named programs · 8 · from sources
What they call their work
Dial-A-Poem USA
Collaborative telephone-based poetry distribution project featuring recordings by contemporary poets
Emerge—Surface—Be Fellowship
Emerging writers and curatorial fellowship program supporting new poets and artists
Fanny Howe Feminist Reading Group
Reading group exploring the works of Fanny Howe through a feminist lens
The Poetry Project Newsletter
Quarterly publication featuring poetry, essays, interviews, reviews, and arts criticism
The Recluse
Annual literary magazine published in digital and limited print editions, emphasizing community and sociality in poetry
The green mountains are always walking
Five-session generative poetry workshop inspired by children's poetic intuition
Volunteer & Intern Potluck and Reading
Seasonal event where volunteers and interns share their creative work
Workshop Readings
Twice-yearly events showcasing writing from participants in Poetry Project workshops
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Literary Events & Workshops 3 activities
- Hosts live poetry readings and performancesPresents live poetry readings, performances, lectures, and related artistic work at St. Mark's Church-in-the-Bowery as part of its weekly and seasonal programming.
- Hosts reading groups and thematic literary discussionsOrganizes reading groups such as a feminist reading group focused on the works of Fanny Howe, engaging with themes of faith, suffering, family, and radical love, and shares related writing and thinking through an open archive called Footnotes.
- Offers poetry writing workshops and fellowship programsHosts generative poetry workshops, including five- and ten-session series for adults and specialized workshops for children, and runs the Emerge—Surface—Be Fellowship program for emerging writers and curators.
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Oral History Collection and Preservation 1 activity
- Conducts poetry-related research through oral historyPlans and conducts an Oral History Project, with activity scheduled for 2026, to document and preserve institutional and artistic memory.
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Event and Production Volunteer Coordination 1 activity
- Organizes volunteer engagement and community eventsCoordinates volunteer participation in the New Year's Day Marathon benefit and weekly reading series, and hosts an annual Volunteer & Intern Potluck and Reading for volunteers and interns to share creative work.
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Accessibility Services for Cultural Programs 1 activity
- Provides accessibility services for eventsArranges ASL interpreters upon request with one week’s notice and provides live transcription and screen reader-compatible formats for online broadcasts to ensure accessibility.
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Literary and Cultural Publishing 1 activity
- Publishes The Recluse literary journalProduces and distributes a quarterly publication featuring reviews, essays, interviews, poems, remembrances, and arts criticism, with collaborative editing by staff, limited edition print versions since 2020, and free digital access, including an annual launch event.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Operates Dial-A-Poem USACollaborates with Giorno Poetry Systems to operate Dial-A-Poem USA, a phone-based service offering recorded poetry readings by eight contemporary poets as a poetry distribution initiative.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$15.45M
Contributions & grants$15.33M99%
Program service revenue$107K1%
Investment income$5K0%
Other revenue$242
expenses
Total expenses$1.33M
Program expenses59%
Admin / overhead24%
Fundraising18%
Salaries & benefits$752K
Grants paid out$908
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$17.59M
Cash$16.81M
Investments$71K
Liabilities$733K
Net assets$16.85M
Liquid reserves152.4 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +343.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| NICOLE WALLACE | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $104K |
board members · 7
- DAVID VELASCO — BOARD MEMBER
- DEEPALI ZEER — BOARD MEMBER
- DIJA VIJ — TREASURER
- EDMUND BERRIGAN — PRESIDENT
- FRED MOTEN — BOARD MEMBER
- PATRICIA SPEARS JONES — SECRETARY
- VINCENT KATZ — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 18
Who they work with
- Coalition of Small Arts New York City Partner — Provides additional support to The Poetry Project.
- Danspace Project Partner — Co-occupant of St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery, sharing a vibrant artistic and community space with The Poetry Project.
- Giorno Poetry Systems Partner — Collaborates with The Poetry Project on Dial-A-Poem USA.
- Kirby Partner — Technology platform used to build The Poetry Project's website.
- LitNYS Funder — Provides funding for The Poetry Project's Oral History Project (2026).
- New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Government — Provides public funding for The Poetry Project's programs in partnership with the City Council.
- New York State Council on the Arts Government — Primary public funder supporting The Poetry Project's programs.
- New York Theatre Ballet Partner — Co-occupant of St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery, sharing a vibrant artistic and community space with The Poetry Project.
- Paul Bernhard Partner — Website designer for The Poetry Project.
- Poetry Coalition Coalition — National coalition providing support to The Poetry Project.
- Poetry Foundation Funder — Provides funding for The Poetry Project's programs.
- Raoul Audouin Partner — Website designer for The Poetry Project.
- St. Mark's Church-in-the-Bowery Partner — Hosts The Poetry Project's programs and events at its venue.
- St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery Partner — Hosts The Poetry Project at its location and shares space with other artistic and community entities.
- The Grace Fund Partner — An advised fund of the Brooklyn Org that provides additional support to The Poetry Project.
- The Jerome Foundation Funder — Funds The Poetry Project’s Emerge—Surface—Be Fellowship program.
- Untitled Queen Partner — Layout editor for The Poetry Project Newsletter
- info@poetryproject.org Partner — Point of contact for poets and artists to submit work for consideration in event programming.
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.
- Community-Centered Literary Culturemethodology: community-centered publishingBy positioning publishing and programming as vehicles for sociality and collective exchange rather than individual authorship, the organization strengthens community engagement because shared literary practice fosters deeper artistic and social connection.
- Cultural Action for Social Changemethodology: cultural_action_for_social_changeBy using poetry and performance as local cultural action, the organization challenges dominant social narratives and shifts public consciousness because artistic expression is a catalyst for broader societal transformation.
- Generative Workshop Model with Extended Impactmethodology: generative_poetry_workshopBy structuring poetry workshops as generative, writing-centered experiences that extend beyond scheduled meetings, the organization fosters sustained creative output and community relationships because ongoing writing and connection are essential to meaningful artistic development.
- Play-Based, Embodied Poetry Educationmethodology: play-based_poetry_educationBy using a play-based, form-supported approach to poetry, the organization honors children’s intuitive and embodied relationship with language because this fosters authentic creative engagement and lifelong literary connection.
- Radically Open and Anti-Hierarchical Community Modelmethodology: radically_open_communityBy creating a counter-hierarchical, radically open environment, the organization amplifies historically silenced voices and fosters authentic participation because challenging traditional power dynamics enables more equitable and transformative poetic and educational spaces.