826 NATIONAL STAFF
Gerald Richards
Eric Stensvaag
Lindsey Bourne
CEO
Director of Development & Marketing
Finance & Operations Manager
Kait Steele
Lauren Broder
Cooper Dinning
Director of Field Operations
Director of Research & Evaluation
Salesforce & IS Administrator
826 NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The 826 National Board is made up of independent directors and an ex-officio
chapter representative from each of the eight chapters in the 826 network. Each
of the chapter representatives is a voting member of their chapter board and
the National Board.
Terry wit
dave eggers
leah williams
Board President
Partner, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart
& Sullivan, LLP
826 National & 826 Valencia Co-Founder
Founder of McSweeney’s Publishing, LLC,
& Award-Winning Author
General Counsel, WestEd
Mary Schaefer
Vice President, BlackRock iShares
tynnetta mcintosh
gerald richards
Board Vice President
Director of Corporate Internal
Communications, JP Morgan Chase & Co.
CEO, 826 National
Joe Malcoun
reece hirsch
Partner, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
howard cutler
Ex Officio - 826 Seattle
Executive Producer, WGBH
Educational Foundation (retired)
tara greco
Board Secretary
Ex Officio - 826michigan
President, CKM Capital Partners
jennifer bunshoft
Ex Officio - 826DC
Senior Manager of Brand,
Communications & Community,
Deloitte Services LP
amir mokari
Deputy Attorney General,
California Attorney General’s Office
tessie topol
Board Treasurer
Investor, Conatus Capital
jodie evans
Vice President of Corporate Social
Responsibility & Community Affairs,
Time Warner Cable
Ex Officio - 826 Valencia
Vice President of Brand, Editorial
& Creative Services, Move Inc.
Ex Officio - 826LA
Author, Documentary Film Producer,
& Co-Founder of CODEPINK
jordan kurlAND
Nínive Calegari
Founder & Owner, Zeitgeist Artist
Management
826 National & 826 Valencia Co-Founder
bill heinzen
Andrew Strickman
Ex Officio - 826NYC
Deputy Counsel to the Mayor,
New York City
daniel kuruna
Ex Officio - 826CHI
Proprietor, Eyequilt
Marketing Consultancy
2
826 NATIONAL kevin whalen
Ex Officio - 826 Boston
Senior Vice President & Senior Portfolio
Manager, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Board Member Emeritus
President & Founder, Teacher
Salary Project
MISSION STATEMENT
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 are dedicated to providing
under-resourced students, ages 6-18, with opportunities
to explore their creativity and improve their writing skills.
We also aim to help teachers inspire their students to
write. 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.
Annual Report 2012–13
3
Contents
Staff & Board............................................................................................................... 2
Mission Statement..................................................................................................... 3
Dear Friends: A Letter From Our CEO............................................................ 6
2012-13 At A Glance.................................................................................................. 7
Why 826?...................................................................................................................... 9
Our Programs............................................................................................................ 10
Our Volunteers.......................................................................................................... 12
826 Is The Answer!................................................................................................. 14
The 826 Model.......................................................................................................... 16
Our Centers................................................................................................................ 18
2012-13 Milestones................................................................................................... 20
Publications................................................................................................................ 25
Designed by Parallel-Play.com
PrintedSection
by
Title, and Other Things
4
Student Writing........................................................................................................ 31
Interns........................................................................................................................... 34
Development & Financial Activities................................................................ 36
Thank You Donors................................................................................................... 38
2012-13 At a Glance
Dear Friends
29,449 4,084 5,011
Why 826?
Thinking of this question leads
me to ask another question. Do you
remember the first thing you wrote?
Was it a poem? A short story? A novel?
An entry in your locked journal? Do
you remember how you felt writing it
and how you felt when the last word
was written on the page?
The first story I remember writing
was called “The Lightning Kid” about
a boy who is struck by lightning
and becomes something more than
human. It was a story I felt I had to
get out and put on paper (this was
before computers and we didn’t
have a typewriter). I remember feeling
powerful because it was a story with
a world and characters I had created.
As my grandmother read the finished
product with looks of excitement and
puzzlement (a kid struck by lightning
who lived?), I remember I also felt pride
at my accomplishment.
This is what spurred me to write more.
My writing skills have been an asset
on my journey from that twelveyear-old kid to the CEO I am today.
The ability to communicate and
express myself has been instrumental
in the success I have found at work,
making friends, settling disputes,
and meeting new people. I believe
the ability to write and to write well
is a civil right.
At 826 chapters across the country,
we are helping young people feel
pride every day. At the end of each
field trip, Young Authors’ Book
Project, or in-school writing project,
students leave with a finished
product or publication. Our projectbased learning approach ensures
that every student will begin and
complete a writing project, giving
them a sense of pride in their accomplishments and a sense of ownership
in a project, feelings they may have
never felt before. Our volunteers
and staff help students find their voice.
They assure them that their voice
matters, and that people are listening.
