“…when you look at all the poets whose work has blossomed under the arbor of Cave Canem, you see an actual transformation of American literature. It’s been the most extraordinary happening in American literature in all the time I’ve been working.” –Elizabeth Alexander, Cave Canem Honorary Director

Cave Canem is launching its 2017 end of year campaign to raise much needed funds for the future of our organization. Since 1996, Cave Canem has served more than 1,300 poets of color through its summer retreats and community-based workshops. Looking back, we are both proud of this achievement and ripe with a sense of responsibility to reach new levels of sustainability.

Ways to Support

For 24 hours on #GivingTuesday, November 28, 2017, Brooklyn Community Foundation will match gifts up to $5,000 given to Cave Canem through our Brooklyn Gives profile. While we invite you to give at any time during our end of year campaign, matched funds will only be accepted on #GivingTuesday.

As we approach our 25th anniversary year, this is a pivotal time in Cave Canem’s history that we shouldn’t take lightly. Help Cave Canem continue to evolve as an institution, and as one that centers the work and words of Black poets in American Letters. Make a transformative gift of an amount that is meaningful to you and help ensure the next twenty-five years, the next generation of Black poets.

Please join us in pushing Cave Canem—and by extension American Literature—forward into another quarter-century of success!