Federal agencies, state arts councils, and private foundations provide grants supporting creative writers, literary organizations, and writing programs. These grants fund individual authors (fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, playwriting), nonprofit literary centers, publishers, writing workshops, and community literacy initiatives. Below are 70 verified funding opportunities for writers and literary arts organizations.
Direct fellowships and project support for writers creating original works of fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and drama. NEA Creative Writing Fellowships ($25,000), state arts council grants ($500-$15,000), and emergency relief funds for writers facing financial hardship.
Operating and project grants for nonprofit literary centers, writing workshops, reading series, literary magazines, and author organizations. NEA grants to organizations ($10,000-$100,000), state arts council funding, and capacity-building support for literary infrastructure.
Support for independent publishers, literary magazines, translation projects, and first book publication. NEA Literature Translation Fellowships, state arts council publishing grants, and foundation support for small presses and literary journals.
Funded residencies, workshops, conferences, and career development programs for writers. Travel grants for author readings/presentations, professional development stipends, and emerging writer mentorship programs.
National Endowment for the Arts awards $25,000 fellowships to published writers of exceptional talent in fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. Alternates annually between prose (fiction + creative nonfiction) and poetry. Highly competitive (3-5% acceptance rate). Recent publication required. Supports time for writing and career advancement.
Federal funding ($10,000-$100,000) for nonprofit literary organizations presenting readings, workshops, festivals, publications, and community writing programs. Supports literary centers, small presses, translation projects, and literary arts presenters. Requires 1:1 cost match. Awards support project costs and general operating expenses.
All 50 states plus DC and territories offer writer grants through state arts agencies. Individual artist fellowships ($500-$15,000), project grants for literary organizations, and professional development funding. Deadlines, eligibility, and award amounts vary by state. Contact your state arts council for specific opportunities.
IMLS grants support libraries developing literary programming, author events, writing workshops, and community literacy initiatives. National Leadership Grants ($50,000-$1M) and state formula grants administered through state library agencies. Libraries can partner with local literary organizations.
These grants support writers and literary arts programs. Contact your state arts council or NEA Literature Program for application guidance.
The goal of this grant will be to develop and provide training for educators to become literacy coaches and provide credentialing opportunities for educators to become reading and literacy specialists...
The intent of the grant is for the California Department of Education (CDE) to award competitive grants of up to $15,000 per school site for nonrecurring expenses incurred when initiating or expanding...
Projects which facilitate the protection and restoration of wildlife, habitat and historical/archaeological resources, including habitat restoration projects in urban rural areas. This program Support...
Projects which facilitate the protection and restoration of wildlife, habitat and historical/archaeological resources, including habitat restoration projects in urban rural areas. This program support...
Projects which facilitate the protection and restoration of wildlife, habitat and historical/archaeological resources, including habitat restoration projects in urban rural areas. This program support...
Projects which facilitate the protection and restoration of wildlife, habitat and historical/archaeological resources, including habitat restoration projects in urban rural areas. This program support...
The California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018 (Proposition 68) SMMC Grant Program. This program supports The California Drought, Water, Parks...
Projects which facilitate the protection and restoration of wildlife, habitat and historical/archaeological resources, including habitat restoration projects in urban rural areas. This program support...
This program supports Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy’s (“Conservancy”) Proposition 1 Competitive Grant Program specifically pertain to competitive grants for multi benefit ecosystem and watershed ...
The California State Library’s LSTA Community Impact grants opportunity helps California’s libraries respond effectively to local needs and align services with local community aspirations; support exp...
The California State Library’s LSTA grant opportunities: Support improvement, innovation, and experimentation in library services; Build capacity among the California library community in grant-writ...
WCB is seeking high-quality grant proposals for the development of RCIS's. CDFW's RCIS program encourages public agencies to develop regional conservation planning documents using the best available s...
This program will provide a borrower with access to low interest rate capital markets through the issuance of tax-exempt and taxable commercial paper notes. Eligibility General Requirements -Must be...
The purpose of the program is to improve the health and welfare of California's critically ill children, by providing a stable and ready source of funds for capital improvement projects for children's...
The purpose of the program is to improve the health and welfare of California’s critically ill children, by providing a stable and ready source of funds for capital improvement projects for children's...
This program provides discretionary State loans to eligible public-use airports for projects that enhance an airport’s ability to provide general aviation services. Types of projects funded by these l...
The Pollution Control Tax-Exempt Bond Financing Program facilitates low cost capital through private activity, tax-exempt bonds. The securities pay for acquisition, construction or installation of qua...
This program will provide a borrower with access to low interest rate capital markets through the issuance of tax-exempt and taxable revenue bonds. Eligibility General Requirements -Must be a health...
This program will provide low-interest rate loans to California's non-profit small or rural health facilities in an efficient, timely, and cost-effective manner. Eligibility -Must be a health facilit...
