Knight Emerging City Champions (KECC)

The Knight Emerging City Champions (KECC) program is now accepting applications for the 2025–2026 cohort. Powered by 8 80 Cities and funded by Knight Foundation, KECC empowers the next generation of civic leaders with innovative ideas for building thriving communities.  Knight is looking for future city leaders with creative solutions to local challenges. 

Project proposals should aim to:

• Enhance community connection – by building trust through shared public spaces, local information-sharing initiatives or other civic engagement tools
• Foster creative expression – by preserving and advancing arts and culture
• Build community resilience – by supporting and fueling entrepreneurship to benefit local economies

Selected Champions will receive:

• $5,000 in seed funding to launch their idea
• $500 in tech support
• A fully-funded trip to Toronto, Canada for a 3-day Studio
• Access to ongoing mentorship, training and peer support

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Live in the U.S. and be 18–35 years old at the time of applying
• Attend a virtual orientation on August 4, 2025 (6–8 PM EST)
• Travel to Toronto, Canada for the KECC Studio (August 13–16, 2025)
• Propose a project that supports community connection, creative expression and/or local resilience in one of Knight’s eight resident communities

Eligible project locations: Akron, OH · Charlotte, NC · Detroit, MI · Macon, GA · Miami, FL · Philadelphia, PA · San José, CA · St. Paul, MN