Today the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation published a collection of case studies showing how four community information projects went from idea to impact.

The projects covered in this new report cover work funded by four foundations:

• The Community Foundation of New Jersey, supporting quality journalism through an online news site that promotes a dialogue on state policy.
• The Hawaii Community Foundation, creating the first statewide student news network.
• Incourage Community Foundation, strengthening the civic health of a rural Wisconsin town through information.
• Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, using information to engage residents in conserving the environment.

Lessons learned include:

• First, assess your community's needs and information behaviors
• Identify ways to build stronger information channels within existing programs.
• Make community data personal.
• Use digital training and mobile phones to reach people with limited Internet access.
• Create well-branded partnerships to accelerate participation.
• And more.