Clarion West

In celebration of our 25th consecutive workshop, Amazon is donating one dollar to Clarion West for every dollar we receive from individuals, corporations, government offices, charitable foundations, and special events—up to $25,000. We have until October 31, 2009 to raise $25,000; Amazon’s grant can double that to $50,000.

If you'd like to make a donation to Clarion West for Amazon to match, visit our Donate page.

“I think the Amazon challenge grant is a real feather in our cap. It recognizes all the good work of Clarion West over the last twenty-five years and is the perfect launch for the next twenty-five,” says Deborah Fisher, Chair of Clarion West’s Board of Directors. “I’m delighted this grant comes from a community of readers who love books and writers like we do.”

“We're thrilled to work with the Clarion West Writers Workshop and help celebrate twenty-five years of preparing writers for professional careers,” says Jeff Belle, Vice President of Amazon.com. “Amazon recognizes the need to support new writers and their work, and we look forward to introducing our customers to the talented voices that emerge from the workshop in the future."

Amazon Challenge FAQs

Clarion West has received a challenge grant from Amazon for up to $25,000. When a nonprofit receives a challenge grant, it gets matching funds from the granting organization for the money that nonprofit raises. In this case, the grant is effective for one year, so we have until October 31, 2009 to raise $25,000. Amazon has agreed to give us a dollar for every dollar donated to Clarion West during that time. Our grand total, including Amazon’s contribution, could be as high as $50,000. We receive matching funds only for the money we actually raise.

What will CW do with the money?

We will use Amazon’s matching $25,000 to support the long-range sustainability of the workshop. That’s why making your donation now is so important—it will help keep the workshop around another twenty-five years.

Will small donations help you reach your goal?

Whatever money we raise before October 31, 2009, Amazon will match--up to $25,000. So every dollar you give us counts double.

Will Clarion West still want support from other organizations now that you’ve gotten a big grant from Amazon?

Yes, of course. We continue to rely on other donations to fund our day-to-day, month-to-month operations. None of our relationships with friends and supporters have changed, or will change, as a result of this grant. Actually, the Amazon challenge grant makes each and every group’s and person’s contribution even more important.

How does Amazon benefit from the challenge grant?

Amazon tells us they are making this challenge grant to CW because they want to support writers, they want to give back to the community, and they are all readers and understand there are no books without writers.

We will provide Amazon with the same recognition all our grant funders receive. We’ll mention their gift on our website, in our newsletter, and in several other places, just as we do the OSFCI and similar organizations.

Will Amazon’s challenge grant change the way Clarion West operates?

No. Nothing will change in terms of our operations. The grant consists of what are called “unrestricted funds,” meaning we may use the funds for any purpose. Amazon will not have any say in how the funds are used, or in how CW is run.