Listen to our voices here and here!

Donate now and double your gift!

This year, thanks to an Anonymous Foundation Donor, all new or increased gifts to the Neighborhood Writing Alliance will be matched dollar-for-dollar. Any amount helps! Our generous partner will match gifts totaling up to $7,500 – join us today to make a difference!

The Neighborhood Writing Alliance (NWA) does far more than facilitate writing workshops and publish a magazine. We inspire adults in Chicago's low-income neighborhoods to incorporate writing and reflection into their everyday lives, and to think about their roles in the world around them. Some of the writers might have little formal education, others have been writing in secret for years, and for some, English is a second language. By espousing the idea that Every Person Is a Philosopher and providing the tools and discipline to transform life's experience into words, NWA brings people together, provides a forum for the exchange of ideas, and encourages people to share their stories.

NWA and the Journal of Ordinary Thought rely on the generosity of individuals who are committed to using writing as a tool for building community and generating ideas for positive social change. We encourage you to get involved and invest in our vision today. Click below to donate:

You can also send a check to:

Neighborhood Writing Alliance
Publishers of the Journal of Ordinary Thought
1313 East 60th Street
Suite 238
Chicago, IL 60637

For more information on ways to donate to NWA, please contact Carrie Spitler at 773-684-2742.