New York, NY (February 5, 2024)—The Community of Literary Magazines and Presses (CLMP) announced today a second round of capacity-building support for nonprofit literary publishers. Literary magazines and presses may apply to the CLMP Capacity-Building Grant Program for grants of $5,000 or $10,000 to support capacity-building initiatives. Funding from the Hawthornden Foundation, originally founded in 1983 by the late Drue Heinz, makes this program possible.
Built on CLMP’s long-standing Regrant Program for New York State publishers, the Capacity-Building Grant Program was originally launched in 2022 as a one-time special initiative, funded by the Hawthornden Foundation. Through the program, 42 literary magazines and presses received two-year grants of between $2,500 and $25,000 a year to support projects that build organizational capacity and ensure greater sustainability.
“We’re incredibly grateful to the Hawthornden Foundation for renewing its support of this critical national program for literary magazines and small presses,” said CLMP Executive Director Mary Gannon. “These publishers form the foundation of the publishing ecosystem—introducing emerging and underrepresented voices to readers—yet they must compete with far fewer resources than commercial publishers in the marketplace. Protecting their long-term sustainability helps ensure a vibrant, diverse literary landscape.”
Through the CLMP Capacity-Building Grant Program, nonprofit literary magazines and presses may apply for grants to support projects that aim to create a sustainable and effective organization related to fundraising, marketing, distribution, web development, and other areas; skill-building opportunities for staff and board members; strategic and succession planning; diversity and equity initiatives; and leadership development and management training.
“It is a privilege to support CLMP and the critical work it is doing with literary magazines and presses,” said Ellyn Toscano, Executive Director of the Hawthornden Foundation. “CLMP identifies a broad range of presses and magazines in the literary arts nationally, provides financial resources but also incentivizes and shepherds effective organization practices that will ensure stability. CLMP’s contribution to the literary arts is immeasurable.”
Grants will be recommended by an independent panel and approved by a committee of the CLMP Board of Directors. Applications will be accepted from April 2 through May 10 at 5 p.m. ET. To learn more, visit www.clmp.org/capacity-building-grant-program.
A similar grant opportunity will be offered to nonprofit literary organizations by the National Book Foundation. To learn more, visit www.nationalbook.org/national-book-foundation-announces-a-new-funding-opportunity-for-literary-arts-nonprofits.
About CLMP
CLMP ensures a vibrant, diverse literary landscape by helping mission-driven independent literary magazines and presses thrive. Since 1967, CLMP has provided publishers with funding and technical assistance; facilitated peer-to-peer learning and group action; served as a dependable, essential hub for best practices, resources, and nurturing community support; and connected publishers with other groups of literary stakeholders, including readers, writers, booksellers, librarians, educators, presenting organizations, and funders. Along with directly serving 1,000+ publishers located in every state in the country, CLMP administers the Lit Mag Adoption program, which provides educators and students with discounted magazine subscriptions; the annual Indie Lit Fair, in partnership with the PEN World Voices Festival; the $10,000 Constellation Award, given to honor an independent literary press that is led by and/or champions the writing of people of color for excellence in publishing; and the Firecracker Awards for Independently Published Literature, which celebrate magazines and books that make a significant contribution to our literary culture, among other programs.
About the Hawthornden Foundation
Hawthornden Foundation is a private charitable foundation supporting contemporary writers and the literary arts. Established by Drue Heinz, the noted philanthropist and patron of the arts, the Foundation is named after Hawthornden Castle in Midlothian, Scotland, where an international residential residency program provides month-long retreats for creative writers from all disciplines to work in peaceful surroundings. Hawthornden also supports a second residential program at Casa Ecco, on Lake Como in Italy, the site of “Conversazioni,” private conferences attended by many celebrated writers and others in the arts, and a retreat for invited authors to complete a literary work in progress. This year, Hawthornden Foundation will open a new non-residential retreat—Hawthornden Brooklyn—in New York City. In addition, the foundation sponsors the annual Hawthornden Prize, one of Britain’s oldest and foremost literary awards, and provides grant support to other literary programs.
