As avid readers, we're always on the lookout for new authors and new titles. So what better way to make sure there will always be new authors than to help train the next generation of aspiring kids. Not only will they gain appreciation for the writing process itself, but the confidence this gives them will allow them to succeed in other areas of learning.

Mighty Writers' mission is to teach Philadelphia kids to think and write with clarity. Our free programs combat the literacy crisis in a city where nearly half of high school students drop out and some 50% of working-age adults are functionally illiterate (can't read bank statements, fill out job applications or easily comprehend news articles).

Today, Mighty Writers offers year-round writing programs for some 1,000 kids and teens, ages seven to 17, with help from 300 volunteers. At our headquarters in one of Philadelphia's historic neighborhoods, we offer an after-school writing academy, themed writing workshops, one-on-one mentorships, a weekly teen lounge, SAT preparatory courses and college essay writing classes. Our programs draw students from more than 125 city schools (public, parochial, magnet, charter, cyber, home) and an array of communities.

Girls Write Now helps mentor girls so they can develop writing skills, leading to a more successful future no matter what path they decide to choose.

Distinguished as one of the top 15 after-school arts and culture programs in the nation by The President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, Girls Write Now is New York's first and only organization with a writing and mentoring model exclusively for girls. From young women exploring writing to seasoned professionals practicing their craft every day, GWN is a community of women writers dedicated to providing guidance, support, and opportunities for high school girls to develop their creative, independent voices and write their way to a better future.

Over the past 15 years, more than 4,500 underserved teen girls have benefitted from the GWN community and 100% of seniors in our flagship mentoring program go on to college—bringing with them portfolios, awards, scholarships, new skills, and a sense of confidence. Girls Write Now has built a record of achievement and innovation recognized twice by the White House, by The New York Times, and the MacArthur Foundation, and evidenced by the hundreds of Scholastic Art & Writing awards our girls have earned.

Challenger Center for Space Science Education offers dynamic, hands-on exploration and discovery opportunities to students around the world. These programs equip students with the knowledge, confidence, and skills that will help better our national social and economic well-being.

Our unique and proven teaching model – Challenger Learning Centers – gives students the chance to become astronauts and engineers and solve real-world problems as they share the thrill of discovery on missions through the Solar System. Using space simulation and role-playing strategies, students bring their classroom studies to life and cultivate the skills needed for future success. Learning Centers reach into communities around the globe, engaging more than 400,000 middle school-age students and 40,000 educators each year.

Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the First Amendment rights of the comics medium.

Our work takes us into courtrooms, classrooms, conventions and libraries all over the United States where we provide legal aid, education, and advocacy to protect the First Amendment rights of the readers, creators, retailers, publishers, and librarians of comics, manga, and graphic novels.

Pixelles is a non-profit initiative committed to helping more women make and change games. We're based in Montreal, and have already succeeded in building a supportive community of game creators, both hobbyist and professional.

We believe that knowledge is the greatest gift you can offer. We also believe that people are essentially good, and those who have extra resources through talent or birth are often moved to help others not so fortunate. Through education, we can change people's lives and make the world a better place.

We remember that Janis Ian’s mother Pearl, suffering from Multiple Sclerosis, was given a new lease on life because of her time at Goddard College’s program for returning students . We aim, in our own small way, to provide that "new lease" to all our participants.

The Pearl Foundation is funded solely through the donations of fans, friends, and Janis Ian and Patricia Snyder. We don't have board meetings in Puerto Rico or pay any salaries; everything but our tax preparation is donated.

SFWA is a professional organization for authors of science fiction, fantasy and related genres. Esteemed past and present members include Robert Silverberg, Anne McCaffrey, Isaac Asimov, Connie Willis, Ray Bradbury, Gene Wolfe and Andre Norton.

SFWA informs, supports, promotes, defends and advocates for its members. We host the prestigious Nebula Awards, assist members in legal disputes with publishers, and administer benevolent funds for authors facing medical or legal expenses. Novice authors benefit from our Information Center and the well-known Writer Beware site.

