New York, NY (July 22, 2026)—The Academy of American Poets is pleased to announce the nineteen recipients of the 2026 Poetry Fund, made possible by Amazon Literary Partnership. The grants support nonprofit poetry organizations and presses that publish, present, and promote poets and poetry, with a particular focus on organizations advancing a diverse and vibrant literary culture.

“For more than 17 years, the mission of the Amazon Literary Partnership has been to support organizations that are vital to sustaining the literary culture of communities and to connect writers with their readers,” said Al Woodworth, Manager of the Amazon Literary Partnership. “We are thrilled to continue our collaboration with the Academy of American Poets, providing funding through the Poetry Fund to support the exciting work of contemporary poetry organizations and share poets' words with readers everywhere.”

Established in 2019, the Poetry Fund reflects the Academy’s ongoing role as a national convener and supporter of poetry organizations across the United States, as well as the shared commitment of the Academy and Amazon Literary Partnership to championing poets and helping poetry reach readers.

“Thanks to ongoing, substantial support from Amazon Literary Partnership, poetry organizations and presses have continued to thrive,” said Robert Casper, President and Executive Director of the Academy of American Poets. “Their work is essential to our culture: championing the great poets and poems of our time, as they help us contend with and connect to the world—and each other—through the beauty of language.”

The Academy of American Poets, in cooperation with Amazon Literary Partnership, convened a grantmaking panel comprising poets Marci Calabretta Cancio-Bello, Geffrey Davis, and Emily Pettit. Final award decisions were made by Amazon Literary Partnership in partnership with the Academy.

The 2026 Poetry Fund recipients are:

Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, NY

Beyond Baroque, CA

BOA Editions, NY

CantoMundo, AZ

Cave Canem Foundation, NY

Indigenous Nations Poets (In-Na-Po), WI

Kundiman, NY

Mass Poetry, MA

O, Miami, FL

Poetry Daily, VA

Poetry Northwest, WA

Poetry Society of America, NY

Poets House, NY

Pongo Poetry Project, WA

The Watering Hole, SC

Undocupoets, VA

Urban Word NYC, NY

Woodland Pattern, WI

Youth Speaks, CA

About Amazon Literary Partnership

Since 2009, Amazon Literary Partnership has provided more than $19 million in funding to local, regional, and national organizations across the country that empower writers to create, publish, learn, teach, experiment, and thrive. At Amazon, the company believes in the power of words to transform lives, communities, and the world and is honored to support vital and vibrant organizations that support and champion writers.

In 2026, Amazon Literary Partnership will provide $1 million in funding to 102 literary organizations across the country. From youth-focused writing programs to residency programs, publications, and award programs, Amazon Literary Partnership strives to support writers throughout their writing careers. The program supports organizations that amplify and uplift often overlooked and underrepresented writers and connect writers with their readers.  To learn more, visit amazonliterarypartnership.com.

About the Academy of American Poets

Founded in 1934, the Academy of American Poets is the largest poetry membership organization in the United States. Each year, the Academy awards more than $1.3 million to poets at various stages of their careers through its prize program. It also produces Poets.org, the world’s largest publicly funded website for poets and poetry; organizes National Poetry Month each April; publishes the Poem-a-Day series and American Poets magazine; provides free resources to educators; hosts public poetry programs and special events; and coordinates a national Poetry Coalition that promotes the value poets bring to our culture.

To learn more about the Academy of American Poets, including its staff, Board of Directors, and Board of Chancellors, visit Poets.org.

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Peggy Ryan
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