Emergency Grants

Friends of Writers is pleased to announce a pilot Emergency Funding program from April 1st 2025 to December 31st 2025. FOW is hopeful that the program will continue beyond the pilot year. The pilot program is only open to past and current faculty, alumni, and staff of the Goddard College MFA Program founded by Ellen Bryant Voigt and the MFA Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College, as well as current students in the MFA Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College.

The emergency grants are meant to provide financial support to members of the above community in a time of dire need. The grant offered will be up to and not exceed $500.00 as a one-time gift. During this funding year, the Emergency grants will fund $5,000 in totality (10 grants of $500 each).

Please note: the emergency grants are not intended to reimburse expenses (e.g. tuition to the MFA Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College, to replace or supplement existing financial aid, or to pay off loans and other debt obligations). Emergency grants do not have to be repaid.

Ineligible Expenses

The following are examples of what is not covered:

• Tuition and Fees: Regular tuition, fees, health insurance, and study abroad costs.
• Non-Essential Costs: Non-essential utilities (e.g., cable), household expenses, or furniture unrelated to damage or theft.
• Fixed, Foreseeable Expenses: Regularly anticipated expenses such as rent, routine car maintenance, or routine medical care
• Parking Tickets: Costs associated with parking violations.
• Recreational Costs: Entertainment, non-emergency travel, or other non-essential expenses.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Show Immediate Need: Experience a time-sensitive financial hardship from an unforeseen emergency.
• Complete Application: Complete the application in full.  

• No Prior Funds: Applicants should not have received an emergency grant from FOW in the past three years.

Application Process

1. Submit Application: Apply by providing the completed form to FOW Administrative Manager. Click this link  or cut and paste into your browser. If you do not have WIFI or phone due to the emergency, we hope that you will find communication support to help you with this process.
2. Review Process: A small, rotating panel from the FOW Board pledges to quickly review your application to determine eligibility. Information will be kept confidential otherwise. 
3. Impact on Taxes: Note that you are responsible for reporting receipt of this grant for tax purposes. FOW will ask for a W9 form but is not responsible for issuing a 1099 for amounts under $600.00.

The decision on whether to fund emergency grants, the amount, and under what conditions is solely within the  FOW board’s discretionary authority.