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Form 990-PFTax year 2024EIN 36-2490808

The Poetry Foundation

A private foundation in Chicago, IL. Its return for tax year 2024 lists 179 grants and $4.2 million paid in grants.

See which foundations fund work like yours Matching by cause, place and grant size

Tax year 2024 (period ending Dec 31, 2024), read from the IRS e-file on Nov 11, 2026. Returns reach the IRS 5 to 18 months after the year they describe.

How to apply

Accepts applications

The return gives an application contact and rules, as below.

Contact
Michelle T Boone President
61 W Superior Street
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 799-8072
[email protected]
Form and materials
The foundation awards grants to us-based nonprofit organizations through multiple initiatives including equity in verse and poetry programs, partnerships, and innovation. Using a competitive application review process, grants are awarded in the form of general operating support for poetry-based nonprofit organizations and in the form of program support for poetry programs at nonprofit organizations.
Deadlines
Guidelines and deadlines are available on the FND'S website at www.poetryfoundation.org/grants
Restrictions
Contact the organization

Assets and giving by year

7 returns on file
Grants paid by tax year. The latest year is in blue.

  • Tax year 2024

    $4,207,326

    Grants listed
    179
    Assets, end of year
    $313,179,597

  • Tax year 2023

    $3,524,622

    Grants listed
    163
    Assets, end of year
    $300,431,923

  • Tax year 2022

    $4,312,460

    Grants listed
    414
    Assets, end of year
    $292,503,710

  • Tax year 2021

    $1,997,470

    Grants listed
    280
    Assets, end of year
    $341,014,923

  • Tax year 2020

    $1,266,603

    Grants listed
    38
    Assets, end of year
    $318,692,609

  • Tax year 2019

    $1,315,846

    Grants listed
    272
    Assets, end of year
    $294,153,882

  • Tax year 2018

    $1,386,105

    Grants listed
    265
    Assets, end of year
    $257,114,576

Grants paid in 2024

179 grants, largest first

As listed on the return. Grants to individuals show as “Individual”, with purpose and amount only.

  1. Mid Atlantic ArtsBaltimore, MD

    Grant for poetry out loud

    $500,000
  2. Individual

    [individual]

    $114,204
  3. University of Nebraska FoundationLincoln, NE

    Special projects and opportunities grant for african poetry book fund at the university of nebraska