Our students will take this ability to
write and express themselves much
further into the world than they ever
thought possible. Their strong selfesteem, forged from accomplishment,
will be beneficial in whatever they
choose to do. They’ll succeed because
they will have built that success upon
a solid foundation of writing skills.
I hope after reading this year’s annual
report you will be able to answer the
question —Why 826?—and you will
get involved. Whether it’s volunteering
at an 826 chapter near you, making
a donation to ensure our programs
remain free for those students that
need it most, or spreading the word
about our organization, your involvement helps continue to make everything we do possible and helps our
students keep writing.
826 NATIONAL Total number of programs
Active volunteers
seattle
ann arbor/
Detroit
new york
CHIcAGO
BOSTON
WASHINGTON, D.C.
sAN FRANCISCO
LOS ANGELES
With thanks,
Number of progams
Gerald Richards
CEO
826 National
“My writing skills have been an asset on my journey from that twelveyear-old kid to the CEO I am today. The ability to communicate and
express myself has been instrumental in the success I have found at
work, making friends, settling disputes, and meeting new people.
I believe the ability to write and to write well is a civil right.”
6
Students served across eight
chapters
In-schools 142
Writing Workshops 403
741
Field Trips
Publications 955
Tutoring Sessions
1,843
Annual Report 2012–13
7
WHY 826?
“The inability to effectively convey thoughts and ideas
through writing plays a role in why many students do not
complete high school.”
Without writing skills, “young people will be at a serious
disadvantage in successfully pursuing some form of higher
education, and securing a job that pays a living wage.”
“Informing Writing,” Carnegie Corporation, 2011
Problem
Solution
Illiteracy is one of America’s greatest chal-
826 has the largest reach of any national
lenges, particularly with under-resourced
community-based arts education organiz-
youth. We know that students with limited
ation that is focused on writing and serves
financial, educational, and community
under-resourced youth. Our on-site and
resources lack the tools and individualized
in-school programs are based on the idea
attention to do their best work. Addition-
that celebrating creativity is key to engag-
ally, increasing cuts in arts education make
ing and assisting youth, and all of our
it that much harder for these students to
programs are free.
effectively express themselves in writing.
Our model offers a sustainable way to augment the education of
underserved children in urban areas. We give students high-quality,
engaging, and hands-on literary programs that empower them to
write, working one-on-one with community volunteers.
resultS
Better writing, increased confidence, improved grades, stronger
community ties between young people and professional adults,
and brighter futures.
Annual Report 2012–13
9
Our Programs
Each year, 826 is able to provide thousands of students from
under-resourced schools with one-on-one tutoring, writing
instruction, classroom support, and a wide variety of publishing
opportunities. While each of our individual chapters has its
own unique character, they all offer the following programs:
After-school Tutoring
During the school year, students from public
journalism to college application essays. Through
schools enroll in After-School Tutoring, which is
these programs, we support teachers and often help
offered Monday through Thursday for three hours
students achieve better results than they thought
daily. Last year alone, 826 National chapters offered
possible. Last year, 826 National’s centers helped
over 5,000 hours of After-School Tutoring across
with 142 projects in 71 public schools.
the country. After-School Tutoring has three components, all overseen by trained volunteers. Students complete their homework in all subjects, then
do a half-hour of reading, and conclude with work
on various writing projects.
Field Trips
Workshops
In the evenings and on weekends, 826 National’s
centers provide in-depth instruction in areas that
schools may not offer in their curriculums. Workshops, which include cartooning, bookmaking,
playwriting, and producing a zine, are all project-
More than 700 times a year, 826 National’s centers
based and taught by experienced, accomplished
welcome entire classes for Field Trips; students
professionals. Over several sessions, students refine
experience an interactive, high-energy writing
their stories, essays, and poems, with staff collecting
event such as our signature Storytelling & Book-
the finished work, publishing, and distributing it
making program. During this program students
to the students and their families.
write an original story, leaving the ending to be
individually written. The books are then illustrated
and bound, all within a two-hour period. Students
tell their stories while working closely with others,
learning that their words matter to a large audience.
Over 300 different schools participate in Field Trips
annually.
In-Schools Programs
For our In-Schools Programs, 826 sends teams of
Publishing
Student publications play a major role in 826 National’s
education programs. Whether it is a small chapbook
made in-house at the end of a three-week food writing
workshop, or a professionally bound anthology about
the American Dream written by a high school class,
826 National’s centers make sure that our students
walk away with a tangible representation of their
hard work.
trained volunteers into classrooms to work with
students on writing projects ranging from poetry to
10 826 NATIONAL Annual Report 2012–13
11
OUR VOLUNTEERS
“It’s hard to pick one [favorite moment]
because most are just ordinary moments
where the kids are being awesome
and creative. So, maybe the afternoon I
taught Jamel how to divide fractions,
which he was convinced he could not
possibly do. Or that time that Bianca and
Ehmily didn’t have homework so they
spent two hours making me awesome
hats out of colored paper.”
