Named for William Faulkner (who used his Nobel Prize funds to create an award for young writers) and for PEN, the international writers organization, PEN/Faulkner fosters the centrality of reading and literature in all of our lives.  Perhaps best known for its fiction awards, the organization also presents readings at the Folger Shakespeare Library of 20-30 new, emerging, and master authors a year in one of the most distinguished literary series in the country.  Its Writers in Schools program works aggressively to bring into schools over 50 authors a year who--in the spirit of Faulkner's philanthropy--donate their time to the program.  PEN/Faulkner provides instructional materials and copies of the writers' books. Author visits are immediate, personal encounters between living writers and students that demonstrate to everyone the transforming power of the arts in education.  In 2000 the program expanded from 18 to 50 annual visits, and from 720 to 1900 participants.  Authors speak of the "spiritual" experience of their poignant encounters with students, while students express astonishment that a "famous" writer has taken them seriously and inspired in them curiosity about literature and a real desire to write.  You can support this wonderful program and help keep literature--and literary philanthropy--alive.

Jessica Neely, Executive Director 201 East Capitol Street, SE Washington, DC 20003 202-898-9063 www.penfaulkner.org