“Poetry helps us slow down, hear clearly, see deeply, and envision what matters most in our lives.” —U.S. Poet Laureate Arthur Sze, who was just appointed for a second term
#LiteraryArts
“A poem moves from one body to another. That movement—of feeling, of imagination—is communal. And that communion is power.” —Aimee Nezhukumatathil
#LiteraryArts
Text that reads "Free, online information session, April 7, 2026 2 p.m .ET The Literary Arts Fund will present its field scan exploring a segment of the U.S. nonprofit literary arts sector" Literary Arts Fund logo
On Tuesday, 4/7 at 2 p.m. ET, join the Literary Arts Fund for an online presentation of its field scan exploring a segment of the U.S. nonprofit literary arts sector.
Research shared during this session may benefit literary arts nonprofits’ development efforts.
Register for free: bit.ly/4t96yxd
“Between agents, editors, marketers, and manufacturers, it can take years of decision-making to get a book into readers' hands.”
While this article focuses on commercial publishing, the issues highlighted here are also present for nonprofit publishers.
Graphic that reads "Free, online information session April 7, 2026 2 p.m. ET The Literary Arts Fund will present its field scan exploring a segment of the U.S. nonprofit literary arts sector"
Join the Literary Arts Fund for a field scan exploring a segment of the U.S. nonprofit literary arts sector. Free and online. April 7, 2026, 2 pm ET. Register here: bit.ly/4t96yxd
ASL interpretation and closed captioning will be provided. A recording will also be available on literaryartsfund.org.
"Consolidation, fewer imprints and editorial bottlenecks are reshaping how fiction book deals are acquired and developed..."
A new @usatoday.com article explains the hurdles writers face in securing book deals from commercial publishers, underscoring the gaps that nonprofit literary presses fill.
“The ability of writers to imagine what is not the self, to familiarize the strange and mystify the familiar, is the test of their power.” —Toni Morrison
#LiteraryArts
“Even though I’m telling very particular stories, I’m trying to get at a core human goal: I love making deep, meaningful connections with other human beings.” —Imani Perry
#LiteraryArts
"We believe that everyone in our country deserves meaningful access to the veracity, beauty, imagination, and continual revelation that the arts and humanities provide." —Elizabeth Alexander, President of @mellon.org, a co-founder of the Literary Arts Fund
“It’s becoming clear that writing and reading is a way of simply underscoring that human connection is important, that you can know my mind and I can know yours, which is a vastly consoling idea, and we need it.” —George Saunders
#LiteraryArts
"Reading for pleasure has fallen by some 40 percent in the last 20 years, continuing a long-running downward trend. [...] That's just part of the impetus for a new effort to boost the world of words."
@mellon.org President Elizabeth Alexander discusses the Literary Arts Fund with @pbsnews.org.
Listen to Alexander on PBS NewsHour @pbsnews.org discussing the Literary Arts Fund, which will bolster the nonprofit literary arts field through a $50+ million investment over the next five years.
"Certainly learning, but also the arts and—in the case of today's topic, the word—are the best way, the most efficient and powerful way for people to see each other, and for people to understand that we all live different lives." —Mellon Foundation @mellon.org President Elizabeth Alexander
"A new literary arts fund... will pump $50 million over 5 years toward nonprofit orgs that serve writers & writing—small presses, including of literature in translation; residencies; fellowships & more."
@mellon.org President Elizabeth Alexander discusses the Literary Arts Fund with @pbsnews.org.
"I hope with every book I write that it heals something in someone." —Tayari Jones @tayari.bsky.social on her new book, "Kin."
#LiteraryArts
Application window closing soon Literary arts nonprofits directly supporting creative writers can apply for 2026 general operating grants by December 19, 2025 literaryartsfund.org
Tomorrow, December 19 at 11:59 p.m. ET, is the deadline for the Literary Arts Fund’s 2026 general operating grants.
