Electric Literature Belongs to All of Us

Dear Reader,

This is my last fundraising letter to you as Executive Director. In my 10 years in this role, and 16 at Electric Literature, I have seen funding for the arts gutted. In 2025, we received $57,000 in grant funding, compared to $127,000 the previous year. This $70,000 reduction was a result of the Trump Administration dismantling the NEA and attacking artistic expression. As an indirect result, other funders have been spread thin and grant amounts have been broadly reduced. 

I wish we lived in a country where there was more federal, state, and organizational support for the arts. Maybe one day we will. In the meantime, it’s on all of us to step up. Last year, you did. Individual donations to Electric Literature went from $155,000 in 2024 to $215,000 in 2025—a $60,000 increase that nearly covered EL’s grant losses.

One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned as Executive Director is to ask for what EL needs. This sounds simple, but for years I was inclined to ask for less—to ask for the amount that sounded palatable, or seemed achievable—and to make up the difference with debt and sacrifice. It took our community stepping up last year to teach me that getting what we need is possible.

Your support also taught me that caring for Electric Literature is not a responsibility I shouldered alone. As a nonprofit, Electric Literature does not belong to any one person; it belongs to all of us. To the staff, to the thousands of writers we publish and pay, and to the millions of readers who read their work for free every day.

Electric Literature is undergoing an exciting transition as I step away and other staff members take the reins. We’ve set a more ambitious goal for this spring fundraiser so that EL’s new leadership has the security to face whatever challenges lie ahead. Their vision for Electric Literature is fresh and inspiring and worthy of your investment. Together, we are strong, and the future of literature is bright.

I’m asking you, once more, to support this organization we all love before the April 15 deadline. We’re still over $20,000 away from our $35,000 target—maybe this goal is ambitious, but it’s what we need, so it’s what we’re asking for. Time is running out; please give generously.

Gratefully yours, 

Halimah Marcus
Executive Director

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