    $106,122
  4. Individual

    Ruth lilly poetry prize

    $100,000
  5. Community of Literary Magazines and PressesNew York, NY

    Poetry programs, partnerships and innovation grant

    $60,000
  6. Cave CanemBrooklyn, NY

    Equity in verse grant

    $55,000
  7. Board of Trustees at Illinois State UniversityNormal, IL

    Equity in verse grant for obsidian: literature & arts in the african diaspora

    $50,000
  8. Community Literature InitiativeLos Angeles, CA

    Equity in verse grant

    $50,000
  9. Ideas XlabLouisville, KY

    Special opportunities grant

    $50,000
  10. Poetry Center of ChicagoChicago, IL

    Poetry programs, partnerships and innovation grant

    $50,000
  11. Poets House IncNew York, NY

    Poetry programs, partnerships and innovation grant

    $50,000
  12. Third World Press Foundation IncChicago, IL

    Equity in verse grant

    $50,000
  13. Woodland Pattern IncMilwaukee, WI

    Equity in verse grant for in-na-po, indigenous nations poets

    $50,000
  14. Taller Comunidad La Goyco IncSan Juan, PR

    Equity in verse grant

    $45,000
  15. Woodland Pattern IncMilwaukee, WI

    Poetry programs, partnerships and innovation grant

    $45,000
  16. Young Chicago AuthorsChicago, IL

    Equity in verse grant

    $45,000
  17. Academy of American Poets IncNew York, NY

    Poetry programs, partnerships and innovation grant

    $40,000
  18. Cardboard House PressProvidence, RI

    Equity in verse grant

    $40,000
  19. Citylit Project IncBaltimore, MD

    Equity in verse grant

    $40,000
  20. Guild ComplexChicago, IL

    Equity in verse grant

    $40,000
  21. James Madison University FoundationHarrisonburg, VA

    Equity in verse grant for furious flower poetry center

    $40,000
  22. Kuumba LynxChicago, IL

    Equity in verse grant

    $40,000
  23. Mass PoetryBoston, MA

    Poetry programs, partnerships and innovation grant

    $40,000
  24. Minnesota Prison Writing WorkshopMinneapolis, MN

    Poetry programs, partnerships and innovation grant

    $40,000
  25. Noemi PressTucson, AZ

    Equity in verse grant

    $40,000
  26. O Miami IncMiami, FL

    Equity in verse grant

    $40,000
  27. Poetic Justice IncorporatedTulsa, OK

    Poetry programs, partnerships and innovation grant

    $40,000
  28. Radical ReversalBloomfield, NJ

    Equity in verse grant

    $40,000
  29. Split This RockWashington, DC

    Equity in verse grant

    $40,000
  30. Torch Literary ArtsRound Rock, TX

    Equity in verse grant

    $40,000
  31. Youth Speaks IncSan Francisco, CA

    Equity in verse grant

    $40,000
  32. Bamboo Ridge PressHonolulu, HI

    Equity in verse grant

    $35,000
  33. Letras Latinas at University of Notre Dames Institute for Latino StudiesNotre Dame, IN

    Equity in verse grant

    $35,000
  34. O Miami IncMiami, FL

    Poetry programs, partnerships and innovation grant

    $35,000
  35. Reading Between the LinesChicago, IL

    Equity in verse grant

    $35,000
  36. The Care CenterHolyoke, MA

    Poetry programs, partnerships and innovation grant

    $35,000
  37. Words of the PeopleTulsa, OK

    Equity in verse grant

    $35,000
  38. World Poetry BooksNew York, NY

    Poetry programs, partnerships and innovation grant

    $35,000
  39. Alice James Poetry Cooperative IncNew Gloucester, ME

    Poetry programs, partnerships and innovation grant

    $30,000
  40. American Poetry MuseumWashington, DC

    Equity in verse grant

    $30,000
  41. Contextos NFPChicago, IL

    Equity in verse grant

    $30,000
  42. Hub City Writers ProjectSpartanburg, SC

    Poetry programs, partnerships and innovation grant

    $30,000
  43. Insideout Literary ArtsDetroit, MI

    Equity in verse grant

    $30,000
  44. Nightboat Books IncBrooklyn, NY

    Poetry programs, partnerships and innovation grant

    $30,000
  45. Street Poets IncLos Angeles, CA

    Poetry programs, partnerships and innovation grant

    $30,000
  46. Teachers and Writers CollaborativeNew York, NY

    Equity in verse grant

    $30,000
  47. The Beautiful ProjectDurham, NC

    Equity in verse grant

    $30,000
  48. Words Beats and Life IncWashington, DC

    Poetry programs, partnerships and innovation grant

    $30,000
  49. Individual

    Lilly-rosenberg fellow

    $27,000
  50. Individual

    Lilly-rosenberg fellow

    $27,000
  51. Individual

    Lilly-rosenberg fellow

    $27,000
  52. Individual

    Lilly-rosenberg fellow

    $27,000
  53. Individual

    Lilly-rosenberg fellow

    $27,000
  54. Bronzeville Black Chicagoan Historical SocietyChicago, IL

    Special projects and opportunities grant

    $26,000
  55. Alegria Bilingual Bookstores & Arts Collective CorpPacific Palisades, CA