Nebulas 09SFWA members look out for each other and provide assistance, mentorship, and camaraderie. Between online discussion forums, private convention suites, and a host of less formal gatherings, SFWA is a source of information, education, support, and fellowship for its authors.

The Prisoners Literature Project is, a vitally important all-volunteer, non-profit group that sends donated books - over 2,000 per month in more than 800 packages - directly to prisoners throughout the United States.

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) believes stories matter. The event began in 1999, and in 2005, National Novel Writing Month became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

NaNoWriMo’s programs now include National Novel Writing Month in November, Camp NaNoWriMo, the Young Writers Program, Come Write In, and the “Now What?” Months.

My program is called Be A Santa. Since 1996, I have been providing a holiday for 120 teenagers, 12-18 years old, who wouldn't otherwise have one. They live in a group home called Penny Lane.

Penny Lane is a very special place, where kids who have been so abused, they cannot be placed in a regular foster home situation. They have a safe haven in Penny Lane, and they go to school and learn how to become the person they want to be.

I provide a holiday party where they have dinner and music, and then Father Christmas comes and gives each teen a bag full of goodies and a gift card good for any store in the local mall.

I have done this through special people like Kevin and Rebecca Anderson and the sci fi fans on my Facebook Page.

I always need help!

SWRO is dedicated to saving the lives of countless felines by rescuing abused, abandoned and homeless cats, providing veterinary care and shelter until they can be placed into a loving home. We are a volunteer organization which relies solely on monetary donations. All funds go directly toward the care of the cats we rescue.

The mission of the Computer History Museum is to preserve and present for posterity the artifacts and stories of the Information Age.

The Computer History Museum is a nonprofit organization with a four-decade history as the world’s leading institution exploring the history of computing and its ongoing impact on society. The Museum is dedicated to the preservation and celebration of computer history and is home to the largest international collection of computing artifacts in the world, encompassing computer hardware, software, documentation, ephemera, photographs, oral histories, and moving images.

The Museum brings computer history to life through large-scale exhibits, an acclaimed speaker series, a dynamic website, docent-led tours and an award-winning education program.

Superstars Writing Seminars (SSWS) is an intense business seminar—a drink-from-the-fire-hose deluge of real-world information designed to help attendees better navigate the pitfalls of publishing—targeted to serious writers looking to break in or enhance their career. This seminar can be a life-changing experience.

Superstars offers scholarships each year to writers who would otherwise be unable to attend due to financial circumstances. Scholarships are funded by sales of anthologies published by WordFire Press (below) as well as by contributions from individuals. All monies received by the scholarship fund are distributed to scholarship winners in the form of SSWS registrations, without a single penny subtracted for administrative costs.

Since 1992, SMART has been pairing caring adult volunteers with children to provide reading support and books to take home and keep. SMART volunteers read one-on-one with students weekly during the school year, modeling a love of reading and building children’s reading skills and self-confidence in a positive, child-guided environment.

The intention of SMART is to provide early reading support, access to books and community engagement to positively impact literacy outcomes and provide equitable opportunity for all kids.

The SMART program complements reading curriculum and instruction and is intended to build confident, lifelong readers who enjoy reading and use it as a tool for learning.

The Video Game History Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to cataloging, digitizing, and preserving the history of video games.

In order to know how and why games were made, how they were advertised and sold, and even how they were seen by players of their time, historians and researchers rely on ephemeral materials - artwork, interviews, reviews, packaging, advertising, internal documentation, and more - to tell a complete story.

Without an organized effort to collect, document, and preserve these materials - which the Video Game History Foundation is helping to lead - there is a very real danger of losing them forever.

AbleGamers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that enables people with disabilities to enjoy the amazing world of video games. In America alone, over 33 million gamers with disabilities need specialized, custom controllers and assistive technology in order to enter the same virtual worlds as everyone else. Since 2006 AbleGamers has enabled thousands of individuals with disabilities to have a greater quality of life by providing these expensive pieces of assistive technology to children, adults and veterans with disabilities who need help overcoming the social isolation being disabled can bring. AbleGamers has helped tens of thousands of people with disabilities through one-on-one consultation and building a customized solution for each individual, tailored to their specific needs.

