826 New Orleans

826 New Orleans provides space and support for young people to tell their stories and become published authors. We cultivate, support, and amplify the voices of young writers ages 3-18 through free, creative collaborations with schools and communities

With your support, 826 New Orleans has nurtured over 4,000 young authors, providing free programs and publishing opportunities. Whether we’re diving into the page with students exploring fantasy lands with talking alligators or delivering high school workshops on the duty of artists in our world, we believe that writing is the great equalizer and can be a catalyst for social change. Our programs are designed to give students the skills they need to write their own paths forward.  

We offer a variety of free programs that provide public school students with opportunities to develop their writing skills and become published authors. Our vision is to develop a culture of literacy in New Orleans where young writers have the space, choice, time, and support they need to express themselves confidently and in their own voice. Together, we can continue to share youth stories, creating a platform for young people to reclaim their narratives. 

Your gift today supports our budding wordsmiths in exploring the depths of their imagination, understanding the power of their voice, and embody the essence of their stories.

Match Opportunity

We have a $25,000 match from a generous donor. This means that when you donate to 826 New Orleans, your donation will be doubled (up to $5000 will be matched). Your donations will help launch our student publications and support an upcoming strategic planning process where we will engage supporters across the community in defining the future of 826 New Orleans. 

Scribes Level. Your donation of $250 will be doubled to $500.
$500 covers the cost of 10 hours of our Wee Write x Reading Buddies program, where 20 young children are paired with teen volunteers to explore reading and writing stories. 

Writers’ Guild Level. Your donation of $500 will be doubled to $1000. 
$1000 covers 1 stipend for a student member in our Young Writers Collective; A space where an editorial team of high school students gather bi-weekly to write and lead an annual publication dedicated to amplifying social justice issues. 

Legacy Level. Your donation of $1000 will be doubled to $2000. 
$2000 covers the cost of the design, editing, and publishing of original student writing into 50 perfect bound books. 

BirthWRITE Level. Your donation of $5000 will be doubled to $10,000. $10,000 covers the cost of hiring local teaching artists to facilitate writing workshops to New Orleans youth.

Learn more about our free programs and exciting projects at www.826neworleans.org.

Testimonials

"An adult hears your ideas-they listen, and then they put it in a book. That's empowering." -A, Grade 8, Workshop Student

"I realized my daughter is a writer by listening to her read her stories." - L, Workshop Parent

"People come here so they can write a lot, learn, and have fun!" --J, Grade 1, After School student