—Naomi Taub, volunteer at 826CHI
“I wish there had been something
like 826DC when I was young. So much
of growing up is learning to conform
to expectations, so it’s critical for kids to
have experiences that encourage them to
believe in their own ideas and unleash
their own creativity. Also, success in life
depends on the ability to express yourself
“There are caring adults in every community, wanting to help
the kids they see every day. And kids in every community are
excited and eager for a chance to be heard, to be listened to,
to tell their stories, and to have help telling them. The power of
826 comes from bringing the kids and the adults together and
letting them be genuine and real with each other in a setting
that is anything but ordinary.”
“The 826 tutors helped me realize how to
clearly. Kids need to see writing not as
put my ideas and feelings into words. The
a dry, academic task, but as a natural way to
826 tutor read over my story and helped
connect with other people. I love the enthus-
me, and we also laughed a lot at my story.”
iasm I see in our program participants.”
—5th grade student at 826 Boston
—Marie Joyce, volunteer at 826DC
“The tutors are very helpful and kind.
Also, if there is a question/problem on
my homework that even they can’t figure
out, they do all they can to help! (I even
get help with Spanish!)”
—Zara Zangana, student at 826michigan
“Working with my tutor was the best
experience I’ve had in my preparation
for college. I was able to open up many
more ideas, and discover much more
about myself.”
— Jander Cruz, student at 826LA
—Dave Eggers, 826 National and 826 Valencia Co-Founder
12 826 NATIONAL Annual Report 2012–13
13
826 Is The Answer!
Using a combination of external evaluation, objective assessment,
and program surveys (given to students, parents, teachers, and
volunteers), we have been able to learn about our effectiveness
and reach.
In an external evaluation conducted by Arbor Consulting
Partners of 826 Boston’s Young Authors’ Book Project, the
evaluators stated:
”Based on a rigorous mixed-methods evaluation,
Arbor Consulting Partners conclude that the Young
Authors’ Book Project (YABP) is fully aligned with
the Boston Public School system’s agenda of strengthening English Language Learners (ELL) services,
and stands out as a model program that makes an
extraordinary contribution in engaging ELL youth.
of this program and its positive impact on participating students and teachers, who benefit in both
academic outcomes and personal outcomes.”
Last year we were excited to compile the results of our
first chapter-wide assessment of writing skills (administered during the 2011-12 school year). We completed an
administration of the Test of Written Language (TOWL 4;
Hammill & Larsen, 2009), an objective measure created by
external researchers, to evaluate students’ writing abilities
before and after involvement in 826 National’s programs.
Across 190 students there was:
Implemented at an international high school, the
• An 8% increase in students’ “contextual convention”
YABP has demonstrated that it leads not only to
abilities (e.g., noun-verb agreement, punctuation).
educational advancement, but also increases the
• A 13% increase in their “story composition” skills
confidence of students as learners and writers.”
(e.g., vocabulary, prose, plot).
“The key to the success of this project is multifold,
and includes: the leadership provided by 826 staff
to ensure that the program was run smoothly, the
well-tuned structure of the program, the impressive
level of collaboration between 826 and the participating teachers, and the one-on-one support from
tutors... All in all, our evaluation affirms the efficacy
Our program surveys from students, parents, teachers, and
volunteers have consistently shown that we are positively
impacting all areas, from building academic skills to
fostering excitement about learning.
As an example of the impact we have on writing, below are
some results from last year’s After-School Tutoring program.
After-School Tutoring program students’ affirmations of the following
prompts at the start of the school year and at the end of the school year.
63%
80%
“I am proud of my writing.”
61%
75%
“I like to write.”
55%
71%
“Writing is a good way to express
my ideas and feelings.”
Annual Report 2012–13
15
THE 826 Model
“There are superhero stores, but a brilliant tutoring center in
the back; there are spy supply stores, but a brilliant tutoring
center in the back; there are outer space travel stores, but a
brilliant tutoring center in the back. So really, each 826 is like
a slice of brilliant pie ­— and I think that in order to appreciate
them, as with pie, you need to eat the whole thing.”
—Daniel Handler, author of the Lemony Snicket books
“School, unfortunately, right now, is really about tests and it’s
mostly results driven. I look at 826 as an incubator of creativity
and the unbridled passion of people creating and building
things, some of which you don’t really see in schools.
You get to an 826 and we are results driven. But our ‘results
driven’ is about the journey of getting there and how much fun
you are having along the way in creating things. There is no
test at the end of anything we do.
From the moment we opened our doors in San Francisco in 2002,
our emphasis has been on fun. And there has been plenty of that.
But something else happened; we helped students produce some
great writing. Then we did it again. Students returned over and over
and told their friends. We had come up with a formula that worked.
I think that the larger picture is getting the young people that
we work with to become engaged citizens. What real-world
skills do they have and how do they interact with adults? Do
they have the self-esteem to go after a job or go into whatever
field they choose, and are they prepared to present themselves
in a way that’s going to be in their best interest? I look at it as
the democratic process of life. You are engaged and want to
be part of the world.”
—Gerald Richards, 826 National CEO Excerpt from “Putting Creativity at the Forefront of
Education,” by the trends research and innovation company, PSFK (October 28, 2012)
Soon enough, we started hearing from people who wanted to bring
the 826 model to their hometowns.
