irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $10KTHE FOUNDATION HAS ESTABLISHED A WRITERS EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FUND(WEAF) THAT HELPS ESTABLISHED INDEPENDENT NONFICTION WRITERS ANDAUTHORS BY PROVIDING AND AWARDING FUNDING TO ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS WHOARE UNABLE TO WORK DUE TO ILLNESS, DISABILITY, A NATURAL DISASTER,SEVERE FINANCIAL DISTRESS, OR AN EXTRAORDINARY PROFESSIONAL CRISIS.
- #2 $0THE FOUNDATION SETS ASIDE CERTAIN RESERVE FUNDS (EISENBERG, ROBINSONAND ROTH) TO PROVIDE AWARDS TO CERTAIN QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS BASED ONACHIEVEMENT.
named programs · 2 · from sources
What they call their work
Eisenberg, Robinson, and Roth Reserve Funds
Reserve funds designated to provide awards to qualified individuals based on achievement in the field of nonfiction writing.
Writers Emergency Assistance Fund (WEAF)
Provides financial grants to established independent nonfiction writers experiencing severe financial distress due to illness, disability, natural disaster, or professional crisis.
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Professional Development and Standards in Marketing and Communications 2 activities
- Promoting ethical and professional standards in nonfiction writingDevelops and upholds professional and ethical standards for freelance writers through a Code of Conduct and promotes excellence in nonfiction writing across the industry.
- Providing professional development for freelance writersOffers seminars, workshops, webinars, mastermind sessions, and conferences on topics including journalism, books, content marketing, branding, SEO, and business skills to help freelance writers advance their careers and increase income. Provides on-demand access to archived sessions, recordings, and professional development bundles such as "All Business," "Make Bank," and "Perfect Pitch."
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Free Expression Defense & Advocacy 1 activity
- Advocating for freelance writers’ rights and free pressEngages in advocacy at local, state, and national levels to protect freelance writers’ rights to control and profit from their work, supports the First Amendment and free press, and opposes legislation such as California’s AB5 and the federal PRO Act. Participates in legal action to prevent censorship and promotes Banned Books Week.
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Professional Networking Events 1 activity
- Facilitating networking and client connections for freelance writersHosts in-person and virtual Client Connections events, including nine-minute pitch meetings and Virtual Pitch Slams, enabling freelance writers to directly engage with editors, publishers, agents, and content managers. These events are offered annually as part of national conferences and as standalone virtual events via Zoom or phone.
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Artist Support Grants 1 activity
- Funding emergency assistance for freelance writersAdministers the Writer’s Emergency Assistance Fund and reserve funds (Eisenberg, Robinson, and Roth) to provide emergency financial grants to established independent nonfiction writers facing illness, disability, natural disaster, or severe professional crisis.
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Organizational Newsletter Production and Distribution 1 activity
- Producing publications and communications for freelance writersProduces and distributes a weekly email newsletter (ASJA Weekly), a blog (ASJA Confidential), and a quarterly magazine to inform members about ASJA activities, industry news, and trends affecting freelance writing.
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Member-Exclusive Resource Access 1 activity
- Providing access to expert writers and industry resourcesMaintains a searchable member directory that connects media, researchers, and clients with freelance writers by name, specialty, or expertise, and provides access to sample contracts, book proposals, and pay rate reports to support members’ business practices.
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Industry and Community Recognition Awards 1 activity
- Recognizing excellence in freelance writingHosts an annual awards program that recognizes outstanding achievements in freelance writing across journalism, content marketing, and books.
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Arts Professional Advocacy & Equity Initiatives 1 activity
- Supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in freelance writingOffers DEIA-focused programming including webinars, monthly chats, and conference sessions; provides scholarships for writers from underrepresented backgrounds to attend conferences; and has established a permanent DEIA Committee with support from a hired DEIA consultant.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$270K
Contributions & grants$200K74%
Program service revenue$53K20%
Investment income$5K2%
Other revenue$12K
expenses
Total expenses$343K
Program expenses26%
Admin / overhead75%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$10K
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$262K
Cash$92K
Investments$146K
Liabilities$104K
Net assets$158K
Liquid reserves8.3 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -17.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 11
- CARI SHANE — DIRECTOR
- CHRISTOPHER JOHNSTON — DIRECTOR
- DARCY LEWIS — PRESIDENT
- DAVID STEELE — DIRECTOR
- EMILY PAULSEN — PAST PRESIDENT
- GABRIELLE GONZALEZ — TREASURER
- HOLLY PALKER — SECRETARY
- JENNIFER BILLOCK — DIRECTOR
- KIM KOBERSMITH — DIRECTOR
- MELISSA CORBETT — DIRECTOR
- STACEY FREED — VICE PRESIDENT
relationships · 15
Who they work with
- ASJA 2026 Conference Partner — Client Connections is held concurrently with the ASJA 2026 Conference as a virtual event.
- ASJA Confidential Network — Member publication serving as a blog for ASJA
- ASJA Past President Network — Former leadership member who has contributed to the organization's mission and community.
- ASJA Weekly Network — Member publication serving as an email newsletter for ASJA
- Banned Books Week Partner — Collaborates to promote awareness of censorship and First Amendment rights.
- California’s AB5 Government — Opposes legislation that threatens freelance writing as independent contracting.
- Fashion Institute of Technology Government — Hosted the 2025 ASJA conference with sponsorship from its academic departments
- First Amendment Government — ASJA expresses support for the First Amendment and media rights protected under it.
- Gotham Ghostwriters Partner — Collaborated to offer scholarships for a virtual course on the business of ghostwriting
- Institute for Independent Journalists Partner — Co-presented a webinar session on reframing stories in light of privilege and power hierarchies
- LinkedIn Partner — Platform referenced in passive marketing context for freelancer visibility
- Pragmatic Diversity Partner — Hired consultant from Pragmatic Diversity to develop DEAI programming and resources
- ProAct Government — Opposes federal legislation that would negatively impact freelance writing careers.
- members-only Facebook group Partner — Hosts a members-only Facebook group for peer networking and informal learning among freelance writers.
- other writers associations Partner — Partners with writers associations to lobby lawmakers against anti-freelance legislation.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Emergency and Holistic Professional Supportmethodology: holistic_freelancer_supportBy providing emergency financial aid, advocacy, and educational resources, we sustain the freelance writing profession because financial and legal support during crises preserves careers and enables long-term industry participation.
- Entrepreneurial Advocacy for Freelance Writersmethodology: entrepreneurial_advocacyBy advocating for freelance writers as independent business owners, we strengthen their ability to control and monetize their work because legal and economic empowerment sustains long-term career viability in a shifting publishing landscape.
- Inclusive Storytelling as Trust-Buildingmethodology: inclusive_storytellingBy promoting inclusive writing practices that center marginalized voices and challenge systemic biases, we build trust with underrepresented audiences because authentic representation disrupts harmful narratives and increases cultural relevance.
- Integrated Networking and Skill Developmentmethodology: integrated_networkingBy combining professional development with structured networking opportunities, we increase the likelihood of career advancement because direct, facilitated connections with industry clients lead to tangible assignments and improved pitch quality through real-time feedback.
- Peer-Supported Professional Developmentmethodology: peer_supported_developmentBy facilitating peer collaboration and interactive learning among experienced freelance writers, we improve skill development and professional growth because shared expertise and mutual feedback enhance retention and application more than solo learning.