    Equity in verse grant

    $25,000
  56. American Writers MuseumChicago, IL

    Special projects and opportunities grant

    $25,000
  57. Burst Into BooksChicago, IL

    Equity in verse grant

    $25,000
  58. Individual

    Pegasus young peoples poet laureate

    $25,000
  59. Chicago Theatre GroupChicago, IL

    Special projects and opportunities grant

    $25,000
  60. Community PartnersLos Angeles, CA

    Poetry programs, partnerships and innovation grant for writegirl

    $25,000
  61. Grantmakers in the ArtsNew York, NY

    Special projects and opportunities grant

    $25,000
  62. Individual

    Pegasus award for service in poetry

    $25,000
  63. Lugar Comun IncMiami Beach, FL

    Equity in verse grant

    $25,000
  64. MacdowellPeterborough, NH

    Special opportunities grant

    $25,000
  65. Make Literary Productions NFPChicago, IL

    Poetry programs, partnerships and innovation grant

    $25,000
  66. National Book Foundation IncNew York, NY

    Special opportunities grant

    $25,000
  67. National Poetry Series IncSpring Lake, NJ

    Poetry programs, partnerships and innovation grant

    $25,000
  68. Pen AmericaNew York, NY

    Special opportunities grant

    $25,000
  69. Resilience Partners NFPChicago, IL

    Equity in verse grant for stomping grounds literary arts initiative

    $25,000
  70. Shout Mouse Press IncWashington, DC

    Poetry programs, partnerships and innovation grant

    $25,000
  71. The Watering Hole Poetry OrganizationYork, SC

    Equity in verse grant

    $25,000
  72. Ugly Duckling PresseBrooklyn, NY

    Poetry programs, partnerships and innovation grant

    $25,000
  73. Under the Volcano International IncNew York, NY

    Poetry programs, partnerships and innovation grant

    $25,000
  74. Words Without BordersBrooklyn, NY

    Poetry programs, partnerships and innovation grant

    $25,000
  75. 826CHI Inc NFPChicago, IL

    Poetry programs, partnerships and innovation grant

    $22,500
  76. Academy of American Poets IncNew York, NY

    Special projects and opportunities grant

    $21,500
  77. American Library AssociationChicago, IL

    Special projects and opportunities grant

    $20,000
  78. Arizona State University FoundationTempe, AZ

    Equity in verse grant for cantomundo

    $20,000
  79. Artes de Mexico En UtahSalt Lake Cty, UT

    Equity in verse grant

    $20,000
  80. Cavankerry Press OfficeFort Lee, NJ

    Poetry programs, partnerships and innovation grant

    $20,000
  81. Council to Advance and Support Tier III DBA Words to PowerDenver, CO

    Equity in verse grant

    $20,000
  82. CrownkeepersCharlotte, NC

    Equity in verse grant for sistories

    $20,000
  83. Fractured AtlasNew York, NY

    Equity in verse grant for the philly pigeon

    $20,000
  84. Hermitage Artist Retreat IncEnglewood, FL

    Poetry programs, partnerships and innovation grant

    $20,000
  85. John Walt Foundation IncChicago, IL

    Equity in verse grant

    $20,000
  86. Museum of Contemporary ArtChicago, IL

    Special opportunities grant

    $20,000
  87. Pennsylvania Avenue Black Arts and Entertainment District IncBaltimore, MD

