Courage is the first essential for a writer. ~Katherine Anne Porter
It takes courage and character to be a writer. It means accepting the risk of revealing yourself and overcoming fears of putting your feelings and dangerous ideas right there on the page. ~Alan Rinzler
The COURAGE TO WRITE grant program encourages and supports emerging voices of all ages. Writing takes focus, courage and time. The COURAGE TO WRITE grants provide a monetary respite that offers you freedom to focus on your creative process and enhance your craft.
Who Should Apply
We welcome applications from adult writers actively engaged in a writing project and for whom a monetary boost could help further or complete the project. Applicants may be writing in any genre.
Awards
In 2022, The de Groot Foundation will award seven unrestricted grants of $7,000 each.
Eligibility
- Applications are open to individual adult writers regardless of race, ethnicity, gender orientation, education, economic situation, geographic origin or location.
- Applicants must be individuals. Companies or organization are not eligible.
- Applicants must be over 18 years of age at the time of the application deadline.
- Applicants must use their legal name, not a pen name.
- Applications are not open to family, members of the board or employees of the The de Groot Foundation or the selection committee.
- Applications must be submitted in English.
How to apply
Applications will be made through the Submittable platform.
There are three parts to the application.
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- A brief bio sketch of up to 120 words – this will be inserted into the application form.
- The letter of application* (1-3 pages) which must include:
- An introduction to the writing project for which you are seeking support. (1 to 3 paragraphs)
- How this project is important. (1 or 2 paragraphs)
- How the grant will be helpful to you at this time. (1 – 2 paragraphs)
- Anything else you would like us to know about you as a writer and your project. (1 paragraph)
- Five pages* of a current, unpublished writing project. Do not submit previously published writing.
*The letter of application and the five pages of a current writing project must be uploaded as a single document. You will submit your application through the Submittable platform, which you will be directed to. Please make sure your document is ready to send before uploading. Once you have submitted an application, you are unable to go back and change it.
Use Times New Roman 12-point font and double space your application document.
Timeline
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- Applications close at Midnight PDT on May 31, 2022.
- Recipients will be notified by late July, 2022.
- Grants will be awarded by the end of August 2022.
- Project reports due August 15, 2023.
Application Fee
The one-time application fee of $22.00 and will be paid through the Submittable platform at the time that you submit.
Selection
Selection committee decisions are final. Correspondence will only be entered into with finalist candidates.
Successful applicants will be asked to complete a Grant Acceptance Agreement and if appropriate, a US W-9 tax form. One year after receipt of funding, grantees are asked to complete and return a one-to-two-page final report so that we can learn about your project and the grant’s impact on your work.
APPLICATIONS for COURAGE to WRITE grants are NOW OPEN.
If you have unanswered questions, please review the Frequently Asked Questions below. If your question is not answered, click here.
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Frequently Asked Questions – COURAGE TO WRITE Grants
THE APPLICATION:
To whom should I address my letter of application? Dear Selection Committee,
May I apply using my pen name? No. Please use your legal name. In the application letter you can let us know your pen name.
May I submit more than one application? Yes. Each application is considered a new and complete application. You will follow all the guidelines for each application and pay the applications fee for each.
How should I format my application? Use Times New Roman, 12-point font, double-space. Poetry is an exception and may be single spaced. There is flexibility depending on the example you are submitting.
What can I do to make my application strong? We want to receive thoughtful, well-written proposals that reflect you, your commitment and passion. Consider your application as you would writing you are sending for review. Does it reflect your writing style? Polish and edit before you submit. Your application will be competing with other applications. Selection committees love applications that shine.
What is the application fee? The application fee for the Courage to Write grants is used to cover the reading fees for the reviewers and selection committee.
Is there an option of a fee waiver? Yes. Please contact us if you need a fee waiver. All fee waiver requests need to be made no later than three days before the close of applications. In 2022 that date is May 28. 2022. Send your request to: degrootfndgrants@gmail.com.
How flexible is the application deadline? The 2022 applications close at midnight PDT on May 31, 2022. We will not be able to accept applications after that time.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Are my application materials made public? No. Your applications materials are confidential. Any information about you that we would like to make public should you receive a grant, will be information that you give us permission to use. We like to publicize our awardees but will only use information an awardee has provided and given us permission to use.
LANGUAGE
May I submit my application in a language other than English? No, only applications submitted in English will be accepted.
ELIGIBILITY
Who is eligible to apply for a Courage to Write grant? Writers over age 18 who are working on a writing project. Applications are open to individual adult writers regardless of race, ethnicity, gender orientation, education, economic situation, geographic origin or location.
I write with a partner. Can we apply jointly for a grant? Only individuals are eligible for a grant. If you write with a partner, one of you can apply. Should you be awarded a grant, you are free to share the grant award with your partner. And, please discuss the partnership in your application.
Can organizations apply for a Courage to Write grant? No. Applicants must be individuals. Companies or organization are not eligible.
GENRES
Are all genres of writing considered? There is a not a preference for genre. Fiction, non-fiction, creative nonfiction, short-story, poetry, YA, children’s books, plays and screenplays are considered.
WRITING SAMPLE
Should I submit a writing sample that is related to the project for which I’m requesting funds, or may I submit a writing sample about anything? Your proposal is stronger if you writing sample is related to the project for which you are seeking funds.
What should I do if the five-page limit comes mid-paragraph? Consistency in style of application makes it easier for the submission committee to review your application. However, there are situations where going beyond the five pages is necessary.
What if my writing sample gets published before the close of the award submission date? Contact us if this happens and the selection committee will decide.
FINAL REPORT
Do I need to write a final report? Yes. All grant recipients will be asked to submit a brief final report. The final report lets The de Groot Foundation learn about the impact of this kind of funding for writers. Your report is an important gesture that paves the way for future awardees.
SELECTION COMMITTEE
Who is on the Courage to Write grant selection committee? Writers and professionals who appreciate the world of literary arts and the challenges of writers.
TIMELINE
When will I find out if I have received a grant? The top 30 finalists will be notified within about six weeks of the close of applications. Grant awardees will be notified within two months of the close of applications.
If I’m awarded a grant, how soon will I receive the grant funds? As soon as we have received your completed Grant Agreement and W-9 (if appropriate) form
OTHER
What is a grant acceptance agreement? A brief signed agreement between the granting agency, The de Groot Foundation, and the awardee specifying conditions, timeline, publicity and reporting agreements.
Do I have to pay taxes on the grant funds? Depending on your country of residence you will need to speak with your accountant to understand your tax implications. For US based recipients you will receive a W-9 taxpayer identification form to complete before receiving the funds.
If I do not receive a grant this year, may I apply again next year. Yes.
If I’m not a successful grant applicant, will I receive feedback about how to improve my application for another year? We do not provide individual feedback to unsuccessful candidates. We may put general feedback updates on the website to help people strengthen future applications. Selection committee decisions are final.
If you have a question that has not been answered, click here.