AUSTIN, Tex., September 5, 2024 – Torch Literary Arts (Torch), a nonprofit organization dedicated to amplifying Black women writers, will receive funding from the National Book Foundation. This is the nonprofit’s first year receiving funding from the foundation.

The National Book Foundation awarded Torch funding from the Capacity-Building Grant Program. The grant supports capacity building related to fundraising, marketing, and other necessary skills needed for nonprofit staff and board members. The grant is hyper-focused on the sustainability of nonprofit literary organizations.

“Capacity building as a nonprofit can be difficult – especially as a Black-led, Black-serving nonprofit,” said Torch founder and executive director, Amanda Johnston. “Funding from the National Book Foundation continues our efforts to ensure our staff and board are supported in the extremely impactful work that we do at Torch.”

The National Book Foundation’s grant will help supplement Torch’s growth as an organization. Just last year, Torch was able to add part-time positions including two fellowships and two part-time associates for content creation, communications, programming, and more. The organization is also growing its board by recruiting members with diverse backgrounds to help provide valuable input and networking opportunities.

While the missions of nonprofits are important, capacity building is necessary for the sustainability of the nonprofits and their ability to fulfill their mission. Funding for capacity building in the nonprofit space is extremely limited, yet critical for long-term nonprofit operations. In fact, since COVID, there has been a push for philanthropies to loosen restrictions on grants and reporting for long-term and equitable sustainability.

The National Book Foundation’s Capacity Building Grant awarded just under 50 literary arts nonprofit organizations. You can read more about the National Book Foundation’s Capacity Building Grant Program here.

About Torch Literary Arts

Torch Literary Arts is a 501(c)3 nonprofit established with love and intention in 2006 to publish and promote creative writing by Black women. We publish contemporary writing by experienced and emerging writers alike. Torch has featured work by Toi Derricotte, Tayari Jones, Sharon Bridgforth, Crystal Wilkinson, Patricia Smith, Natasha Trethewey, Elizabeth Alexander, and others. Programs include the Wildfire Reading Series, writing workshops, and retreats.

Help Torch continue to publish and promote Black women writers by donating today.

About the National Book Foundation

The National Book Foundation was founded in 1989 to administer the National Book Awards, which has been one of the most prestigious literary prizes in the country since 1950. The Foundation also produces numerous educational and public programs that help connect readers to books in new and meaningful ways.

Media Contact Information:

Brittany Heckard

Communications Associate

bheckard@torchliteraryarts.org 

(512) 641-9251