    Special opportunities grant

    $20,000
  88. People & Storiesgente Y CuentosLawrenceville, NJ

    Poetry programs, partnerships and innovation grant

    $20,000
  89. Small Press Distribution IncBerkeley, CA

    Special opportunities grant

    $20,000
  90. Small Press TrafficSan Francisco, CA

    Special opportunities grant

    $20,000
  91. Sundress PublicationsOak Ridge, TN

    Poetry programs, partnerships and innovation grant

    $20,000
  92. The Gemini Series IncSan Antonio, TX

    Poetry programs, partnerships and innovation grant

    $20,000
  93. Wordplay CincyCincinnati, OH

    Equity in verse grant

    $20,000
  94. Burst Into BooksChicago, IL

    Special projects and opportunities grant

    $15,000
  95. Flood Editions NFPChicago, IL

    Poetry programs, partnerships and innovation grant

    $15,000
  96. Illinois HumanitiesChicago, IL

    Special opportunities grant

    $15,000
  97. Imagine for AllWimberley, TX

    Equity in verse grant for infrarrealista review

    $15,000
  98. Kalamazoo Poetry FestivalKalamazoo, MI

    Poetry programs, partnerships and innovation grant

    $15,000
  99. Northwest New Mexico Arts CouncilFarmington, NM

    Equity in verse grant

    $15,000
  100. Peace Development FundAmherst, MA

    Equity in verse grant for brew and forge

    $15,000
  101. Prison and Neighborhood Arts ProjectChicago, IL

    Special opportunities grant

    $15,000
  102. Public Media InstituteChicago, IL

    Equity in verse grant for contratiempo NFP

    $15,000
  103. Puha HubiyaAlbuquerque, NM

    Equity in verse grant

    $15,000
  104. Sinister Wisdom IncDover, FL

    Poetry programs, partnerships and innovation grant

    $15,000
  105. The Griot Collective of West TennesseeJackson, TN

    Special opportunities grant

    $15,000
  106. Thurber House IncColumbus, OH

    Poetry programs, partnerships and innovation grant

    $14,000
  107. Court Theatre FundChicago, IL

    Special projects and opportunities grant

    $10,000
  108. Individual

    Pegasus criticism award

    $10,000
  109. Flint Zeta FoundationFlint, MI

    Special projects and opportunities grant

    $10,000
  110. Foglifter PressSan Francisco, CA

    Equity in verse grant

    $10,000
  111. Futurepoem IncNew York, NY

    Poetry programs, partnerships and innovation grant

    $10,000
  112. Hai Foundation (city of Asylum Detroit)Detroit, MI

    Poetry programs, partnerships and innovation grant

    $10,000
  113. Hips RoadNew York, NY

    Equity in verse grant for atelos

    $10,000
  114. Kent State UniversityKent, OH

    Special projects and opportunities grant for wick poetry center

    $10,000
  115. Lucky JeffersonBerwyn, IL

    Equity in verse grant

    $10,000
  116. MiznaSaint Paul, MN

    Equity in verse grant for poetry online

    $10,000
  117. Music and Dance Theater Chicago IncChicago, IL

    Special opportunities grant

    $10,000
  118. Near South Planning BoardChicago, IL

    Special opportunities grant

    $10,000
  119. One Book One New OrleansNew Orleans, LA

    Poetry programs, partnerships and innovation grant

    $10,000
  120. Poetry Forum IncEvanston, IL

    Poetry programs, partnerships and innovation grant

    $10,000
  121. Poetry NorthwestEverett, WA

    Special opportunities grant

    $10,000
  122. Public PoetryHouston, TX

    Poetry programs, partnerships and innovation grant

    $10,000
  123. San Antonio Festival of Books IncSan Antonio, TX

    Poetry programs, partnerships and innovation grant

    $10,000
  124. Sarabande BooksLouisville, KY

    Special opportunities grant

    $10,000
  125. Snow City Arts FoundationChicago, IL

    Poetry programs, partnerships and innovation grant

    $10,000
  126. Chicago Literary Hall of FameChicago, IL

    Special projects and opportunities grant

    $7,500
  127. Ether Sea Projects Inc DBA Litmus PressBrooklyn, NY

    Small press bridge grant

    $6,500
  128. Tupelo Press IncNorth Adams, MA

    Small press bridge grant

    $6,400
  129. Chax Press IncTucson, AZ

    Small press bridge grant

    $6,000
  130. Community of Literary Magazines and PressesNew York, NY

    Small press bridge grant for hanging loose press

    $6,000
  131. Counterpath PressDenver, CO

    Small press bridge grant

    $6,000
  132. Dos Madres Press IncLoveland, OH

    Small press bridge grant

    $6,000
  133. Fonograf EditionsPortland, OR

    Small press bridge grant

    $6,000
  134. Grid BooksMarblehead, MA

    Small press bridge grant

    $6,000
  135. Kore Press IncTucson, AZ

    Small press bridge grant

    $6,000
  136. Off the Park Press Inc Black Square EditionsNew York, NY

    Small press bridge grant

    $6,000
  137. Du - Disegno UniversaleBoston, MA

    Small press bridge grant for un-gyve press

    $5,500
  138. Segue Foundation Inc (roof Books)New York, NY

    Small press bridge grant

    $5,400
  139. Belladonna SeriesBrooklyn, NY

    Small press bridge grant

    $5,000
  140. Chicago Public Library FoundationChicago, IL

    Special projects and opportunities grant

    $5,000
  141. FJC - A Foundation of Donor Advised FundsNew York, NY

    Special projects and opportunities grant

    $5,000
  142. Green Linden PressGrinnell, IA

    Poetry programs, partnerships and innovation grant