For more information, please visit www.AbleGamers.org

WHAT WE DO

We help LGBT people escape persecution and violence

In countries all over the world, lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-identified (LGBT) people still live in basic fear for their freedom, their safety and their lives. They often have nowhere to turn because their government and police not only tolerate but encourage this brutality. Rainbow Railroad exists to help these people get out of danger to somewhere safe. In the spirit of and with homage to the Underground Railroad, the mission of the Rainbow Railroad is to help LGBT people as they seek safe haven from state enabled violence, murder or persecution. Through funds collected by people like you, we’re able to support, provide information, and help to arrange safe transportation for these LGBT people to somewhere in the world where they can live their lives in safety.

The crisis in chechnya

Our response

In response to the confirmed reports of abductions, detentions, enforced disappearances, torture and deaths targeting over 200 gay and bisexual men in Chechnya, Rainbow Railroad immediately went to action to assist those in danger. Rainbow Railroad has been working closely with the Russian LGBT Network, a non-governmental organization currently leading the campaign to rescue those facing danger in Chechnya.

Each day, thousands of people – people just like you – provide compassionate care to those in need. Our network of generous donors, volunteers and employees share a mission of preventing and relieving suffering, here at home and around the world.

We roll up our sleeves and donate time, money and blood. We learn or teach life-saving skills so our communities can be better prepared when the need arises. We do this every day because the Red Cross is needed - every day.

For more information, please visit redcross.org

The Topsail Turtle Project was organized by Karen Beasley, as she saw the need to preserve and protect the Sea Turtle nests, nesting females and hatchlings on the 26 miles of coastline on Topsail Island. After Karen’s early death, the torch was passed on to her mother, Jean Beasley, today the Executive Director of both the nesting program and the rehabilitation center.

The dream of a rehabilitation center was realized through the tireless efforts of the Beasley family; their financial support; the support of the project members; and the generous donations of money, time and material from local residents, businesses and visitors.

After breaking ground in May 2010, the new Sea Turtle Center facility in Surf City, NC opened its doors on November 7th, 2013. After years of working in a crowded, cramped 900 square-foot space, caring for up to 40 turtles, the center moved into its new 13,000+ square-foot building.

English PEN is the founding centre of a worldwide writers’ association with 145 centres in more than 100 countries. We are also a founding member of the Free Word Centre.

We campaign to defend writers and readers in the UK and around the world whose human right to freedom of expression is at risk.

We work to remove inequalities, where they exist, which prevent people’s enjoyment and learning from literature. We match writers with marginalised groups such as people in prisons in the UK, in refugee or detention centres and young people in disadvantaged areas, opening minds to reading and creative writing.

We facilitate and promote translation into English of published work in foreign languages we consider to be of outstanding literary merit. We celebrate writing of merit and courage through introducing UK audiences to new and acclaimed authors and awarding prizes for achievement.

Based in Philadelphia PA, Books Through Bars is a volunteer-run organization that distributes free books and educational materials to incarcerated people in PA, NJ, NY, MD, DE, VA and WV. Each week, we receive hundreds of letters from prisoners requesting books. Each year we send over 8,000 book packages. We welcome all who wish to learn and help.

Latinx in Publishing is a non-profit organization and a network of book professionals committed to supporting and increasing the number of Latino/a/x in the publishing industry, as well as promoting literature by, for, and about Latino/a/x people.

Connect volunteer knitters and crocheters with breast cancer survivors to offer free Knitted Knockers to any woman who wants them. There is a huge demand for Knitted Knockers that can’t be met by any one group but together we can do it! If someone in each area will set a goal of meeting the need in just their county it can happen!

Knitted Knockers are special handmade breast prosthesis for women who have undergone mastectomies or other procedures to the breast. Traditional breast prosthetics are usually expensive, heavy, sweaty and uncomfortable. They typically require special bras or camisoles with pockets and can’t be worn for weeks after surgery. Knitted Knockers on the other hand are soft, comfortable, beautiful and when placed in a regular bra they take the shape and feel of a real breast. Our special volunteer knitters provide these FREE to those requesting them.

