Creative Writing
Curve Foundation
Geeks Give: Philanthropy from the World of Science Fiction/Fantasy, Comics and Gaming
Full disclosure: I was a geek before it was cool. Not the kind that you’ll end up working for; instead, I’m a fan of science fiction and fantasy in their many forms. I loved the genres well before “Star Wars” started making science fiction (or SF, as … [Read more...] about Geeks Give: Philanthropy from the World of Science Fiction/Fantasy, Comics and Gaming
A Literary Magazine Received $200 Million. Twenty Years Later, It’s a Poetry Funding Powerhouse
“The art of money isn't hard to master . . . The money surrounds us . . . “Sweet sweet sweet sweet sweet money Money on a wet, black bough “Do not go gentle into that good money The pure products of money go crazy” — From "Money is the Thing With … [Read more...] about A Literary Magazine Received $200 Million. Twenty Years Later, It’s a Poetry Funding Powerhouse
A Rare Foundation Giving Nonfiction Writers What They Need: Money and Recognition
Robert Silvers, late cofounder and editor of The New York Review of Books, described by peers as “the most brilliant editor of a magazine ever to have worked in this country,” died in 2017, leaving behind an impressive literacy legacy — and some … [Read more...] about A Rare Foundation Giving Nonfiction Writers What They Need: Money and Recognition
“More Than Just a Check.” This Funder Couples Cash and Professional Support to Help Artists Thrive
Founded in 1999, Creative Capital provides individual artists with cash support — still hard to come by in arts philanthropy — while cultivating a deep network where artists can explore collaborations, manage their finances, and tap expertise to … [Read more...] about “More Than Just a Check.” This Funder Couples Cash and Professional Support to Help Artists Thrive
“Literature as a Vehicle.” A Unique Book Prize Focuses on Works Addressing Racism and Diversity
Since 1963, the Cleveland Foundation has sponsored the Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards (AWBAs), the only juried American book prize focusing on works that address racism and diversity. I recently had the opportunity to chat with the award’s manager, Karen … [Read more...] about “Literature as a Vehicle.” A Unique Book Prize Focuses on Works Addressing Racism and Diversity
A Philanthropic Contest Asked for Creative Fiction About Money. Here Are the Winning Stories
The Principal Foundation recently announced the winners of its first-ever short story contest, Money Chronicles: A Story Initiative, designed to increase financial literacy by using creative writing to spark conversations about money. A panel of … [Read more...] about A Philanthropic Contest Asked for Creative Fiction About Money. Here Are the Winning Stories
Why a Foundation Focused on Financial Inclusion Launched a Short Story Contest
We often think of the arts and finance as sitting on opposite ends of the spectrum. (Certainly, when I took out a hefty student loan for a master’s degree in fine arts, there was no financial advisor whispering “good decision!” in my ear). Principal … [Read more...] about Why a Foundation Focused on Financial Inclusion Launched a Short Story Contest
Literary Arts Groups Weathered a Pandemic, but Finances Remain Just as Precarious
One of the key findings from IP’s recent research on the state of giving for writing and literature was funders’ tepid support for literary nonprofits in relation to other artistic disciplines.Long before the pandemic struck, grantmakers tended to … [Read more...] about Literary Arts Groups Weathered a Pandemic, but Finances Remain Just as Precarious
The Logan Legacy: Three Brothers Carry on the Philanthropic Work Their Parents Started
At a time when billionaire donors are looming ever larger in philanthropy, it can be easy to overlook the accomplishments of more modest foundations whose founders rarely draw media attention. If anybody had been watching six years ago, when two … [Read more...] about The Logan Legacy: Three Brothers Carry on the Philanthropic Work Their Parents Started
“The Solace of Poetry.” In Troubling Times, This Funder Is Making the Form More Accessible
Always on the lookout for a compelling introduction, and when sitting down to write this profile on the New York-based Adrian Brinkerhoff Poetry Foundation (ABPF), I Googled: “Is poetry dead?”Newsweek did indeed give last rites to the art form back … [Read more...] about “The Solace of Poetry.” In Troubling Times, This Funder Is Making the Form More Accessible
Eleven Ways Funders Are Supporting Social Justice Within and Through the Arts
Art both reflects societies and has the potential to transform them. And although conventional cultural organizations like museums, opera houses and the like have historically received the lion’s share of arts philanthropy, today, some notable … [Read more...] about Eleven Ways Funders Are Supporting Social Justice Within and Through the Arts
How the Inevitable Foundation Is Cultivating Underrepresented Disabled Screenwriters
In 2013, Marisa Torelli-Pedevska began working at a residential summer camp for teens and adults with developmental disabilities in Rhinebeck, New York called Camp Ramapo. It was an eye-opening experience for Torelli-Pedevska, who had chronic illness … [Read more...] about How the Inevitable Foundation Is Cultivating Underrepresented Disabled Screenwriters
IP Briefing: What’s Going on With Philanthropy for Writing and Literature?
In a sentence: Philanthropy for writing and literature is minuscule compared to other arts, but the field has some steadfast supporters. What’s going on Philanthropic support for writing and literature is scant compared to other arts, we reported in … [Read more...] about IP Briefing: What’s Going on With Philanthropy for Writing and Literature?