16 826 NATIONAL Annual Report 2012–13
17
Our Centers
“826 has proved, over and over, that a sense of humor and the
ability to laugh while writing will produce astonishing results.”
—Judd Apatow, film producer, screenwriter, and director
826 Boston established 2007
826michigan established 2005
Storefront: The Greater Boston Bigfoot
Storefront: Liberty Street Robot Supply &
Research Institute
Repair Store
Serves: Boston Public School District and
Serves: Ann Arbor Public Schools, Detroit
greater Boston area school districts
Public Schools, Lincoln Consolidated
Neighborhood: Egleston Square, Roxbury
Schools, Willow Run Community Schools,
Executive Director: Daniel Johnson
Ypsilanti Public School District
www.826boston.org
Neighborhood: Ann Arbor, Detroit & Ypsilanti
Executive Director: Amanda Uhle
www.826michigan.org
826CHI established 2005
Storefront: The Boring Store
Opened: December 2005
826NYC established 2004
Serves: Chicago Public Schools
Storefront: Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co.
Neighborhood: Wicker Park
Serves: New York City Public Schools
Executive Director: Barry A. Benson
www.826chi.org
Satellite: Tutoring center at the Williamsburg
Neighborhood: Park Slope and Williamsburg
branch of the Brooklyn Public Library
Executive Director: Joshua Mandelbaum
www.826nyc.org
826DC established 2010
Storefront: The Museum of Unnatural History
Serves: DC Public Schools
826 Seattle established 2005
Neighborhood: Columbia Heights
Storefront: Greenwood Space Travel Supply Co.
Executive Director: Joe Callahan
www.826dc.org
Serves: Seattle Public School District and
greater Seattle area school districts
Neighborhood: Greenwood
Executive Director: Teri Hein
www.826seattle.org
826LA established 2005
Since our founding in 2002, the 826 network
considering the interior’s wooden surfaces, it was
Storefront: The Time Travel Mart
has expanded to eight centers across the country,
decided to create a pirate supply store with a writing
Serves: Los Angeles Unified School District
each offering free After-School Tutoring, in-class
lab nestled in the back.
support for teachers and students, and workshops
on topics ranging from space exploration to screenwriting. In addition to these centers, there are
currently more than thirty U.S. and twelve international cities providing 826-inspired programming
to students and schools in their communitites.
When San Francisco’s tutoring center was created,
the selected building was zoned for retail. After
18 826 NATIONAL Neighborhoods: Echo Park and Mar Vista
Satellite: Manual Arts Senior High School
Each new center has followed suit with a themed
Executive Director: Joel Arquillos
storefront. Their playful themes make our centers
www.826la.org
826 Valencia established 2002
Storefront: Pirate Supply Store
Serves: San Francisco Unified School District
and Oakland School District
Neighborhood: The Mission District
inviting and exciting while removing the stigma
Satellites: Writers’ Rooms at Everett Middle
associated with tutoring; provide a gateway for
School & James Lick Middle School
meeting families, teachers, and volunteers; and
Executive Director: Bita Nazarian
generate modest earned income to support our
www.826valencia.org
free programs.
Annual Report 2012–13
19
Continuing with stem and creative Writing
2012-13 Milestones
Three-year Strategic Plan
826 National ’s first Strategic Plan was approved at our
February 2013 Board Meeting. This plan addresses and
defines the case for why the 826 model and our programs
are needed; the role of 826 National and our goals and
activities; how 826 National will measure progress and
success towards those goals; expansion plans; and
the marketing and funding efforts required to make it
all happen.
In sum, our Strategic Plan is designed to lay out what
we do, why we do it, where we’re going, and how we
plan to get there together with our supporters and—most
importantly—the students, parents, and teachers that
drive and inspire us. Fellow pirates, time travelers, cryptozoologists, and superheroes: all aboard!
826 National
has identified four
strategic priorities for
the 826 National Staff
Two years ago, a partnership with Time Warner Cable (TWC)
began at Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) America with a basic
question, “How do we make STEM more engaging, especially
to low-income and under-resourced students?”
“For our country to remain competitive in this ever-changing global
economy and rapidly evolving, technology-driven world, we need to
ensure that we are appropriately investing in the science, technology,
engineering, and math (STEM) skills and talent that serve as the critical
building blocks to support our foundation and our future. At the same
time these STEM professionals have to be creative and able to communicate. As one scientist in the aeronautic field aptly put it, ‘I need
engineers but I need engineers that can write. In this business, a
misplaced comma can kill.’”
— Glenn Britt, Time Warner Chairman & CEO, and Gerald Richards, 826 National CEO
Excerpt from “A World Without Salt: How Creative Writing and Cross-Sector Cooperation
Help Kids See a New Side of STEM,” The Huffington Post, (June 13, 2013)
and Board for the fiscal
years 2014-2016.
Research and evaluate programs to assess impact,
document results, and ensure the quality and
consistency of core programs.