Our teams are responding to the coronavirus emergency on multiple fronts—caring for patients, offering health education and mental health support, and providing training for vital infection control measures in health facilities around the world. MSF is working with local authorities in many of the countries where we have medical projects to help prepare for the impact of COVID-19. A key priority is to keep our regular medical programs running for the tens of thousands of patients and extremely vulnerable communities we help support. This pandemic threatens the lives of people around the world, and presents even greater risks in countries with weak or fragile health systems

Locus is the premier trade magazine of the science fiction and fantasy field. Established in 1968 and winner of multiple Hugo Awards, it publishes news of the science fiction, fantasy, horror, and young-adult publishing field, with extensive reviews and listings of new books, short fiction, and magazines. The Locus Science Fiction Foundation (LSFF) is a non-profit, publishing Locus Magazine and Locus Online, and is responsible for the Locus Awards for excellence in science fiction and fantasy literature, writing workshops and more.

“The ASFS will provide a place where writers, readers, and scholars can come together to find information, connect with each other, and act as watchdogs for their collective interests.”

Chinelo Onwualu, chief spokesperson, ASFS.

Southern Ohio Wolf Sanctuary (SOWS) has been rescuing wolf dogs since 2014. A non-profit, their mission is to educate people about the needs of wolf dogs and to give rescues proper care and rehome or provide ongoing sanctuary. Owners often don't understand the special needs of the breed and there are irresponsible breeders who create wolf dogs that can be aggressive. Wolf dogs are intelligent, but the wolf in them requires more care than the average four legged friend.

SOWS travels all over the United States working with animal control to save wolf dogs from euthanasia and picking up owner surrendered wolf dogs. The wolf dogs are often malnourished and sometimes suffering from infections or other health issues. The sanctuary provides medical care and rebuilds the wolf dog's body and spirit over time.

Currently, SOWS is in the process of buying additional land to house more wolf dogs and our hope is that this Story Bundle will aid in their efforts to do so.

The world has never faced a crisis like COVID-19. The pandemic is impacting communities everywhere. It’s never been more urgent to support the global response, led by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Donations support WHO’s work, including with partners, to track and understand the spread of the virus; to ensure patients get the care they need and frontline workers get essential supplies and information; and to accelerate research and development of a vaccine and treatments for all who need them.

We are a platform upon which Black communities across Canada can actively dismantle all forms of anti-Black racism, liberate Blackness, support Black healing, affirm Black existence, and create freedom to love and self-determine. We work to forge critical connections and to work in solidarity with Black communities, Black-centric networks, solidarity movements, and allies in order to to dismantle all forms of state-sanctioned oppression, violence, and brutality committed against all Black communities, including African, Caribbean, Afro-Indigenous, migrant, queer, trans, and disabled Black communities.

Planned Parenthood delivers vital reproductive health care, sex education, and information to millions of people worldwide.

Today, Oregon Food Bank collects food from farmers, manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, individuals and government sources. We distribute that food through a Statewide Network of 21 Regional Food Banks and approximately 1,400 food assistance sites serving all of Oregon and Clark County, Washington.

It seems like a big job, and it is. We absolutely couldn’t do it alone. But, distributing food is not the entire job. Like we said – we do things differently in Oregon.

Hero Dogs, Inc., a Maryland 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, improves quality of life for our nation’s heroes by raising, training, and placing service dogs and other highly skilled canines, free of charge with lifetime support of the partnerships.

Hero Dogs places service dogs with veterans of the U.S. military and first-responders with disabilities.

WCK uses the power of food to nourish communities and strengthen economies through times of crisis and beyond.

In 2010, my wife Patricia and I had a big dream to start World Central Kitchen. We envisioned an organization that would use food to empower communities and strengthen economies, and for many years we saw an amazing impact through our clean cookstoves initiative, culinary training programs, and social enterprise ventures. But we had no idea we would one day be answering calls in Puerto Rico and around the world to serve meals in the aftermath of disaster – and we quickly learned that food is a powerful tool to heal communities in times of crisis and beyond.

