The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation recently announced it will be providing $19.25 million in funding through a commitment to institutions and a contest that rewards the best arts programs ideas. This news comes on the heels of another significant contribution - $4.2 million - to cultural organizations in Detroit form the Kresge Foundation.

"We believe Detroit's future will be driven by entrepreneurs, artists and designers, building on an impressive existing infrastructure," said Alberto Ibarguen, president of Knight Foundation. "That's why we've adopted a two-tier approach … supporting some of Detroit's most distinguished institutions as well as opening arts funding to everyone."

In the first part of its grantmaking efforts, the Knight Foundation had committed $10.25 million to established organizations such as the Arab Americans National Museum, the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Michigan Opera Theater, the Sphinx Organization and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Through the second half of this campaign, the foundation is holding a contest that will benefit individuals, organizations, businesses and artists who have an arts program idea that benefits Detroit and aligns with the organization's goals.

Nonprofit organizations that hope to benefit from large grant-giving opportunities can improve their chances of being selected for awards when they use nonprofit financial management programs. These solutions can generate data-driven reports for various stakeholders.