Strengthen internal operations to fortify existing
sites and prepare for realistic expansion, adding
1-2 new chapters.
Promote the 826 brand on a national level. Communicate and advocate for the importance of writing
and creativity in the national arena.
Create a robust and sustainable fundraising strategy
to support the national office and the network. Raise
funds from diverse national sources that augment
local efforts.
20 826 NATIONAL Building off of a successful pilot of 2012 summer workshops, 826 National continued our innovative partnership
with TWC and the University of California San Francisco’s
Science and Health Education Partnership for a second
year. Equipped with lab coats and writing tools, students
dove into projects designed to inspire creativity, curiosity,
and critical thinking—all while cultivating an interest
in STEM.
In 2013, new content was introduced at summer sessions
at 826NYC and 826LA, including “The Science of Superheroes” and “STEM of the Zombie Apocalypse,” respectively.
Adaptations from last year’s “It’s (Partially) Rocket Science”
lesson were conducted offsite at two partner organizations, the Greater New York YMCA in Flushing, NY, and
Operation Breakthrough in Kansas City, MO. In total, more
than 160 students from coast to coast participated in
workshops aimed at getting them excited about science
and writing. Wrap parties celebrating these programs
were held, featuring everything from a superhero poetry
slam to zombie-infested green screens, and student share
their thoughts:
“Your workshop is like a super hero lair.
Your workshop is the best…Thank you for
the fun things [you] did with the kids!”
—Tiffany, student at 826NYC
“Thanks for showing us how to collect
data and do experiments in a fun way!
Now we won’t have to worry about the
apocalypse in the future!”
—Nikolas, student at 826LA Echo Park
Annual Report 2012–13
21
826 National 101 Seminars
The 826 National 101 Seminar is held quarterly. The
two-day workshops cover everything from fundraising,
to volunteer recruitment and management, to projectbased learning, to building a board, and more.
This past year more than 55 educators, community activists,
nonprofit leaders, and admirers of the 826 model attended
101 Seminars. Ticket sales from these events totaled $28,000
in support of our free education programs. We are continually inspired by 101 Seminar participants, and are grateful
to each of these individuals for making the time and
effort to visit us and share information about making our
communities stronger.
“[The 101 Seminar] is such a unique opportunity to network
with other individuals in a very specific creative field.”
– Adrienne Burris, Greenville, SC
Staff Development Conference
At 2013’s annual Staff Development Conference, 826 staff
members from across the country descended on the
nation’s capital for three days of sharing, learning, and
planning.
The U.S. Secretary of Education Visits 826 National and 826 Valencia
“It was an amazing experience to meet Secretary Duncan
because he is in charge of everyone’s learning and kids’ futures.”
—Santiago Delgado, student at 826 Valencia
In May 2013, 826 National and 826 Valencia welcomed
United States Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, to
826 Valencia to observe and take part in After-School
Tutoring. Though Secretary Duncan is a longtime admirer
of 826 National’s programs, this was his first visit to
any of our writing centers. Upon arriving at 826 Valencia,
Secretary Duncan said he felt like he was “coming home,”
as his mother ran an after-school program in Chicago for
over fifty years. After a tour of The Pirate Supply Store, and
an overview of our educational programming, Secretary
Duncan dove in and joined students at their study tables.
22 826 NATIONAL Secretary Duncan’s visit culminated with three students
reading their (soon to be published) short stories and
poems. We are grateful for his endorsement of our work
and are excited to continue discussions with the U.S.
Department of Education about how 826 fits into the
national education reform landscape.
In addition to numerous peer-learning sessions, we were
thrilled to welcome more than 20 guest facilitators with
expertise in fields such as: education at the national and
local levels, writing instruction, corporate social responsibility, communications and marketing, retail, and design.
Highlights included:
• An opening keynote by Deborah S. Delisle, Assistant
Secretary for the Office of Elementary and Secondary
Education, highlighting the importance of creativity,
innovation, and equity in the educational landscape.
• A dynamic panel on supporting students in and
out of school with Reverend Brenda Girton-Mitchell,
J.D., Director of the Center for Faith-Based and
Neighborhood Partnerships at the U.S. Department of
Education; Jen Rinehart, Vice President of Policy and
Research at Afterschool Alliance; and Michael Benson,
826DC in-schools partner and teacher at Oyser-Adams
Bilingual Academy, DCPS.
• A discussion on supporting schools in adopting
the Common Core State Standards by Mel Riddile,
Associate Director for High School Services.
Annual Report 2012–13
23
PUBLICATIONS
One of the most powerful elements of our programs is the publication
of student writing produced each year by the 826 chapters and the
National office.
In 2012-13, 826 National’s chapters produced 955 student
publications, making our population of 29,449 students published
authors! We couldn’t be more excited to share some of these
amazing works with you.
826 National Publications
The Best American Nonrequired Reading
Every week over a period of several months,
826 co-founder Dave Eggers meets with fifteen
or so San Francisco Bay Area high school students
who love to read. Across the country, a similar
workshop convenes with their counterparts at
826michigan. Together, they search for, arrange,
and edit the collection known as The Best American
826 National On the Road
Nonrequired Reading.