In 2020, the world changed profoundly, and our daily lives were overturned in a way none of us could have ever imagined. We activated in communities around the United States and the world to meet the daily needs of families in need of a warm plate of food – and supported thousands of local restaurants in the process. We also responded to natural and manmade disasters in countries on five continents, from massive bushfires in Australia to a deadly explosion in Lebanon to devastating hurricanes in Central America. Our fight to feed hungry people has taken us to more places than we ever expected.

Since 1917, the Authors League Fund has helped professional authors, journalists, critics, poets, and dramatists who find themselves in financial need because of medical or health-related problems, temporary loss of income, or other misfortune.

Many of those we help suffer severe health problems but have inadequate insurance; some face eviction; others are older writers whose income has ceased through no fault of their own.

The Fund exists to help professional writers continue their careers with dignity by providing no-strings-attached “loans” to pay for pressing expenses. Repayment of this emergency support is not required.

Women in Games is a nonprofit founded for the purpose of fostering equality and diversity in the gaming industry. Per womeningames.org, the organization seeks "to establish a gaming industry, culture and community free from discrimination, where full equity of opportunity, treatment and conditions empowers all girls and women, from all ethnicities, of all orientations, to achieve their full potential in the games and esports industries."

The Salish Sea School is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting local marine ecosystems and the education of future student leaders in marine conservation.

Our mission: creating student leaders in marine conservation through adventure, research, and action.

Our strategy has three core principles:

• Educate students through place-based, experiential learning.
• Empower students through research initiatives.
• Engage students to act for our oceans.

We strive to ensure that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to eventually return home, integrate or resettle.

During times of displacement, we provide critical emergency assistance in the form of clean water, sanitation and healthcare, as well as shelter, blankets, household goods and sometimes food. We also arrange transport and assistance packages for people who return home, and income-generating projects for those who resettle.

Our help transforms broken lives.

MAD HOUSERS Inc. is an Atlanta-based non-profit corporation engaged in charitable work, research and education. Our charter outlines our goals and purposes:

• To provide shelter for homeless individuals and families regardless of race, creed, national origin, gender, religion, or age.
• To develop low income housing for people in need of housing.
• To help people develop the skills and knowledge for constructing and rehabilitating housing and shelter.
• To increase the quantity and to improve the quality of housing in the world.
• To act, if necessary as an advocate for the homeless, to ensure that their moral and civil rights are protected.

The Mad Housers believe that if a person has a secure space from which to operate, they are much more capable of finding the resources to help themselves.

Qweerty Gamers, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that champions LGBTQ+ representation in the gaming community. Per the organization's website: "Qweerty Gamers provides a productive platform for people to connect & learn from each other while playing video games. Our platform provides unique perspectives of LGBTQIA+ Gamers, microgrants for content creators & game developers with a passion for more diversity in video games, & a medium for individuals and creators to share their experiences, accomplishments, & expertise."

The Maui Strong Fund is providing financial resources to support the immediate and long-term recovery needs for the people and places affected by the devastating Maui wildfires.

The objectives of the Foundation are to help less fortunate children throughout the United States experience the joy of Christmas; to play an active role in the development of one of our nation’s most valuable resources – our children; to unite all members of local communities in a common cause for three months each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign; and to contribute to improving communities in the future.

Girls on the Run, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is a physical activity-based positive youth development (PA-PYD) program designed to enhance girls’ social, emotional and physical skills and behaviors to successfully navigate life experiences. The program’s intentional curriculum places an emphasis on developing competence, confidence, connection, character, caring and contribution in young girls through lessons that incorporate running and other physical activities. The life skills curriculum is delivered by caring and competent coaches who are trained to teach lessons as intended.

Girls on the Run International is the parent organization to 175+ local councils, serving over 200,000 girls annually.

Best Friends Animal Society is a leading national animal welfare organization dedicated to ending the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters. To help Save Them All, Best Friends works with shelters, rescue groups and our members nationwide.

In 2020 we lost Neil Peart, legendary drummer and lyricist for the rock band Rush, to glioblastoma. He was my mentor, friend, and collaborator on numerous books, and his loss affected me deeply. Neil’s friends and colleagues and fans worldwide have contributed to this glioblastoma research fund in Neil’s name, and we are proud to add our efforts on this Writing Tools StoryBundle as well.