#United States #Chicago, Illinois #Poetry Foundation #Sustainable Futures Grants #poetry organizations

Poetry Foundation Launches Sustainable Futures Grants Program

In an exciting advancement for the literary arts, the Poetry Foundation has initiated its Sustainable Futures Grants program, dedicating over $3 million in financial support distributed across a cohort of twelve poetry organizations in the United States. This philanthropic effort aims to provide these groups with much-needed multi-year general operating grants, affording them the flexibility to amplify their initiatives and expand their reach in communities nationwide.

At a time when funding for the arts is increasingly scarce, the Poetry Foundation's commitment offers a lifeline to organizations striving to nurture and promote poetry. The current grant recipients are all established partners of the Poetry Foundation and have been recognized for their dedication to uplifting underrepresented voices in the poetry community. Each of these twelve organizations will receive a three-year grant, which is designed to provide them with the stability they require to further their unique missions and make a significant impact in their respective regions.

Among the inaugural recipients of the Sustainable Futures Grants are:

• - American Poetry Museum, Washington, D.C. - $150,000
• - Cave Canem, New York - $450,000
• - Chicago Poetry Center, Illinois - $300,000
• - Guild Literary Complex, Illinois - $225,000
• - Indigenous Nations Poets, Wisconsin - $225,000
• - InsideOut Literary Arts, Michigan - $300,000
• - Noemi Press, Arizona - $150,000
• - O, Miami, Florida - $300,000
• - Poets House, New York - $300,000
• - Split This Rock, Washington, D.C. - $225,000
• - The Watering Hole, South Carolina - $150,000
• - Young Chicago Authors, Illinois - $300,000

These organizations are renowned for their efforts in conducting fellowships, residencies, publishing, community workshops, and educational programs aimed at youth. By granting these funds, the Poetry Foundation aims to empower these leaders as they cultivate a diverse poetic community and promote accessibility to the literary arts.

The strategy behind the Sustainable Futures Grants program reflects significant input from stakeholders involved in the poetry ecosystem, including results from a Grantee-Partner Perception Survey conducted by the Poetry Foundation. The survey highlighted the demand for multi-year funding, capacity-building opportunities, and the need for convening spaces where organizations could share knowledge and resources.

Chris Guzaitis, the director of grants and awards at the Poetry Foundation, articulated the urgency of this initiative stating, “Now more than ever, it’s critical to invest in poetry organizations that are nurturing diverse voices, building community, and expanding access to the literary arts.” Furthermore, Guzaitis emphasized that the cohort members are pivotal players in shaping the future of poetry through their creativity and persistence.

The Sustainable Futures Grants program exemplifies the Poetry Foundation's ongoing commitment to promoting diverse voices in poetry while fostering a more sustainable and equitable future for the art form. The organization is currently inviting new applications for general operating support grants from nonprofit poetry-centered entities, presses, publications, and literary arts service organizations, with a deadline for submissions set for July 15, 2025. This initiative represents an essential step towards empowering poetry organizations and ensuring their longevity in a changing cultural landscape.

As the Poetry Foundation embarks on this new chapter, it hopes to continue building a vibrant and supportive ecosystem for poetry to thrive, echoing its belief in the transformative power of words and the importance of creating spaces for all to engage with poetry meaningfully.

Stay connected with the Poetry Foundation by following them and Poetry magazine on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep updated on future initiatives and community events.