity align. We believe in @jay.bsky.team's vision for a better social web—& in ideas (like @masnick.com's) that grow out of the research ecosystem Knight has long supported. kf.org/kfbluesky

We invested in Bluesky’s Series B and wrote about why. We see a possibility for a social web that protects speech, creates opportunity for publishers and creators and enables research on the information landscape. Read @iohn.bsky.social's full take: kf.org/kfbluesky @bsky.app

NEWS: Today, Knight Foundation is excited to announce $19.8 million in investments to support Detroit’s economic growth and cultural vitality.

Today we announced that veteran newsroom leader Amalie Nash will join Knight Foundation as our Vice President of Journalism and lead our efforts to build a sustainable future for local news.

Today, Knight Foundation is committing $10M to the Public Media Bridge Fund — part of a nearly $37M effort to support public media. We’re calling on others to join us in ensuring public media remains a pillar of civic life. Read more in @nytimes.com: www.nytimes.com/2025/08/19/b...

What is “news” to Americans – and what isn’t? The latest research from the Pew-Knight Initiative asked just that. Here’s what we heard 🧵👇

Today we announced new leadership appointments reflecting our commitment to strengthening community engagement, information and technology. (1/4)

Congratulations to @knightfoundation.org’s President and CEO @maribel-wadsworth.bsky.social on being named to the inaugural 2025 TIME100 Philanthropy list. The full list will appear in the June 9, 2025 issue of TIME, available on newsstands on Friday, May 30, and now at time.com/collections/...

TOMORROW! Join the #KECC Info Session at 1:00PM EDT on Zoom. Learn about the program, get tips on applying, and ask your questions! 🗓️ Applications close May 28 — don’t wait! 🔗 Register: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi... 🌟 emergingcitychampions.org/apply/ @knightfoundation.org

The Knight Art + Tech Expansion Fund is now open for applications! Artists & orgs in Akron, Detroit & Miami can apply for funding to expand their digital capacity. Info sessions, office hours & app here: kf.org/4cUNw6V

Public media shows up when it matters most. In her latest op-ed, @knightfoundation.org President & CEO @maribel-wadsworth.bsky.social makes the case for why we must continue funding NPR, PBS and local stations that keep communities informed, connected and safe. www.tennessean.com/story/opinio...

🚨 Applications are now open for the 2025–26 Knight Emerging City Champions program! We’re looking for rising civic leaders in 8 Knight cities with a bold idea to improve their community. Sound like you or someone you know? Learn more and apply by May 28 ➡️ kf.org/42h8tFB.

“It is up to us to ensure that the doors of opportunity and the pathway to the American Dream are open to everyone.” — Dr. Vivek Murthy Watch #KMF25’s keynote with former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy and Knight President & CEO @maribel-wadsworth.bsky.social: www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRAN...

“It is up to us to ensure that the doors of opportunity and the pathway to the American Dream are open to everyone.” — Dr. Vivek Murthy Watch the full #KMF25 keynote session with Dr. Vivek Murthy and Knight President & [email protected] here: kf.org/3Xc9pYC

How can we use AI to transform America’s cities for the better? @goldsmithongov.bsky.social led a conversation with @djpatil.bsky.social & @mattmahansj.bsky.social on how AI can break barriers & enhance government services. "Technology alone is information, but it isn’t insight," Patil cautioned.

Honored to sit down with @jay.bsky.team at Knight Media Forum for a conversation on their rapid growth to 30M+ users in just one year.

Jay Graber, @jay.bsky.team, CEO of @bsky.app joined @maribel-wadsworth.bsky.social on the #KMF25 stage for a timely conversation on the social network’s rapid growth, unique algorithm and how journalists can leverage it effectively. Watch the full conversation here: kf.org/419MKgK

Are content creators the new bloggers of the 2020s? As influencers gain trust as news sources, KMF25 brought together a panel of social media experts to discuss how creators are gaining news audiences by building trust & engagement ⬇️

AI: Reality or hype? The audience at #KMF25 was split—and so was our panel, moderated by @juliaangwin.com, featuring @randomwalker.bsky.social, Miriam Vogel and Luke Hogg. 🧵

At KMF25, @brandyzadrozny.bsky.social led an important discussion on the challenges of covering tech & politics, from disinformation to journalism intimidation. Check out insights from @juliaangwin.com win.com, @davey.bsky.social bsky.social, @naominix.bsky.social & @jeffhorwitz.bsky.social:

Local news fuels strong communities and economies. At KMF25, Dean Baquet, Anne Galloway, Steve Glazer and @jimbrady.bsky.social discussed the path forward—calling for bold leadership, adaptability and an unwavering commitment to truth. And, as Baquet pointed out, you can’t forget joy.

Knight President & CEO @maribel-wadsworth.bsky.social kicked off Knight Media Forum 2025, urging our 1k+ attendees to focus on local solutions to national issues, to rebuild trust and strengthen community resilience. Stay tuned for more highlights and key takeaways over the next 2 days!

🚨 @knightfdn.bsky.social is investing $25M in AJP to grow nonprofit #localnews! This funding will expand local philanthropy, support more nonprofit news organizations, and launch the Knight Resiliency Lab at AJP. More on @axios.com:

In honor of the Eagles' win and the city of Philadelphia, every dollar donated today to the Eagles Autism Foundation will be matched by Knight Foundation until we hit $50,000. Happy Parade Day, and congrats @philadelphiaeagles.bsky.social! donate.eaglesautismfoundation.org/donations/ne...

📷 Students and rising civic leaders join U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and Knight President and CEO @maribel-wadsworth.bsky.social for a conversation about the importance of civic participation, the free press and the vital role young people play in sustaining our democracy!

The latest @pewresearch.org & Knight report reveals that almost 1 in 5 U.S. adults regularly get their news from influencers on social media. Sign up to join news influencers and social media experts on 2/16 to discuss the rapidly changing news landscape: kf.org/4aGa9e9.

To grow and sustain 📈#LocalNews infrastructure, Knight Foundation has committed $15 million to the @INN NewsMatch program to fund independent newsrooms across the U.S. Read how this funding strategy bolsters community support for local journalism here ➡️https://kf.org/3BZRWeE.

Probably a good day to re-up this report from @knightfdn.bsky.social and Gallup:

At Knight, we’ve been closely watching the shift in how Americans get information. The latest Pew-Knight Initiative report reveals that almost 1 in 5 adults regularly get news from news influencers on social media. Swipe for key 🗝️ findings and read more here: kf.org/3CrnwlB @pewresearch.org

ICYMI: It was inspiring to host thought leaders, industry experts, and visionaries at this year's Informed conference. They delved deep into the fabric of digital discourse, exploring what constitutes an informed and engaged democracy. You can find all the discussions here: kf.org/informed24

Today we’re announcing the launch of the Knight-Georgetown Institute, a new hub that will convene and support researchers – and provide actionable, accessible, nonpartisan insights to the stakeholders and institutions that design, operate, and govern the digital information environment.

We're hiring a Director/Marketing & Communications at Knight Foundation! Are you a creative storyteller with experience in PR, digital strategy, website content and event design? https://knightfoundation.org/about/employment/director-digital-strategy-and-marketing/