This program will provide a borrower with access to tax-exempt, fixed-rate financing for equipment purchases. Eligibility General Requirements -Must be a health facility as defined in the Authority'...
Showing 50 of 70 grants
Browse All GrantsNEA Literature Fellowships award $25,000 to published creative writers of exceptional talent. Program alternates annually: prose (fiction + creative nonfiction) one year, poetry the next. Eligibility requires US citizenship/permanent residency and recent publication (book-length work from recognized press or substantial publications in literary magazines). Applications reviewed blindly by panels of literary professionals. Highly competitive (200-300 awards from 10,000+ applications = 3% rate). Applications typically open February-March. Announcement in December. Visit arts.gov/grants for current guidelines. Unrestricted funds—use for writing time, residencies, research, or any purpose advancing literary career.
Yes, but fewer opportunities than established writers. Many state arts councils offer emerging artist grants (no publication requirement). PEN America Emerging Voices Fellowship supports unpublished writers from underrepresented communities. Community of Writers, Breadloaf, Tin House, and other writing conferences offer scholarships/fellowships (application-based, submit writing samples). Library and community foundations support local emerging writers. MFA programs provide funding through teaching assistantships and fellowships. First book contests (many with $1,000-$5,000 prizes + publication) accept unpublished manuscripts. Build publication record in literary magazines and journals—these credentials strengthen future grant applications. Most individual artist grants require publication history.
NEA grants to organizations fund literary magazines and small presses ($10,000-$100,000). Requirements: 501(c)(3) status, 2+ years operating history, track record of publication, professional editorial standards. State arts council grants support literary publishers (amounts vary, typically $2,000-$25,000). CLMP (Community of Literary Magazines and Presses) provides resources and advocacy. Starting out: Begin as fiscally-sponsored project (using established nonprofit's 501(c)(3)). Kickstarter/Patreon for community funding. Small grants from local arts foundations. After 2+ years and 4+ issues/books: Apply for NEA and state arts council support. Most funders want demonstrated sustainability and editorial quality before investing.
Yes. PEN America Writers' Emergency Fund provides $500-$2,000 grants to published professional writers experiencing unexpected financial crisis (medical emergency, natural disaster, sudden income loss). Authors League Fund offers interest-free loans and grants to published book authors. Carnegie Fund for Authors assists published authors facing health/financial emergencies. COVID-19 created additional emergency programs: many state arts councils, literary organizations, and foundations established rapid-response grants. The Artist Safety Net Coalition coordinates emergency relief resources. Eligibility typically requires: published work, demonstrated financial need, specific emergency (not general hardship), membership or previous funding relationship. Turnaround often 2-4 weeks.
Varies significantly by state. Large states (CA, NY, TX, FL) are extremely competitive (5-15% funding rate) with high award amounts ($5,000-$15,000). Smaller states less competitive but smaller awards ($500-$5,000). Typical scenario: State receives 200-400 individual artist applications, awards 20-50 grants. Panel review by writers, editors, literary professionals. Applications require work samples, artistic statement, budget. Strengthen applications with: strong writing samples (best recent work), clear artistic vision, publication history, community engagement, diversity/equity alignment. Most states fund every 2-3 years (not annually) per artist—check your state arts council guidelines. Recent recipients typically ineligible for 2-5 years (varies by state).
Genre writers often excluded from "literary" grants (NEA, state arts councils prioritize literary fiction/poetry). Exceptions exist: Some state arts councils accept genre work if literary quality is high. Better options for genre writers: Genre-specific organizations (Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association, Mystery Writers of America, Romance Writers of America) offer emergency funds and scholarships but limited grant programs. Commercial publishing advances function as "grants"—agents shop manuscripts to publishers for advances ($1,000-$100,000+). Hybrid approach: Literary journals increasingly publish genre work. Reframe genre writing with literary techniques for grant applications. Self-publishing + Kickstarter enables community-funded projects.
Leading literary and human rights organization. Emergency funds, database of writing awards/residencies, advocacy for free expression. Excellent resource for grant opportunities, literary prizes, and professional development for writers at all career stages.
Directory of all 56 state and territorial arts councils. Each state offers individual artist fellowships and organizational grants for literary programs. Your state arts council is primary funder—establish relationship early, attend info sessions, apply regularly.
Comprehensive database of grants, awards, residencies, and MFA programs for creative writers. "Speakeasy" forum for writer networking. Free and premium tools for discovering funding opportunities sorted by genre, deadline, and eligibility. Publishes Poets & Writers Magazine with grant listings.
Membership organization for independent literary publishers. Resources on NEA grants, small press sustainability, literary magazine management. Annual conference, webinars, and advocacy for literary publishing. Members share grant strategies and funding resources.
Explore our complete database of 4230 federal, state, and foundation grants to find funding opportunities for your literary work or organization.
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