Special Opportunities

In addition to general operating support grants, the Poetry Foundation provides limited support for other activities, including sponsoring annual national events that celebrate poets and poetry; supporting Midwest-based poetry initiatives; underwriting poetry fellowships, residencies, and laureateships; and contributing to collaborative funding initiatives such as the Literary Arts Fund.

Sponsorship of annual national events celebrating poets and poetry

The Poetry Foundation considers sponsorship opportunities for organizations that host significant annual national events that celebrate and elevate poets and poetry. Please see the list of past recipients below for examples of the types of sponsorships the Foundation provides.

Support for Midwest-based poetry events and programs

The Poetry Foundation is committed to its home region of the Midwest and considers support for programs and activities that increase access to poetry in the region.

Support for poets through underwriting poetry fellowships, residencies, or laureateships

While the grants program does not provide direct support to individual poets, the Foundation supports opportunities for poets by underwriting fellowships, residencies, and laureateships at nonprofit organizations.The Foundation also provides direct support to poets through its awards program and paid opportunities through the Foundation.

Literary Arts Fund

The Poetry Foundation is a founding funder of the Literary Arts Fund, a five-year, $50 million initiative launched in 2025 and dedicated to strengthening the literary arts by increasing funding for nonprofit literary organizations that support creative writers. For more information about the Literary Arts Fund, please visit its website. Please note that the Literary Arts Fund’s application process and staff are separate from those of the Poetry Foundation. The Poetry Foundation does not participate in or influence the funding decisions of the Literary Arts Fund.