U.S.-based literary arts nonprofits that directly support creative writers are invited to review the fund’s eligibility requirements and apply: literaryartsfund.org/grants/
The Literary Arts Fund was catalyzed by "a fundamental belief...in the importance and the power of literature." —Elizabeth Alexander, President of the Mellon Foundation @mellon.org, a Literary Arts Fund co-founder
Listen to Alexander's conversation with Brian Lehrer about the new fund on @wnyc.org.
Application window closing soon Literary Arts nonprofits directly supporting creative writers can apply for 2026 general operating grants by December 19, 2025 literaryartsfund.org
There’s one week left to apply for the Literary Arts Fund’s 2026 general operating grants.
U.S.-based literary arts nonprofits directly serving creative writers are invited to review the eligibility requirements and apply by December 19 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
Learn more: literaryartsfund.org/grants.
Application window closing soon Literary arts nonprofits directly supporting creative writers can apply for 2026 general operating grants by December 19, 2025 literaryartsfund.org
There are ten days left to apply for the Literary Arts Fund’s 2026 general operating grants. U.S.-based literary arts nonprofits whose primary mission is directly supporting creative writers are invited to apply.
The deadline is 12/19/25 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Learn more: literaryartsfund.org/grants.
In case you missed it, a recording of the Literary Arts Fund's information session about its 2026 grant opportunities is available to view here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=94S8...
Applications now open through December 19, 2025 for 2026 general operating grants for U.S.-based literary arts nonprofits that directly support creative writers
The Literary Arts Fund’s 2026 general operating grant application window is open though December 19, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Literary arts nonprofits that directly support creative writers and their artistic work are invited to apply.
Learn more: literaryartsfund.org/grants/
Virtual information session November 13, 2025 2 p.m. EST 2026 general operating and innovation project grants
Nonprofits interested in applying for a 2026 grant are also encouraged to attend a grants information session on Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 2 p.m. EST: zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Applications now open through December 19, 2025 for 2026 general operating grants for U.S.-based literary arts nonprofits that directly support creative writers
The Literary Arts Fund’s 2026 general operating grant application window is now open. U.S.-based literary arts nonprofits whose primary mission is presenting, publishing, and/or otherwise directly supporting creative writers are invited to apply: literaryartsfund.org/grants/
Houston Endowment is proud to join funders nationwide in supporting the Literary Arts Fund and championing the country’s most underfunded artistic field.
#LiteraryArts #ArtsFunding @literaryartsfund.bsky.social
“McKnight recognizes the important role these artists have in bringing forth a more just, creative, and abundant future for all, and we are proud to join this collaborative effort to strengthen the literary arts for generations to come.” —Tonya Allen, President, McKnight Foundation
The Literary Arts Funders Collaborative is a new affinity group for foundation leaders interested in literature, reading, and creative writers, and in learning about the nonprofit literary arts field that supports them.
Learn more about the collaborative: literaryartsfund.org/about/#liter...
“May this new fund and the Literary Arts Funders Collaborative invite in and encourage new supporters to experience, as we have, the delight and high returns of literary brilliance.” —Brenda Coughlin, Executive Director of Lannan Foundation, a Literary Arts Fund co-founder
The Literary Arts Funders Collaborative is a new philanthropic affinity group for foundation leaders interested in literature, reading, and creative writers, and in learning more about the literary arts nonprofits that support them.
Learn more about the collaborative: literaryartsfund.org/about
Citing a chronic shortage of financial backing for independent publishers & nonprofits dedicated to writing and reading, a coalition of seven charitable foundations has established a Literary Arts Fund that will distribute a minimum of $50 million over the next five years. https://to.pbs.org/4o6lqua
A coalition of charitable foundations are creating the Literary Arts Fund, which will distribute at least $50 million to various organizations over 5 years. n.pr/3WYkn3o
“This fund has the potential to make an unprecedented difference to nonprofit organizations, for the support, creation, and outreach of literary arts.” —Joy Harjo, three-term U.S. Poet Laureate (2019–2022)
"I am honored to be among those ushering in this visionary fund that will generously support the literary arts. [It] has the potential to make an unprecedented difference to non-profit organizations, for the support, creation, and outreach of literary arts" —Joy Harjo, three-term U.S. Poet Laureate
