WICHITA, Kan. - 11/21/2013 - Two new projects will contribute to Wichita’s revitalization and strengthen the city’s economic future with $119,900 from the Wichita Community Foundation. The support is from the Knight Foundation Fund of the community foundation.

The Wichita Downtown Development Corporation (WDDC) will receive $75,000 to begin the planning of the revitalization of the historic Douglas Avenue underpass from its current status into an inviting gateway into downtown. This grant will allow WDDC to obtain a lead architect and design team to help in the first phase of the project.

A $44,900 grant, awarded to the Wichita Educational Foundation, will build on Knight Foundation goals to ensure a productive workforce needed for sustained economic growth in our region. The second goal will formalize and convene the already active technology sector, building on work started through the Tech Alliance, which was formed from Visioneering Wichita work.

“Both of these grants from the Knight Foundation Fund support creation of a more vibrant Wichita,” said WCF President and CEO Shelly Prichard. “As a local partner with Knight Foundation, WCF serves as a community convener, helping ideas from the Leadership Council and the development of Downtown Wichita go from concept, to meaningful research, and eventually, to execution.”

About the Wichita Community Foundation
Founded in 1986, the Wichita Community Foundation’s mission is to be the catalyst that creates lasting legacies by partnering with people, families, and organizations to devote resources to causes that matter. The Foundation is a public nonprofit organization with 300 charitable funds and agency endowments, representing nearly $60 million. For more information, visit wichitacf.org or call 316-264-4880.

About the Knight Foundation
Knight Foundation supports transformational ideas that promote quality journalism, advance media innovation, engage communities and foster the arts. They believe that democracy thrives when people and communities are informed and engaged. For more information, visit knightfoundation.org.