Knight Foundation announces $250,000 grant

Following $120,000 to E.J., $20,000 for service-learning projects

By Spencer DeVeau, News Writer

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation is at it again.

Last Wednesday, April 8, the Knight Foundation announced a $250,000 grant to The University of Akron.

UA can use the grant for whatever it needs; but, according to an emailed statement by UA President Scott Scarborough, the funding could be used to “…fund marketing studies, plan development, and financial analyses—all of which is crucial to implementing new strategic initiatives.”

“The funding is important to UA because it provides one-time money to fund one-time activities that support the rollout of new college-level and university-level strategic initiatives,” Scarborough wrote.

The Knight Foundation is no stranger to generous donations. In another email, UA’s Development Office wrote: “During [John S. Knight’s] lifetime and later through the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, nearly $40 million has been contributed to The University of Akron.”

Recent donations from the Knight Foundation include $120,000 to E.J. Thomas Hall and $20,000 to fund service-learning projects at UA.

“The University of Akron plays an essential role in bringing talented people to the city and providing them with the connections and opportunities they need to stay,” said Kyle Kutuchief, Knight Foundation interim program director, in a press release on UA’s website.

For more information on the Knight Foundation’s recent donation, visit knightfoundation.org/press-room.