The 826 National team hit the road again this past year to participate
in a number of diverse and important conferences, meetings, events,
and presentations about literacy and arts education. Some of our
favorite and most notable include:
Published by Houghton Mifflin as part of the Best
• Clinton Global Initiative (CGI America
• PSFK Conference
• Association of Writers and Writing
(September 2012; New York City, NY)
(November 2012; San Francisco, CA)
Programming (AWP) Conference
• Strategic Horizons Conference
• New Profit Gathering of Leaders
(September 2012; San Francisco, CA)
(February 2013; Miami,FL)
• Aspen Institute New York Ideas Confer-
• Foundations for a Brighter Future,
ence (September 2012; San Diego, CA)
Beyond School Hours XVI Conference
• American Education Research
(February 2013; Jacksonville, FL)
Conference (April 2013; San Francisco, CA)
• Opportunity Collaboration
(March 2013; Boston, MA)
• Arts Education Partnership National
American series, Nonrequired Reading assembles
the best fiction, journalism, essays, humor, comics,
tweets, and other eclectic genres from the past year.
It is one of the best-selling anthologies in the United
States, no less impressive for the fact that its content
is thoughtfully culled by a group of sixteen- and
seventeen-year-olds.
All proceeds from this publication directly support
our programs.
Forum (April 2013; Washington, D.C.)
(October 2012; Ixtapa, Mexico)
24 826 NATIONAL Annual Report 2012–13
25
Books From Our writing centers
Last year our 826 chapters produced these truly inspiring
Young Authors’ Book Projects:
826 Boston
I Want You to Have This
Subtitled “A Collection of Objects and Their Stories
From Around the World,” this book is a poignant
compilation of memoirs written by 60 eleventh
graders from Boston International High School.
826CHI
The Windows Reflect Everything
The newest 826CHI student publication is filled
with the narrative journalism of students from
Roberto Clemente Community Academy and
Golder College Prep. This project is the fruit of an
entire year’s worth of work, including pointers
Before This Place Filled With Zombies
from award-winning journalists Alex Kotlowitz
This collection of fantastical short stories was
and Monica Eng, and dives into issues like youth
inspired by artwork from the Isabella Stewart
violence, school choice, being left-handed, teen
Gardner Museum, written by ninth-grade student
pregnancy, basketball, and immigration.
826DC
826LA
The Weight of the Day Surrounds My Body
Sun-Dried Sidewalks: Reflections On Community
826DC’s fifth student-authored anthology features
And Recommendations For A New Los Angeles
essays, fiction, and poetry by students from Duke
Ellington School for the Arts, Woodrow Wilson High
School, and Ballou High School. Award-winning
author Dinaw Mengestu penned the foreword to
the book.
In Sun-Dried Sidewalks, ninth- and tenth-grade
students reflect on their experiences in communities,
confronting challenges and growing stronger.
Enlightened by their collective experience, they
share their recommendations for making Los Angeles
an even better place to live.
authors from Edward M. Kennedy Academy for
Health Careers.
26 826 NATIONAL Annual Report 2012–13
27
826MICHIGAN
826NYC
826 Seattle
826 Valencia
All I Could Do Was Look Up:
Spyliens! (A Student Film Project)
What To Read In The Rain, 2013
The Enter Question: How to Ask and How to Answer
Anatomy of a Middle School
Hailed as “a fascinating and enthralling combi-
The latest edition of 826 Seattle’s annual anthology
For 826michigan’s 2012-13 Young Authors’ publi-
nation [of] friendship and betrayal,” Spyliens! is a
features famous adult and not-yet-famous youth
cation, they worked with English Language Arts
short movie produced in the 826NYC Summer Film
writers. This publication offers the best writing of
teachers at Scarlett Middle School. The entire
Makers workshop, which guides students in the
our 826 Seattle students alongside work by Dave Eggers
seventh grade participated in this project, sharing
craft of script-writing and the basics of film pro-
and Tom Robbins; a comic by David Lasky; artwork by
a snapshot of middle schoolers’ experiences and
duction. Students wrote, filmed, and acted in this
Justin Allan, Skylaar Amann and Sara Ewalt; poetry
views through memoirs, poetry, persuasive essays,
brilliant commentary on corporate greed, interstel-
by Kathleen Flenniken and Jared Leising; and
and fables.
lar warfare, and the bonds that are formed when
various short stories and essays.
half-alien spies team up against mildly evil weapons
manufacturers.
In this collection by 83 students at San Francisco
International High School—a school specifically
designed for students who have recently immigrated to the United States—young writers address a
variety of topics including the challenges of communicating in a new language, the courage it takes
to ask for help, and the joy in meeting new people
from all over the world. The 300-page anthology
features a foreword by writer Nyuol Lueth Tong, a
South Sudanese student at Duke University who
opened a school in his home village last August.
