Literature is where I go to explore the highest and lowest place in human society and in the human spirit, where I go to find not absolute truth, but the truth of the tale, of the imagination of the heart. ~Salman Rushdie
The de Groot Foundation is a private family foundation created in 2010 to support high impact, sustainable innovation, education and cultural projects. We’ve worked with organizations internationally to enhance communities through healthcare and education access, safe water, literary arts projects, fellowships and youth empowerment. From helping build the first women’s hospital in Cambodia, to endowing a hospital center for Ethics and Caring, supporting film, literary and visual artists, scholarships for science educators and social interest community theater, we’ve been privileged to connect with visionary and committed people around the globe.
We’re now turning the page to primarily shine the spotlight on emerging voices in the literary arts. Through their words, writers have the power to shape, heal, inspire and educate societies. We need storytellers more than ever. Because of our love of literature and the power of story, we’re passionate about focusing The de Groot Foundation’s initiatives on discovering new voices and encouraging emerging writers.
~Clydette and Charles de Groot, Directors of The de Groot Foundation
Lydia Prendergast joined The de Groot Foundation as our Outreach Coordinator in October 2022. She is entering her last year at Emerson College where she majors in Creative Writing and minors in Journalism and Women, Gender & Sexuality. She has a deep love for reading and writing, and uses that to influence her work both inside and outside of the foundation. As outreach coordinator, Lydia promotes the work of the foundation, our projects, and our grant awardees. She interfaces with the larger literary community to celebrate the work of emerging writers.