P&W to Expand with Hearst Foundations Support

Poets & Writers will expand its core programs in order to better serve writers coast to coast, especially writers of color and other historically marginalized groups. The Hearst Foundations awarded Poets & Writers a grant of $150,000 to pilot this project in Detroit, New Orleans, and Houston.

Poets & Writers has historically supported literary events in these three cities, as well as other parts of the country, through mini-grants offered by its Readings & Workshops program. The Hearst Foundations grant will expand the funds available for mini-grants and enable Poets & Writers to engage more deeply with writers in these cities over the next two years. Poets & Writers will draw on its existing relationships with writers and literary organizations, as well as its digital tools and resources, to "help build stronger, more connected local networks that will support writers and create opportunities for more people to encounter contemporary writers and writing," the company said.

“We look forward to being a more active partner in strengthening the literary communities in each of these cities,” said Poets & Writers executive director Elliot Figman.