July 9, 2024, New York, NY—Words Without Borders, the international literary arts organization, has been awarded a major grant from the Mellon Foundation. The $150,000 general operating grant is the largest in WWB’s twenty-one-year history.
“In deeply divided times, this grant affirms the importance of engaging both deeply and widely with the world’s literary voices through the art of literary translation,” said WWB’s outgoing executive director and publisher, Karen M. Phillips. “We are grateful to the Mellon Foundation for this meaningful support.”
Words Without Borders is the largest digital platform for contemporary literature in English translation, offering readers free access to a rich variety of writing by more than 4,600 authors and translators, translated from 140 languages from 143 countries. Its education program, WWB Campus, equips educators with curricular resources and training to bring international literature into their classrooms. Each year, WWB reaches more than 700,000 readers, students, and educators worldwide through its free magazine, educational resources, and literary events.
The general operating grant from the Mellon Foundation will provide operating stability through WWB’s leadership transition, as longtime executive director Karen M. Phillips steps down this summer. This change comes at a time of organizational strength, as WWB sets its sights on scaling up its impact and reaching a wider and more international community. The grant also follows WWB’s recent investments in the field of literary translation, including new grants and fellowships for early-career literary professionals; a 20% increase in rates paid to our contributing writers, translators, and editors; and an expansion of training opportunities for teachers looking to bring global literature to their students.
“This historic grant from the Mellon Foundation will have a significant impact on WWB at a critical juncture,” said Samantha Schnee, WWB’s board chair and founding editor. “It also communicates to the broader arts community that an organization focused on expanding access to international literature deserves attention and support.”
About Words Without Borders
Founded in 2003, Words Without Borders cultivates global awareness by offering unparalleled access to international writing in English translation. Reaching readers and students worldwide, its website and programs provide a vital platform for today’s international writers and literary translators. WWB’s programs include a Whiting Literary Magazine Prize–winning digital magazine for international literature, the WWB Campus online education program for students and educators, public literary events, and support and visibility for the field of translation through our fellowships, awards, and grants program, as well as our digital marketing activities. Words Without Borders is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
About the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation is the nation’s largest supporter of the arts and humanities. Since 1969, the Foundation has been guided by its core belief that the humanities and arts are essential to human understanding. The Foundation believes that the arts and humanities are where we express our complex humanity, and that everyone deserves the beauty, transcendence, and freedom that can be found there. Through our grants, we seek to build just communities enriched by meaning and empowered by critical thinking, where ideas and imagination can thrive. Learn more at mellon.org.
For additional information, please contact:
Contact: Anna Claire Weber
Email Address: anna@wordswithoutborders.org
Website Address: www.wordswithoutborders.org
X: @wwborders
