named programs · 2 · from sources
What they call their work
After School & Weekend Programs
Weekly writing workshops and book club sessions where students develop creative and expository writing skills with support from trained volunteers
Write Away Workshop
A five-week writing series that guides students through the process of creating and refining original written work
activities · 3 groups
What they do
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Benefit Events for Arts and Culture 1 activity
- Host fundraising and community engagement events to support youth writing programsOrganizes annual galas, trivia nights, literary showcases, and themed social events such as "Write the Future," "Beyond the Secret Door," and "Sip-N-Story" to engage supporters and raise funds for student writing and tutoring initiatives.
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Facility Accessibility Improvements 1 activity
- Operate an accessible writing center with inclusive programmingRuns a ground-level writing center designed to accommodate individuals with disabilities, featuring doorways at least 35 inches wide and an accessible bathroom, with disability accommodations available upon request for students, volunteers, staff, and visitors.
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Literary Events & Workshops 1 activity
- Provide creative writing instruction and publication opportunities for students ages 6–18Offers ongoing creative writing programs including weekly workshops, after-school sessions, and in-school residencies that support students in developing and publishing original works such as books, chapbooks, zines, and anthologies. Programs serve over 3,000 young writers annually and are delivered through field trips, extended-day programming, and collaborations with public schools.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$993K
Contributions & grants$811K82%
Program service revenue$154K15%
Investment income$5770%
Other revenue$28K
expenses
Total expenses$1.09M
Program expenses61%
Admin / overhead17%
Fundraising22%
Salaries & benefits$713K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$856K
Cash$287K
Investments$45K
Liabilities$434K
Net assets$422K
Liquid reserves3.7 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -6.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rebecca Lynn Darugar | Executive Director | 50 | $136K |
board members · 13
- Andrew Sparkler — Director
- Aransas Savas — Director
- Christian Rongavilla — Secretary
- Danielle Sinay — Director
- David Trahan — Director
- David Tuffy — President
- Jamal Edwards — Director
- Kathryn Yontef — Director
- Liza Steinberg Demby — Director
- Michael Colagiovanni — Director
- Michelle McGovern — Director
- Richard Kando — Treasurer
- Ted Wolff — Vice President
relationships · 11
Who they work with
- 826 National Network — 826NYC is a chapter of 826 National, aligning with its national commitment to youth writing and inclusion.
- 826 National Network — Part of the 826 National network of writing centers.
- 826NYC Partner — Student participant references support from 826NYC-affiliated programs or spaces in their narrative.
- Academy for Young Writers Partner — Collaborated on a poetry publication project connected to local Brooklyn history curriculum.
- Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co Partner — Retail store located in the same space as 826NYC that generates financial support for its programs through sales.
- High School of Fashion Industries Partner — Published a cross-genre student writing collection reflecting on return to in-person learning in 2021.
- Mercer Lewis Partner — Volunteer providing writing support to students in the Write After School program.
- P.S. 316 Elijah G. Stroud Partner — Partnered on a student-created travel guide integrating creative writing into argumentative writing instruction.
- Plants vs. Zombies Partner — Collaborates with the Plants vs. Zombies franchise to inspire student writing projects.
- Raven Partner — Character in the student-authored story who supports the main character during a shared holiday experience.
- TIWA Gallery Partner — Hosted 826NYC's "Stories to Savor" and "Stories of Style" literary events in its gallery space.
strategies · 3
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.
- Co-Creative Mentoring Modelmethodology: co_creative_mentoringBy having volunteers write alongside students, we build authentic relationships and model creative risk-taking, because shared vulnerability fosters trust and increases student engagement.
- Creative Writing as Literacy & Empowerment Toolmethodology: creative_writing_for_literacyBy using creative writing to build literacy skills and emotional engagement, we improve academic outcomes and personal empowerment, because imaginative expression increases motivation and deepens learning.
- Youth-Centered Authorshipmethodology: youth_centered_authorshipBy positioning students as the primary authors of their stories with structured support, we foster confidence, authenticity, and engagement in writing, because affirming youth voice strengthens both personal and academic development.