Unrestricted gifts to NaNoWriMo support core program expenses--that is, to ingrained aspects of NaNoWriMo that aren't expected to change. This encompasses everything from running our November NaNoWriMo writing challenge, to running Camp NaNoWriMo in April and July, to maintaining the Young Writers Program, to keeping the website up and the lights on. Unrestricted funds support everything that is part of our annual budget, including staff. As in all nonprofits, a small percentage of donor gifts will pay for management and fundraising expenses.
Restricted gifts to NaNoWriMo will be used for a specific purpose that the organization has identified as an area of special need. Restricted gifts typically support program areas that are underfunded. When you give to a restricted fund, we, the organization, may use your gift only toward that purpose.
- The NaNoWriMo Tech Fund. This fund supports major improvements to our technology, which go beyond the basic maintenance of our current website and beyond the scope of our current technical abilities. We view our current tech as extremely dated. A major goal for 2025 is to kick off a complete website redesign and to reimagine our social tools.
- The NaNoWriMo Community Safety Fund. This fund supports continued improvement and investment in community safety that must persist in 2025. We view 2024 as a year when we closed many urgent and critical community safety gaps. In 2025, we endeavor to go even farther in becoming a leader in this space, to make our policies and practices not only legally compliant, but world-class.
- The YWP Fund. Though the Young Writers Program is supported in a general way through unrestricted funds, a gift to the YWP Fund will improve YWP in ways that surpass the status quo. Whereas a gift to unrestricted funds help us sustain the core program, a gift to the YWP Fund helps us improve and grow the tools and resources that we stand to offer young writers.
Did you know that you can also make a recurring donation or seek a matching gift from the company where you work? Do it all by checking out our donation page!