Focus Area: Youth Development

Grant Amount: $10,000

Located in Minneapolis. Founded in 2009, 826 MSP empowers underserved K-12 students to think creatively, write effectively, and succeed academically with the help of volunteer coaches. 826 MSP offers 5 free in-school and out-of-school writing programs: after-school writing lab through the school year, storytelling and bookmaking field trips for 2nd-4th grade classes, the Writers’ Room satellite space located at South High School, the annual Young Authors’ Book Project that results in a professionally published anthology, and creative writing workshops on weekends and in the summer.

Grant supports 826 MSP’s After-School Writing Lab, in which trained volunteers and 826 MSP staff provide academic support and creative writing leading to publication for youth in grades K-12. Funding will focus on the younger youth, serving 40 mostly Somali youth. They are incorporating a Writing & Music theme in response to student feedback, and they are planning an East African symphonic fairytale in collaboration with guest artists.