What We Look For

In Charlotte, Knight Foundation’s work focuses on the Historic West End, which is experiencing substantial commercial and residential investment. Leveraging economic growth, our vision is for the West End to become an inclusive and thriving residential, commercial and university corridor.

Since 2008, Knight has committed more than $58 million to Charlotte, including investing in the Local Initiatives Support Corporation’s community development strategy aimed at driving transformation and promoting economic opportunity in the Historic West End and across the city; helping Project L.I.F.T. launch the Civic Tech Experience, which provides the city’s West Charlotte community with digital skill-building and connections to economic resources and community engagement opportunities; and supporting the development of community-based organizations to lead neighborhood transformation such as the Historic West End Partnership and the West Side Community Land Trust. Our investments seek to elevate community voices and support greater economic opportunity for all. 

The Charlotte program centers on: 

Promoting community engagement and ensuring Historic West End residents are connected to and participating in the corridor’s growth.
Increasing the neighborhood’s capacity to develop and drive a community vision. 
Supporting the creation and programming of public spaces and hubs that foster interaction and connection among residents.

Knight also invests in the city’s creative sector, as a way to build community, through its arts program. Learn more about the Knight’s Arts program.

Knight Charlotte Office:

220 N. Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28202

Charlotte Community Advisory Committee members:

Charles Bowman, Bank of America; Jesse Cureton, Novant Health; Clay Grubb, Grubb Properties; Tony Lathrop, Moore & Van Allen; Dionne Nelson, Laurel Street Partners; Ted Williams, Charlotte Agenda.