How Literary Nonprofits Got By in Tough Times—and What They Hope to See From Donors Now
On March 12, 2020, the board of directors of PEN America, a literary nonprofit dedicated to promoting free expression and literary culture, met in New York to discuss a fundraising campaign around its centenary in 2022–2023. “It was ‘all systems go, … [Read more...] about How Literary Nonprofits Got By in Tough Times—and What They Hope to See From Donors Now
A Foundation Takes on Wikipedia’s Africa Gap, While Backing Young Creatives on the Continent
If you’re a creative type, you’ve likely heard of the Moleskine notebook, branded as the heir to the little blank books used by the likes of van Gogh, Picasso and Hemingway. Maybe you even picked one up during quarantine in the hopes of one day being … [Read more...] about A Foundation Takes on Wikipedia’s Africa Gap, While Backing Young Creatives on the Continent
As Writers and Poets Struggle, an Emergency Fund Offers Relief to Literary Arts Groups
Working writers may find comfort in knowing that many of their literary heroes had to pay their dues before becoming famous. Stephen King was a janitor. Harper Lee was an airline reservations attendant. Margaret Atwood worked at a coffee shop.The sad … [Read more...] about As Writers and Poets Struggle, an Emergency Fund Offers Relief to Literary Arts Groups
“We Need These Stories.” Some Funders See Writing as One Key to a More Inclusive World
While creative writing isn’t one of the most active fields in arts philanthropy, it’s not immune to funders’ growing calls for greater equity and inclusion.The Roddenberry Foundation, named after “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry, recently … [Read more...] about “We Need These Stories.” Some Funders See Writing as One Key to a More Inclusive World
Tapping Tech Wealth in the Northwest to Support Writers and More
The Breneman Jaech Foundation describes itself as a family foundation based in Seattle, which, over the past two decades, has funded programs and organizations working in “medical research, social programs and the arts, with an emphasis on literary … [Read more...] about Tapping Tech Wealth in the Northwest to Support Writers and More
“You Always Want to go Back.” A Revered Artist Colony Gets Serious About Raising Money
“Once you come to Ucross, you always want to go back,” says Stephen Jimenez, a writer and filmmaker now working on two novels.He’s talking about the Ucross Foundation’s artist colony, which hosts 10 artists at a time for two-, four- or six-week stays … [Read more...] about “You Always Want to go Back.” A Revered Artist Colony Gets Serious About Raising Money
“Poetry Survives.” Behind a Big Gift to Support and Reimagine a Frequently Underfunded Field
About a year ago, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation appointed a new president, acclaimed poet Elizabeth Alexander, and philanthropy bloggers immediately began reading the tea leaves. How would Alexander steer the $6.3 billion grantmaker in a … [Read more...] about “Poetry Survives.” Behind a Big Gift to Support and Reimagine a Frequently Underfunded Field
Red State, Blue Causes: The Local Foundation Pursuing an Equity Agenda in Ohio
A foundation committed to Cleveland recently put $4 million toward encouraging inclusive, equitable economic growth in northeastern Ohio. The funder also distributed about $10 million in additional grants to support work on climate change, criminal … [Read more...] about Red State, Blue Causes: The Local Foundation Pursuing an Equity Agenda in Ohio
Afterglow: A Startlingly Successful Fundraising Campaign Officially Ends, and the Gifts Keep Coming
A $1 million gift from Kathy G. Short and her husband Jerry to endow the director’s position of the University of Arizona’s (UA) World of Words (WOW), the largest collection of global literature for children and young adults in the nation, suggests … [Read more...] about Afterglow: A Startlingly Successful Fundraising Campaign Officially Ends, and the Gifts Keep Coming
Writing for Change: Behind a New Fellowship Focused on Mass Incarceration
Last November, the Art for Justice Fund, launched by collector Agnes Gund with the Ford Foundation and Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors to address issues related to mass incarceration, announced its first round of grant recipients.It primarily gave … [Read more...] about Writing for Change: Behind a New Fellowship Focused on Mass Incarceration
Who’s Making Grants in the “Perennially Under-Resourced” Field of Poetry?
While poetry may not be the most cash-flush sector of the arts philanthropy space, the Foundation for Contemporary Arts (FCA) is certainly doing its part.At the start of this year, it announced it would give $40,000 grants to three experimental … [Read more...] about Who’s Making Grants in the “Perennially Under-Resourced” Field of Poetry?
“Everyone Is Welcome.” A Funder Backs Arts Writing for the People
Given the highly charged political climate and President Trump’s plans to reduce public funding for the arts, cultural organizations are ramping up efforts to make the case for the arts to the larger populace. The field of arts writing is one area … [Read more...] about “Everyone Is Welcome.” A Funder Backs Arts Writing for the People
Unpublished No More: A Quick Look at a Unique Prize Recognizing Mid-career Poets
It's fairly common to see funders award prizes earmarked for mid-career artists, composers and theater professionals. The logic behind these prizes is simple. In an arts world in which everyone's looking for the "next big thing," funders prefer to … [Read more...] about Unpublished No More: A Quick Look at a Unique Prize Recognizing Mid-career Poets
A Quick Look at a Prestigious Prize for Works in American History or Diplomacy
It's safe to say historians don't enter the field due to the allure of philanthropic dollars. But money certainly never hurts.The Edward M. Kennedy Prize for Drama Inspired By American History comes with an impressive $100,000 prize. Meanwhile, the … [Read more...] about A Quick Look at a Prestigious Prize for Works in American History or Diplomacy
America’s “Historian Laureate” and the Donors Behind the Prize
Meet Jane Kamensky, the "American historian laureate."Earlier this year, the New York Historical Society presented her with its annual book prize in American history for A Revolution in Color: The World of John Singleton Copley. The New York Times … [Read more...] about America’s “Historian Laureate” and the Donors Behind the Prize
