Knight Foundation
The Knight Foundation engaged HR&A to evaluate their philanthropic investments in downtown revitalization across nine U.S. cities. Through comprehensive data collection and analysis, HR&A assessed the effectiveness of the Foundation’s priority grants, investigated the sustainability of supported organizations, and identified critical revitalization levers that could be applied to any city. This evaluation provided Knight Foundation with essential insights to guide future investment decisions and promote equitable economic development.
HR&A conducted a mixed-method assessment incorporating both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Working with Knight Foundation staff, grantees, and community stakeholders, we gathered data through interviews, surveys, and various public and proprietary datasets. Our team evaluated the impact of priority grants using a specialized assessment methodology and performed sustainability analyses for select organizations. We thoroughly assessed revitalization progress in each Knight community, identifying successes, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
The resulting “Investing in Revitalization Efforts” report examined downtown and neighborhood initiatives in diverse communities including Akron, Macon, Saint Paul, Charlotte’s West End, Detroit’s North End, Gary, Grand Forks, Lexington, and West Palm Beach. The analysis serves dual purposes: providing a retrospective assessment of past investments and offering forward-looking guidance for equitable economic development. These insights equip the Knight Foundation and other social investors with practical tools for measuring community impact and understanding the complex dynamics of successful downtown revitalization.
