Estée Lauder Companies Announces Grantees for Writing Change Initiative with Poet Amanda Gorman

The Estée Lauder Companies has announced the first-year grant recipients for Writing Change, its global three-year, $3 million  literacy impact initiative inspired by poet and Estée Lauder Global Changemaker/Brand Ambassador Amanda Gorman.

First announced in September 2021, Writing Change will over three years invest in organizations working to close the literacy gap and support efforts that work to advance systemic changes across three focus pillars:

• Access: Equitable access to literacy programs to ensure education is a fundamental right, especially for the communities in need.
 
• Advocacy: The publication and advocacy of diverse writers and young leaders to advance representation in literature at all levels.

• Artistic Expression in Youth: Community programming that advances creativity and cultivates a passion for artistic and social expression in youth through writing, particularly for girls of color.  
 
In its first year, Writing Change will focus on US organizations with the potential to expand globally in years two and three, said ELC.

The grant recipients were selected based on their proven ability to catalyze impact for youth, families, and diverse communities, demonstrated ability to collaborate across the nonprofit sector, and their ability to broaden their programmatic scale through Writing Changes’ pillars of access, advocacy, and artistic expression. In its first year, the initiative will fund five US-based organizations:  the American Library Asociation, We Need Diverse Books, Girls Write Now, WriteGirl and MIGIZI.

American Library Association (ALA) as the largest library organization in the world, works to promote libraries and library education in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all. Funds from Writing Change will support an innovative pilot project for twelve libraries in the U.S. to partner with local artists to implement arts programming that builds literacy and digital skills for distinct populations – including youth at risk of low educational or employment attainment. The ALA digital access program aims to expand libraries’ reach into their community and increase libraries’ visibility as a path to educational persistence, economic mobility, and civic participation. The project emphasizes diverse artistic expression as a platform for community and aims to reach approximately 3,600 individuals in its first year. 

We Need Diverse Books (WNDB), a nonprofit organization, runs 12 initiatives united under one goal – to combat systemic racism and oppression by creating a world where everyone can find themselves on the pages of a book. Through support from Writing Change, WNDB will further its work in tailored grants, mentorship programs, workshops, and community building, with particular support provided to advance The Native Fund, The Black Creatives Fund, and the Revisions Workshop.
 
For 25 years, Girls Write Now has been breaking down barriers of gender, race, age, and poverty to mentor the next generation of writers and leaders who are impacting businesses, shaping culture, and creating change. They match young adults – over 90% of color, 90% high need, 75% immigrant or first generation, and 25% LGBTQIA+/gender expansive – with professional writers and multimedia makers as their personal mentors and immerse them in a supportive and networked community of writers, for life. Through support from Writing Change, Girls Write Now will aim to create a greater national presence in its core programming and Writing 360 program with an aim to reach 600 additional youth in the next year. 
 
A Los Angeles-based creative writing and mentoring organization, WriteGirl spotlights the power of a girl and her pen. WriteGirl represents a community of more than 400 girls and 400 volunteer women writers who serve as creative writing mentors. 100% of WriteGirl graduating seniors have entered college, many on full or partial scholarships. WRITING CHANGE funding will support literacy-based programs for underserved girls through the WriteGirl Core Mentoring Program reaching girls with creative writing workshops, one-to-one mentoring by professional women, leadership development, and college/career-focused resources.  
 
Based in Minnesota, MIGIZI provides a strong circle of support that nurtures the educational, social, economic, and cultural development of Native American youth. WRITING CHANGE will support MIGIZI’s First Person Production program equipping young Native people with 21st century media skills, teaching them how they can make a positive impact in Native media representation, and providing an arts and media space for emerging storytellers. 

“I am so thrilled that the work of these worthy organizations can continue to reach more communities through Writing Change. Representation in literacy matters. For youth, literacy is a pathway to social expression that leads to progress. I truly believe that words lead to actions that can change the world. I am so proud of the work that I know is to come, and I look forward to this first year of impact through Writing Change,” Gorman said in a statement.