826 National is a nonprofit organization that provides strategic leadership, administration, and other resources to ensure the success of its network of eight writing and tutoring centers.
826 centers offer a variety of inventive programs that provide under-resourced students, ages 6-18, with opportunities to explore their creativity and improve their writing skills. We also aim to help teachers get their classes excited about writing.
Our mission is based on the understanding that great leaps in learning can happen with one-on-one attention, and that strong writing skills are fundamental to future success. Last year our centers—which are located in Ann Arbor, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, DC— served over 29,000 students.
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Friday, March 8, 2013
 826 National is again at the Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP) Conference, where we have been connecting with different authors, educators, and publishers, and attending readings, lectures, and discussions. This annual conference takes place at various cities around the country in order to foster literary achievement, advance the art of writing as essential to a good education, and serve the makers, teachers, students, and readers of contemporary writing.
This year's conference is taking place from March 6-9 in Boston, where 826 National has a booth (#2705) at the book fair to spread the word about our mission while selling books and merchandise to the 11,000 people in attendance. Our fun writing activities are giving attendees a taste of what it’s like to be an 826 student, and we also have newsletter sign-ups and information about getting involved with our writing centers. The AWP Conference is a great opportunity to learn what others are doing to inspire students across the country and we will return to the National office with many new connections and ideas for the coming year!
Monday, February 25, 2013
826 National is thrilled to be one of many national nonprofits featured in the Laura and John Arnold Foundation's Giving Library! The Giving Library is designed to drive national attention to its featured nonprofit organizations and offer philanthropists an innovative way to enhance their strategic charitable giving. Donors can explore the Giving Library's online archive of video interviews to locate, study, compare and engage with hundreds of nonprofit organizations across the country. In our video, 826 National CEO Gerald Richards asks for support for 826 programs nationwide by outlining 826's commitment to one-on-one tutoring and the connection between expository/creative writing skills and academic achievement.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
One of our students has the answer for you...
Who Wants Love
by Quinn Wells, 826CHI, Grade 4
Love is a great thing because it’s made out of hearts and beauty and prettiness and handsomeness and awesomeness. And POW!
Love goes slow. Love is ridiculous. Love is fast like a pony with a wizard costume on and a green mustache. Love is sad. Love is crazy. Love is around the world. Love is a deck of cards. Family Love is happy and cool. Boyfriend and girlfriend love is yucky and nasty.
When it comes to love, a man has to have a job, a good diploma, and has to have an eight-pack. And he has to cook and has to look handsome. He probably has to be in his 30s.
So there you have it. Now, how about being our valentine this year? A gift of just $200 covers the annual costs for one 826 student.
Friday, February 8, 2013
 We’re thrilled to welcome three new members to the 826 National Board. Jordan Kurland is founder and owner of Zeitgeist Artist Management, a company focused on cultivating long-term careers for independently minded artists. He is a partner in Noise Pop, one of the nation’s most respected and long-standing music festivals, and co-founder of the Treasure Island Music Festival. Jordan also serves on the boards of the Stern Grove Festival and Air Traffic Control.
 Leah Williams joins the board as a legal, policy, corporate strategy, media, and public affairs expert. She currently serves as General Counsel of the national education and research agency WestEd, and her writing has been published through SFGate.com, The Recorder, Benefit Magazine, and CityFlight Magazine. Leah is also an in-demand speaker on philanthropy as a means to inspire and impact communities, diversity, corporate social responsibility, education, and social justice issues.
 Tessie Topol is Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility and Community Affairs at Time Warner Cable. Her position includes leading the company’s philanthropy program, Connect a Million Minds™, a five-year, $100 million initiative to inspire the next generation of problem solvers by connecting young people to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education and careers. Time Warner Cable joined with 826 National last summer to integrate hands-on science learning into workshop curricula at 826NYC and 826LA.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
 While we here in the 826 National office have already enjoyed his company for weeks, it's time to introduce the rest of you to 826 National's brand new Director of Development and Marketing, Eric Stensvaag.
Eric comes to 826 with fourteen years of nonprofit management and fundraising experience at internationally recognized arts and education organizations. Prior to working for 826, Eric served in the Development Offices of Cal Performances at the University of California, Berkeley; the San Francisco Symphony; and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. And before entering the workforce, Eric joined a volunteer corps and spent a year in Washington, DC as a caseworker for a social services agency. He received his BA in Music from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, and besides some serious fundraising skills Eric is also a (now “retired”) trumpeter, an avid music lover, and an occasional hip-hop DJ!
We are beyond lucky and excited to have Eric join the 826 family. Stay tuned for more from Eric on how you can support 826 National's programming across the country.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
826 centers across the country are holding events this February to warm the body, heart and mind:
 Warm your belly with 826DC at their annual Pints To Help Half-Pints, a beer dinner supporting their free educational programming for DC students. Join them on February 11 at 7pm at Birch & Barley for a five-course tasting menu paired perfectly with nine craft beers. Tickets are $150 and can be purchased HERE.- Warm your heart with 826michigan’s unique post-Valentine’s Day musical benefit: The Love Hangover. Musicians, lovers, and Valentine’s Day burnouts are invited to Woodruff’s Bar in Ypsilanti on February 15th at 7pm for an evening of unusual pairings with musicians convening to perform love songs, original music, and covers from the tremendous to the tragic.
- Warm your wits at 826NYC’s Poker with Jokers, where comedian Michael Ian Black and “This American Life” host Ira Glass will attempt to crack your poker face in this Texas hold’em tournament to benefit 826NYC. With your $50 registration fee you’ll have a chance at trophies signed by Ira and Michael and a guarantee for a delightful evening.
All events benefit the chapters’ free writing and tutoring programs. Get involved with your local chapter to learn more about the fun times to be had at the 826 in your area!
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“826 helps young people learn that language can be play, that work can be joyful, and that they themselves can be the inventors and caretakers of their world. I have seen it with my own eyes. 826 is a good thing in a world of bad things, and a good place in a world of hard ones.”»Michael Chabon, Pulitzer Prize-winning author
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“Thank you for teaching me how to be a REAL AUTHOR!”»Gabby Martin, student, PS 230, Brooklyn
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“Having my story in a book means a lot to me.”
»Unique Smith, student, 826 Seattle
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“Every person from 826—from tutors who volunteered a few times in my classroom to staff with whom I've worked daily—shares a delight in young people and a rare respect for teachers' real work.”»Lisa Morehouse, teacher, Balboa High School, San Francisco
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