28 826 NATIONAL Annual Report 2012–13
29
STUDENT WRITING
The endless imagination of 826 National’s students provides
us with a plethora of wonderful writing to share on their
behalf every year. We’ve included some of our favorite works
in this writing gallery so that you too can read and enjoy
the amazing talents and work of our students.
You Shine Like Aphrodite
Michael A. Collazo, age 8, 826CHI
Dear Mom,
I love you Mom.
Thank you for everything you have given me.
You shine like Aphrodite (goddess of love and beauty).
Because you are loving and beautiful.
I wish I could count how many hugs you give me.
You are the number-one mom in the whole wide world.
I hope you love me too.
You are like a butterfly flying to the sky as an angel and bird.
In the evening you shine like the horizon.
You are like a ladybug that solves problems as a finance agent
MARSHMALLOWS
Athena Murray, age 11, 826NYC
Under my superhero’s costume is her skin,
Under her skin is her heart,
Under her heart is the power
To be a great friend
To have super strength and speed.
Under her heart is the power
To be invisible and fly over cityscapes.
She can talk to animals and shoot marshmallows
And other food from her hands.
Under her heart (besides all of her powers)
She is a force for the good, great,
And the extraordinary.
Annual Report 2012–13
31
THE VALUE OF EDUCATION
MY Adventure
Kimberly Perez, age 15, 826LA
Jose Manuel Navarro Rodriguez, age 17, 826 Valencia
Education is like a candle, lighting everyone’s future. It can show you
I arrived here in San Francisco a month ago. The first few days I felt
where your place will be, where you feel where you belong. While
very lonely, and my brother and I missed my mother very much. I also
growing up, everyone says they want their dream job, but without a
missed my little siblings very much.
good education, how will they get there? To be a lawyer, doctor, therapist, etc., you can’t just slack off and do what you feel. Education can
have you think of things differently and make you want to grow. If
taken care of wisely, the candle will never burn out because of a wind
of interference. Everyone should value the candle of education. We
can still learn each day, even when finished with college. Education is
always with us. It is the one thing that no one can take from you.
Then I went to the district school to begin classes, and I liked the
school a lot. I told my father that I wanted to register at a school as
soon as possible. The first day of school I felt bad. I felt very lonely.
I had no one to be with, but then a person in my class started to speak
to me.
We were in the same class together. He is a good friend, and I like to
be with him.
Peace Kingdom
The next day at school was a little better because I was getting to know
Alex Hassan, age 13, 826michigan
other people in my class.
One million years ago, there were no green technologies in Peace
Kingdom. Everyone in the land just threw their trash on the ground
for many years, until one day, when a merchant came to the kingdom.
Once he got in, he looked around and saw the dump-of-a-town.
All-American Girl
Kathleen Santarelli, age 15, 826 Seattle
I am walking into the scent of paper, ink, and old leather;
At that moment, he had an idea. He quickly reached into his magic
lying in bed hearing stories of my mother’s childhood;
bag and pulled out a recycling center. The people of Peace Kingdom
limping back to the tightwire, pain shooting down my leg;
were so amazed by the building he pulled out. And the merchant
singing along with Top Hat, wishing I could wear Ginger’s
yelled as loud as he could, shouting, “Everyone, start being green!”
beautiful ball gown;
Everyone in the town started picking up all of the trash in the
anticipating the Seattle skyline that I see every time I come home;
Kingdom and cleaned up the shops, stores, and homes. The merchant
picking purple grapes and letting the sweet, tart taste burst
eventually left the kingdom, but before he left, he said, “You all should
on my tongue;
keep up the good work. Don’t stop being green!”
composing a lengthy letter to Elizabeth on simple white stationary;
praying through dance, my white dress flowing as I twirl
through creation;
I am a laughing, dreaming, romance-addicted, All-American girl.
32
826 NATIONAL
Annual Report 2012–13
33
THANK YOU, Interns!
826 National would like to thank our corps of hardworking interns who were instrumental to
the daily hum and success of our office. With such a small staff at 826 National, our interns
are vital to the work of supporting our chapters. They volunteered their time to help manage
our events, our publicity, our research, and our projects. Each brought their own interest and
spark to 826, and we are certain we could not have had such a stellar year without them.
Annie Graham
Becca Singley
Claire Stringer
Courtney Frost
Hannah Port
Harriet Dwyer
Joe Demes
Katie Peterson
Liv Martinsen
Mary Demery
Meg McCabe
Megan Holmes
“Having discovered a passion for fundraising and nonprofit development, 826
National has left me looking forward to
what’s next--a powerful and practical
gift to bestow on an intern.”
Roxane Le Corre
Sara Reinis
Sarah Mull
Soléne Mehat
Tiana Vazquez
Zoe Balaconis
“Quite possibly the coolest post-grad
work experience with which I could
have started my career.”
