If you have attended a Florida Writers Conference, you may have seen “FWA,” “FWF” and “the Foundation” used in various conference materials or on signs in the hall. Even among Florida Writers Association (FWA) veteran members, there has been some confusion about what the Foundation is and what it does. I am excited to share the purpose of the Foundation and spread the word about what we hope to do to affect change.
What does the Foundation do?
The Florida Writers Foundation, Inc. (FWF), is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Our goal is to promote reading literacy, and also enhance the writing skills of children, youth, and adults. FWF provides grants to schools and initiatives.
In the past, we have partnered with the Florida Library Association and the Florida Literacy Coalition. We currently sponsor the publication, Cross Creek Chronicle, a compilation of student and teacher writing of Pinellas County Elementary Schools. We also sponsor an anthology at Chiles Academy in Daytona Beach, which serves an eclectic and diverse community of pregnant and parenting teens.
Silent Auction: Let’s go shopping!
Florida Writers Association’s 1500+ members help us to raise funds every year at their conference! The Foundation hosts their Silent Auction at FWA’s conference. This year’s conference is October 17-20. Hundreds of writers, editors, and publishers gather at the Hilton Orlando/Altamonte Springs for a weekend of writing workshops, networking opportunities, and award presentations. The Silent Auction will be a featured event, and the many items up for bid will be shown on FWF’s website: https://floridawritersfoundation.net.
Celebrity Workshop on October 17, 2019!
The Foundation sponsors an all-day workshop at the same location and before the start of the Florida Writers Conference. You do not have to attend the Florida Writers Conference or even be a member of the Florida Writers Association in order to participate in the Celebrity Workshop.
On October 17, the Foundation presents Jonathan Maberry, a New York Times best-selling suspense author. Jonathan is also a multiple Bram Stoker Award-winner, editor, comic book writer, magazine feature writer, playwright, content creator and writing teacher/lecturer. He was named one of Today’s Top Ten Horror Writers. His books have been sold to more than two-dozen countries.
FWF workshops always provide essential writing advice and information to FWA member authors. Attending the workshop also helps to provide funds for FWF-sponsored programs. Attendees are free after the workshop to go into the city to eat dinner and socialize with their FWA writing friends from all over the state.
You can find Celebrity Workshop details and registration here…
Got a grant idea?
We encourage all who would like to apply for an FWF grant to help promote literacy to do so. Got an idea? Applicants please submit a packet that includes a cover letter, the application from the FWF website, and the requested documents.
Application Process
- Please visit our website floridawritersfoundation.net to download the appropriate application.
- Scholarship applications should be submitted by May 1, and grant applications by September 1.
- The Committee will review the applications and notify applicants within two months whether they have been selected.
- Public announcement of the scholarships and grants will be made at the Florida Writers Foundation Celebrity Workshop in the fall. Recipients will be invited to the conference, where they will be given the funds.
Reapplying the Following Year
Applicants who were not selected to receive a scholarship or grant are welcome to reapply the next year. Those who were selected to receive funds are also welcome to reapply the following year. Recipients of an award do not automatically receive funds the next time around. Each award is a one-time scholarship or grant.
Getting the Word Out
The Florida Writers Foundation wants as many organizations as possible to know about the opportunities to apply for the FWF grants. Information will be disseminated electronically by email and social media. We will include the information in our all conference materials and announcements. Plus, we’ll issue a news release for the award announcements at the fall Florida Writers Foundation Celebrity Workshop.
Follow-up for Grant Recipients
Representatives of the organization should report back with photographs and event results of the grant-supported program or project.
For more information, contact Melody Dimick, Florida Writers Foundation President.
