Shaking Up Journalism & Philanthropy: A Discussion with Alberto Ibargüen, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

In an effort to innovate news reporting and grant making, Alberto Ibargüen, president of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, is circumventing the top-down nature of foundation giving and seeking the "wisdom of the crowd." With its signature Knight News Challenge and programs to help the arts and neighborhood development, the foundation is holding contest-like grant competitions and soliciting ideas from charity leaders, entrepreneurs, and everyday citizens.

Its grant making has led to creative, and sometimes controversial, efforts to redefine journalism for the digital age. Knight has supported such ventures as Spot Us, a Web site that seeks donations so reporters can pursue specific news stories they pitch, an online investigative database created by The New York Times, and several nonprofit Internet newspapers, like MinnPost and Pro Publica.

Mr. Ibargüen will be available to answer questions about the future of journalism and Knight's new philanthropy during a one-hour live discussion with Chronicle readers.