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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowWriters’ Center of Indiana is suspending its operations after learning that it won’t get a grant it needs to meet 2009 expenses.
Program Director Barbara Shoup notified writing instructors by e-mail Jan. 3 that winter and spring classes are canceled.
“As you probably already know, most charitable giving organizations in the city are diverting the majority of their funds to human services due to the current economic situation,” she wrote.
Writers’ Center offers classes and general support for literary endeavors out of offices at the Indianapolis Art Center in Broad Ripple. In the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007, the center had revenue of $140,722; three-quarters of that came from contributions.
The 30-year-old organization is one of a multitude of small not-for-profits that could be vulnerable as grant-makers and individuals alike evaluate their funding priorities. Arts groups are especially at risk after Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard cut city arts funding by $500,000 – a third of what had been appropriated in the past.
Shoup declined to provide specifics about the lost grant, saying the board of directors is still adjusting to the abrupt change in circumstances.
One major source of funding has been the Central Indiana Community Foundation. Vice President for Grant Making Joanna Nixon said CICF has not yet given official notice on 2009 grants, but “there is going to be an emphasis on human services and basic-needs grant making in 2009.”
Writers’ Center also has received grants from the Allen Whitehill Clowes Foundation, Glick Family Foundation and smaller foundations.
Shoup, a young-adult author, was supposed to become executive director in 2009. There’s no money for salaries, so the center will shift to all-volunteer mode. “We’re not closing down, but we will be making some major changes,” she said.
Shoup said the plan is to partner with other groups to continue some programs and maintain a presence in the community. “So when these hard times are over we can emerge intact,” she said.
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