Advocates for First Amendment Rights Explore a Merger

PEN America, based in New York City, and PEN Center USA, based in Los Angeles, share a commitment to protecting and advocating for First Amendment rights while also promoting a community of literary expression. The two PEN organizations, which stands for Poets, Playwrights, Editors, Essayists, Novelists, each have very distinct cultures and approaches to their work and have long viewed each other as separate but equal entities. In 2017, they decided it was time to explore a more formal collaboration. A portion of the costs associated with the exploration of a merger was provided by a grant from The SeaChange-Lodestar Fund for Nonprofit Collaboration.

Grant Information

Grant Amount: $20,000

Year Granted: 2017

Grantee: PEN America

Location: National

Grantee Website: PEN America