Nonprofit fundraising campaigns may want to follow the lead of some organizations and become friendly with family foundations started by business leaders that are known to consistently contribute to their causes.

The John S. and Jam es L. Knight Foundation, founded by the late newspaper moguls of Knight Ridder, granted $2.5 million over the next seven years to a north Florida nonprofit that is dedicated to reinvesting in other nonprofit fundraising campaigns.

The Knight Foundation also announced that the Community Foundation will now filter all future grant applications from the area. This is part of a new initiative from the Knight Foundation to put $70 million into the community to increase access to information to improve society and promote democracy.

Community Foundation president Joy Watkins says that the new initiative will be valued by nonprofit fundraising efforts in the area that look to her organization for help.

"Knight's commitment to additional resources in our community comes at a time when resources for local nonprofit organizations are in such short supply," said Joy Watkins, president of the Community Foundation of North Florida.

Community organizations looking to improve their access to grants may also want to seek government assistance. Experts say fundraising management software may give nonprofits the edge to gain government grants.