Knight Foundation invests in four Tallahassee projects to improve community

Special to the Tallahassee Democrat
·2 min read
A Created Equal event from the Village Square is shown here. The Village Square will receive a grant of $9,500 to execute an event called “Fast Forward Tallahassee.”
A Created Equal event from the Village Square is shown here. The Village Square will receive a grant of $9,500 to execute an event called “Fast Forward Tallahassee.”

Four local nonprofit organizations will receive a total of $114,500 in grants from the Knight Foundation’s Donor Advised Fund at the Community Foundation of North Florida.

These grants will provide support to projects that better connect our community. The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation focuses on revitalizing Tallahassee’s downtown and bordering communities to attract and retain talented people and promote economic opportunity through projects in smart design, the arts and entrepreneurship.

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A brief description of each project receiving funding is described below:

Students excited to learn at Apalachee Ridge Technology & Learning Center.
Students excited to learn at Apalachee Ridge Technology & Learning Center.

The Greater Apalachee Ridge Estates Neighborhood Association, Inc.

Grant of $50,000 will provide equipment upgrades and community access to the Apalachee Ridge Technology and Learning Center. This Center will support digital equity, tech literacy, and economic development within this economically challenged neighborhood and ensure they have a first-class learning facility that will support their needs and build community.

A child plays at the new Red Hills Rhythm musical parklet within Coal Chute Pond Park after its official opening ceremony Wednesday, July 13, 2022 in Tallahassee. The project was conceived by the Knight Creative Communities Institute
A child plays at the new Red Hills Rhythm musical parklet within Coal Chute Pond Park after its official opening ceremony Wednesday, July 13, 2022 in Tallahassee. The project was conceived by the Knight Creative Communities Institute

Knight Creative Communities Institute (KCCI)

Grant of $15,000 will create a minimum of five artistic, community-designed crosswalks leading into schools called "Crosswalks to Classrooms." This project will increase public safety and access to public art, both an essential aspect of the human experience.

A "TLH" mural is one of many that now lives in Gallie Alley as part of the Tallahassee Downtown Improvement Authority's community mural project. The project has given the alley a facelift with murals with uplifting messages and Tallahassee-centric pieces created by local artists.
A "TLH" mural is one of many that now lives in Gallie Alley as part of the Tallahassee Downtown Improvement Authority's community mural project. The project has given the alley a facelift with murals with uplifting messages and Tallahassee-centric pieces created by local artists.

Tallahassee Downtown Improvement Authority

Grant of $40,000 will be used towards the development of a sculpture that will be unveiled during Tallahassee’s Bicentennial Celebration. This sculpture will incorporate civic engagement in a public park to commemorate the founding of our community and its forward momentum.

The Village Square

Grant of $9,500 will execute an event called “Fast Forward Tallahassee.” This event will bring together specific governmental and university assets and better connect citizens to them, in addition to breaking down barriers between citizens and decision makers.

“Through our partnership with the Knight Foundation, we are pleased that they are interested in supporting projects that will lead to a more informed, engaged, and equitable community.” Katrina Rolle, President & CEO of the Community Foundation of North Florida.

For more information about the Community Foundation of North Florida and its partnership with the Knight Foundation, please contact Emily Fulton at 850-222-2899 or efulton@cfnf.org. To learn more, visit cfnf.org.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Knight Foundation invests in four Tallahassee community projects