    $5,000
  143. Illinois Arts AllianceChicago, IL

    Special opportunities grant

    $5,000
  144. Lambda Literary FoundationNew York, NY

    Special opportunities grant

    $5,000
  145. Public Media InstituteChicago, IL

    Special opportunities grant for contratiempo NFP

    $5,000
  146. Third World Press Foundation IncChicago, IL

    Special opportunities grant

    $5,000
  147. Kelsey Street PressBerkeley, CA

    Small press bridge grant

    $4,500
  148. Poetry Center of ChicagoChicago, IL

    Special opportunities grant

    $4,500
  149. Silverfish Review PressEugene, OR

    Small press bridge grant

    $4,500
  150. Rose Metal Press IncBrookline, MA

    Small press bridge grant

    $4,200
  151. Aunt Lute FoundationSan Francisco, CA

    Small press bridge grant

    $4,000
  152. Hips RoadNew York, NY

    Small press bridge grant for atelos

    $4,000
  153. Inprint IncHouston, TX

    Small press bridge grant for veliz books

    $4,000
  154. Marsh Hawk PressEast Rockaway, NY

    Small press bridge grant

    $4,000
  155. PassagerPikesville, MD

    Small press bridge grant

    $4,000
  156. Word Works IncWashington, DC

    Small press bridge grant

    $4,000
  157. Drunken BoatProvidence, RI

    Small press bridge grant

    $3,500
  158. Perugia Press IncFlorence, MA

    Small press bridge grant

    $3,500
  159. The Graduate Center Foundation IncNew York, NY

    Small press bridge grant

    $3,250
  160. Airlie PressPortland, OR

    Small press bridge grant

    $3,000
  161. Sixteen Rivers Press IncSan Francisco, CA

    Small press bridge grant

    $3,000
  162. Media AllianceSan Francisco, CA

    Small press bridge grant for krupskaya books

    $2,750
  163. Before Columbus FoundationOakland, CA

    Special projects and opportunities grant

    $2,500
  164. Bordighera IncorporatedNew York, NY

    Small press bridge grant

    $2,500
  165. Elj Editions CorpWashingtonvle, NY

    Small press bridge grant

    $2,500
  166. Kenning Editions NFPOak Park, IL

    Small press bridge grant

    $2,500
  167. Individual

    Lilly-rosenberg fellowship finalist

    $2,000
  168. Individual

    Lilly-rosenberg fellowship finalist

    $2,000
  169. Ashland UniversityAshland, OH

    Small press bridge grant for ashland poetry press

    $2,000
  170. Bridge Art NFPChicago, IL

    Small press bridge grant

    $2,000
  171. Individual

    Lilly-rosenberg fellowship finalist

    $2,000
  172. Individual

    Lilly-rosenberg fellowship finalist

    $2,000
  173. Individual

    Lilly-rosenberg fellowship finalist

    $2,000
  174. Individual

    Lilly-rosenberg fellowship finalist

    $2,000
  175. Individual

    Lilly-rosenberg fellowship finalist

    $2,000
  176. Green Linden PressGrinnell, IA

    Small press bridge grant

    $1,800
  177. Visual Arts ExchangeRaleigh, NC

    Small press bridge grant for birds LLC

    $1,500
  178. Verge Books NFPChicago, IL

    Small press bridge grant

    $1,200
  179. Switchback Books CorporationDenver, CO

    Small press bridge grant

    $500

Where the money goes

By cause: grants to organizations we matched to the IRS list of exempt organizations, by their category.

  1. Arts and culture81 grants $1,937,15070% of the total
  2. Education11 grants $295,82211% of the total
  3. Human services7 grants $205,0007% of the total
  4. Community development4 grants $105,0004% of the total
  5. International aid3 grants $70,0003% of the total
  6. Crime and legal aid1 grant $40,0001% of the total
  7. 4 other causes5 grants $95,0003% of the total

By State

Grants to organizations with a US address, latest year.

  1. Illinois38 grants $746,200
  2. New York29 grants $566,650
  3. Maryland4 grants $564,000
  4. California14 grants $251,750
  5. Florida5 grants $135,000
  6. District of Columbia5 grants $129,000
  7. Nebraska1 grant $106,122
  8. New Jersey4 grants $105,000
  9. Massachusetts7 grants $100,600
  10. Texas6 grants $99,000

Officers, directors and trustees

22 people as filed

As filed on the return, with average hours per week and pay from the foundation.

  • Michelle BoonePRESIDENT Hours 40Pay $422,894
  • Caren YanisTRUSTEE-THRU APRIL 2024 Hours 2Pay $0
  • Eugene LoweVICE CHAIR Hours 2Pay $0
  • Kary McIlwainVICE CHAIR-THRU APRIL 2024 Hours 2Pay $0
  • Andrew JacobsFINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIR Hours 2Pay $0
  • Stuart MillerAUDIT COMMITTEE CHAIR Hours 2Pay $0
  • Angel YsaguirreEQUITY COMM CHAIR Hours 2Pay $0
  • John BrackenTRUSTEE Hours 2Pay $0
  • Cecilia ConradTRUSTEE-THRU APRIL 2024 Hours 2Pay $0
  • Gwendolyn Perry DavisBOARD CHAIR Hours 2Pay $0
  • Fabiola DelgadoTRUSTEE Hours 2Pay $0
  • Michael FassnachtTRUSTEE Hours 2Pay $0
  • Deborah GillespieTRUSTEE Hours 2Pay $0
  • Marguerite GriffinTRUSTEE Hours 2Pay $0
  • Parneshia JonesTRUSTEE Hours 2Pay $0
  • Marc Bamuthi JosephTRUSTEE Hours 2Pay $0
  • Lindsey PeckinpaughTRUSTEE Hours 2Pay $0
  • Lynne ThompsonTRUSTEE Hours 2Pay $0
  • Joe BrocatoTRUSTEE-STARTED SEPT 2024 Hours 2Pay $0
  • Jennifer CastellerCHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Hours 40Pay $272,304
  • Deepa GuptaTRUSTEE-STARTED SEPT 2024 Hours 2Pay $0
  • Greg ThompsonTRUSTEE-STARTED SEPT 2024 Hours 2Pay $0

The return

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