named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Author Ambassador Program
Two-year rotating ambassadorship for published authors who are parents, designed to elevate visibility and mentorship within the parent-writer community
Brooklyn Pen Parentis Weekly Meetups
Weekly writing meetups for parent-writers held at The Center for Fiction in Brooklyn, providing structured time and peer support for creative work
Let's Talk Books Author Series
Literary event series curated and hosted by board member Christina Chiu, featuring author readings and conversations focused on writing and parenthood
Pen Parentis Literary Salon
Monthly salon in New York City that brings together writers who are parents for readings, discussion, and community-building; co-hosted by board members and curators since 2009
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Literary Events & Workshops 2 activities
- Produces and distributes recorded literary salon events via digital platformsHosts monthly literary salons livestreamed on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook, and releases edited recordings on YouTube for public access. The organization has maintained this programming for over ten years.
- Supports writer-parents in completing long-term literary projects through in-person and digital platformsOperates both in-person and online programs including writing accountability groups, literary salons, and virtual meetups to help writer-parents sustain their creative work. These include weekly accountability meetups and monthly livestreamed salons featuring author readings and discussions on parenting and writing.
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Youth Writing Contests & Recognition Programs 1 activity
- Awards writing fellowships and prizes to support parent-writersAdministers an annual writing fellowship competition that awards $2,000, mentorship, publication, and public reading opportunities to a winning parent-writer of a child under 10. Additional prizes of $500 and $250 are awarded to second and third place winners, who also receive access to accountability groups.
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Published Narrative Projects 1 activity
- Conducts research on the challenges of writer-parents and publishes findingsCarried out a year-long research initiative interviewing writer-parents about their challenges and coping strategies, resulting in public publications including the book "Book & Baby," which won first prize at the 2021 Indie Book Awards for writing/publishing.
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Artist Support Grants 1 activity
- Funds publication and compensates writers through grantmaking activitiesUses donation revenue to provide honoraria to featured writers and funds the publication of special issues of professional arts and literature magazines, such as Full Bleed, ensuring all contributors are compensated at professional rates.
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Professional Membership and Association Benefits 1 activity
- Provides free and tiered membership access to literary resources and community events for writer-parentsOffers free basic membership that includes access to community resources and events, with optional paid participation in accountability groups and salons. Sustaining Members receive additional benefits such as representation at national conferences.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Develops and maintains digital tools and platforms for writer-parentsCreated the "Pocket Pen by Pen Parentis" mobile app in 2020 and established an IGTV video platform to expand access to resources and community engagement for writer-parents.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$131K
Contributions & grants$106K81%
Program service revenue$4K3%
Investment income——
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$118K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$80K
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$65K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$65K
4 years on record · 2021–2024 · YoY revenue +28.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MILDA DE VOE | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 20 | $78K |
| CHRISTINA CHIU | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | $2K |
board members · 6
- HANANAH ZAHEER — BOARD MEMBER
- HELEN WAN — BOARD MEMBER
- HELENE M EPSTEIN — BOARD MEMBER
- JAMIE CLARKE — BOARD MEMBER
- MARINA BUDHOS — BOARD MEMBER
- MICHELLE HANSON — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 35
Who they work with
- Asian American Writers Workshop Partner — Partner organization hosting activities that support creative writing and the well-being of writers and parents.
- Book BIz Hub Partner — Marina Aris, co-host of Pen Parentis Salons, is Founder of Book BIz Hub, which includes Brooklyn Writers Press and Avantham.
- Bookshop.org Partner — Partner platform for selling or browsing books by featured authors, with proceeds benefiting authors, the nonprofit, and independent bookstores.
- Cave Canem Partner — Partner organization hosting activities that support creative writing and the well-being of writers and parents.
- Center for Independent Journalists Partner — Partner organization hosting activities that support creative writing and the well-being of writers and parents.
- City Council Government — Partner in supporting Creative Engagement funding for the literary salons.
- CityLit Baltimore Partner — Partner organization hosting activities that support creative writing and the well-being of writers and parents.
- De Groot Foundation Funder — Provided a generous grant that doubled the fellowship prizes.
- Facebook Partner — Platform used for livestreaming salon events and enabling audience participation through logged-in accounts.
- Girls Write Now Partner — Partner organization hosting activities that support creative writing and the well-being of writers and parents.
- LMCC Government — Administers Creative Engagement funds supporting the literary salons.
- LinkedIn Partner — Platform used for livestreaming salon events and receiving audience comments.
- Maryland Institute of Culture and Arts Partner — Student editors at MICA produced Full Bleed Issue 7, a professional arts and literature magazine featuring only parent-artists, with support from Pen Parentis.
- Mom Egg Review Partner — Partner organization hosting activities that support creative writing and the well-being of writers and parents.
- Mutha Magazine Partner — Partner organization hosting activities that support creative writing and the well-being of writers and parents.
- Mysterious Bookshop Partner — Partner organization hosting activities that support creative writing and the well-being of writers and parents.
- NATIONAL BOOK FOUNDATION Funder — Major donor supporting Pen Parentis programs.
- National Endowment for the Arts Funder — Provided a generous grant to support the publication of an all-parent-written issue of Full Bleed magazine.
- New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Government — Provides public funds for the literary salons through Creative Engagement.
- New York State Council on the Arts Government — Supports Pen Parentis programs with funding from the state.
- New York State Legislature Government — Supports New York State Council on the Arts funding for Pen Parentis programs.
- New York Writers Workshop Partner — Co-sponsors the "Let's Talk Books" Author Series with Pen Parentis.
- Office of the Governor Government — Supports New York State Council on the Arts funding for Pen Parentis programs.
- One Lit Place Partner — Provides writing courses, coaching, and resources to Pen Parentis sustaining members.
- POETRY FOUNDATION Funder — Major donor supporting Pen Parentis programs.
- Pace University Partner — Collaborated with Pace University students to develop the Pocket Pen by Pen Parentis mobile app.
- Poets & Writers Partner — Partner organization hosting activities that support creative writing and the well-being of writers and parents.
- Queens Network — Hosts events and programs for writer-parents in Queens, indicating local community engagement.
- RAWI Partner — Partner organization hosting activities that support creative writing and the well-being of writers and parents.
- Rose O'Neill Literary House Partner — Partner organization hosting activities that support creative writing and the well-being of writers and parents.
+ 5 more
strategies · 4
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.
- Accountability-Based Writing Support 6 orgsmethodology: accountability_based_writing_supportBy using structured accountability rather than traditional critique workshops, PEN PARENTIS helps writer-parents complete their writing projects because it reduces time and emotional burdens while maintaining momentum in creative output during demanding parenting periods.shared approach: Family-Integrated Creative Support →
- Visible Role Models to Counter Career-Parenting Myths 6 orgsmethodology: visible_role_modelsBy showcasing accomplished parent-writers, PEN PARENTIS challenges the assumption that parenthood necessitates creative sacrifice, because visible success stories disrupt cultural narratives and expand perceived possibilities for emerging writer-parents.shared approach: Family-Integrated Creative Support →
- Cycle of Support Modelmethodology: cycle_of_supportBy enabling members to access resources based on need and contribute back as their capacity allows, PEN PARENTIS sustains a self-reinforcing community ecosystem because mutual aid fosters long-term engagement and shared ownership among writer-parents.
- Low-Barrier Access and Inclusive Engagementmethodology: low_barrier_accessBy offering pay-what-you-can access, low word-count requirements, and remote participation via digital platforms, PEN PARENTIS increases equitable engagement because it reduces structural and temporal barriers faced by parenting writers.