Winning projects of the inaugural Knight Cities Challenge

The Knight Foundation organized the Knight Cities Challenge inspired by the belief that bolstering talent, opportunity, and engagement lead to successful, thriving American cities. The initiative sought the strongest ideas that will revive the 26 Knight-invested communities into vibrant places for living and working.

Starting out with a hefty pool of 7,000 proposed ideas to 126 finalists announced back in January, 32 winners were selected to share the US$5 million prize.

The winning projects are based in 12 of the 26 Knight-invested cities throughout the U.S.: Akron, OH; Bradenton, FL; Charlotte, NC; Columbus, GA; Detroit, MI; Gary, IN; Lexington, KY; Macon, GA; Miami; Philadelphia, PA; St. Paul, MN; and San Jose, CA. Two of the projects focus on multiple Knight communities.

But every idea is still a winner -- the non-winning and non-finalist proposals still have potential elsewhere. The ones considered suitable for specific Knight communities will most likely receive funding, while others may find their ideas can come to life in collaborating with other applicants.

More below.

All the winning projects focus on one or more of three drivers of city success: (1) Talent: Ideas that help cities attract and keep the best and brightest; (2) Opportunity: Ideas that create economic prospects and break down divides; (3) Engagement: Ideas that spur connection and civic involvement.

Check out the winning projects below.