— Joe Demes, intern at 826 National
— Harriet Dwyer, intern at 826 National
34 826 NATIONAL Annual Report 2012–13
35
Development & Financial Activities
SUPPORT & REVENUE
Total
Operating
Support &
Revenue
$1,143,417
Unrestricted
Temporarily
Funds
Restricted Funds
Total
Webstore Revenue
$10,014
$10,014
Less Cost of Revenues
$3,912
$3,912
Net Webstore Income
$6,102
$6,102
Publications & 101 Seminars
$74,232
$74,232
Chapter Fees
$181,122
$181,122
Book Royalties
$19,038
$19,038
Total Program Revenues
$274,392
$274,392
Net Revenues
$280,494
$280,494
Program Revenues
Total
EXPENSES
$1,092,284
Contributions
ScholarMatch
Donations
$311,266
Grants
$266,764
In-Kind Contributions
Interest
33% Foundations
53% Chapter Support
21% Corporate
22% ScholarMatch
16% Chapter Fees
18% Fundraising
12% ScholarMatch
& Outreach
9% Earned Income*
8% Administration &
6% Individual Donors
3% In-Kind
Management
$137,079
Net Assets Released from Restrictions
Total Revenue, Support, & Gains
$137,079
$311,266
$106,545
$373,309
$41,173
$41,173
$96
$96
$274,709
($274,709)
$1,174,502
($31,085)
$1,143,417
EXPENSES
Program Services:
Chapter Support
$579,054
$579,054
ScholarMatch
$238,013
$238,013
Total Program Services
$817,067
$817,067
Management, General, & Administrative
$82,766
$82,766
Fundraising
$192,451
$192,451
Total Supporting Services:
$275,217
$275,217
Total Expenses
$1,092,284
$1,092,284
Change in Net Assets
$82,218
($31,085)
$51,133
Net Assets, Beginning of the Year
$291,293
$137,630
$428,923
Net Assets, End of the Year
$373,511
$106,545
$480,056
Supporting Services
Totals
*101 Seminars, Book Projects, Webstore
The complete annual audited financial statements and reports are available at the 826 National office for review.
36 826 NATIONAL Annual Report 2012–13
37
THANK YOU!
We are grateful to the many foundations, corporations,
and individuals who make our work possible:
Foundations & Corporations
$100,000+
Individuals $5,000+
Kevin Whalen
Molly Brunkow
Adam Rex
Lisa Brown & Daniel Handler
Nancy and Martin Gilbert
Lambent Foundation
Anonymous
Margaret O’Connor
Nicole Gluckstern, in honor of Family Froyd
Panta Rhea Foundation
Howard Cutler
Marian & Roger Gray
Nínive Calegari
Time Warner Cable
Jennifer & Michael Jimenez-Cruz
Michael & Keli Litman
Peter Hodges
Priscila Goldsmith
Sarah Chester
Mary Schaefer
Priscilla Sands
Sarah Crandall
Terry Wit
Sophie Lesher
Susan Shreve
Yoko Ono Lennon
Terri McCullough
Tara Greco
Foundations & Corporations
$25,000-99,999
Kalliopeia Foundation
Merge Records
& The Jamieson Foundation
William Randolph Hearst Foundation
Individuals $1,000-4,999
Yellow Chair Foundation
Amir Mokari
Brian Eaton
Foundations & Corporations
$10,000-24,999
New World Foundation
Singer Family Foundation
Foundations & Corporations
$1,000-9,999
Dan Kuruna
Gene & Suzanne Valla
Jennifer Bunshoft Pergher
Jordan Kurland
Stephen Ensley
Sylvia & Barry Bunshoft
Individuals $100-249
Alex Gleser
101 Seminar Donors
Andrew, Burcu & Juniper Bryan
In-kind
Aviva Rubin
Delessio
Brenden McIntyre
Mission Bubbles and Coffee
C. Ogata
Peet’s Coffee
Chris Richmond
Ritual Roasters
Daniel B. Johnson & Ebele Okpokwasili-Johnson
Daniel Kedem
Conatus Capital Management
Tynnetta McIntosh
Diesel, A Bookstore
Walter & Cathy Isaacson
Hachette Book Group, Inc.
Will Knapp
June P. Jackson Charitable Fund
Individuals $250-999
Greg Darroch
Aaron Shapiro
Jen Benka
Beverly Simmons
Joe Malcoun
Caren Kaplan
John Rah
David G. Steele
Jonathan Liew
Gary Sernovitz
Kristy Modarelli
Jerry & Victoria Stout
Lee Draper
Joyce Cowan
Mary O’Connell
Justin Bradley
Mashael AlShalan
Katie Brinkworth
Micaela Trumbull
Keogh Family Foundation
Koogle Foundation, in honor of Larry Smith
Louis R. Lurie Foundation
Moquin Press, Inc.
Morgan Stanley, on behalf of Kevin Whalen
Out of Print
Robert & Toni Bader Charitable Foundation
Strategic Horizons LLP
Ziff Brothers Investments
38 826 NATIONAL Will Dalen
Daniel Kramer & Rebecca Chaplin-Kramer
Emanuel Citron
Gail Stein
Annual Report 2012–13
39
44 Gough Street, Suite 206
San Francisco, CA 94103
phone: 415-864-2098
fax: 415-864-2388
www.826national.org
@826National
facebook.com/826National
Annual Report 2012–13
40