Why Fundraising Matters and Why I’m Glad to be a Part of It!
By Emily Ross
When I joined the board at Yellow Arrow I already knew how transformative their work was for women-identifying writers. I have thoroughly enjoyed being involved and hearing from our writers and program participants about how unique and community-minded Yellow Arrow is. And Yellow Arrow does it all! From publications to workshops to the writers-in-residence program, and community partnerships, I’m always amazed by how wide-reaching and deep-meaning Yellow Arrow’s programs are.
But as powerful as the programs are, they do not run on passion alone. It takes staff, web hosting, author stipends, workshop instructors, and marketing costs, among many other things to make this work possible. Fundraising is how we make it happen. Unlike a for-profit business, any revenue we generate, from chapbook sales or workshop fees, must go back to serving our mission. This leaves a gap between our generated revenue and the costs associated with our programs. Donations, grants, and sponsorships are how we close that gap and allow Yellow Arrow to stay sustainable and grow.
I see both the fundraiser and fund-giving side of this equation every day. As a grantmaking professional, I talk with prospective grant applicants, read applications, and coach organizations to become better grant writers. At Yellow Arrow, I help write and submit grants for our programs. This perspective has taught me how vital it is for nonprofits to diversify their funding, communicate their impact clearly, and build relationships with funders who share our values.
Fundraising is more than just the money. It’s about building a community around a mission, creating opportunities for people to invest in something they care about, and amplifying voices who might otherwise go unheard. When a donor, foundation, or workshop participant supports Yellow Arrow, they’re not just keeping our lights on, but helping us provide free or sliding-scale submission fees for first-time writers, expand our residencies, and partner with other local arts organizations to reach new audiences.
Serving on the board at Yellow Arrow has shown me that every dollar fundraised, every grant, every donation, every membership translates directly into more space for women’s stories in the literary world. I’m passionate about fundraising and grateful to the Yellow Arrow community that makes it possible! Together, we’re not just publishing; we’re creating a more inclusive, empathetic, and vibrant literary community in Baltimore and beyond.
Join our 10-year anniversary campaign now as a donor to help us keep writing change into the world together. What we can do in the next 10 years is BOUNDLESS—but it starts with you.
Ready to write our change into the world? DONATE TODAY.
Emily Ross (she/her) is an arts and humanities professional with expertise in museum education, social work, and grantmaking. Working at the intersection of culture and human services she champions collaboration and community voices in her career. She holds a BA in art history from the University of Virginia and an MSW from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. She currently works as the program officer for grants at Maryland Humanities. Based in Baltimore, she enjoys trips to the Renaissance Fair, New England beaches, and art museums.
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Yellow Arrow Publishing is a nonprofit supporting women-identifying writers through publication and access to the literary arts. You can support us as we BLAZE a path for women-identifying creatives this year by purchasing one of our publications or a workshop from the Yellow Arrow bookstore, for yourself or as a gift, joining our newsletter, following us on Facebook and Instagram, or subscribing to our YouTube channel. Donations are appreciated via PayPal (staff@yellowarrowpublishing.com), Venmo (@yellowarrowpublishing), or US mail (PO Box 65185, Baltimore, Maryland 21209). More than anything, messages of support through any one of our channels are greatly appreciated.