Open Letter
January 2025

January 13, 2025
 
Dear Community, 
 
We would like to share an update about the future of the Lexington Writer’s Room. Over the past five years, we have received tremendous support from communities here in Kentucky and across the country. We have made a difference in the lives of hundreds of writers who have walked through our doors, and especially those whose need-based memberships we have partially or fully subsidized thanks to generous donations. 
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That is, in fact, the core of our nonprofit—we pay at least 60 percent of the cost of each membership, and even more for writers in need of financial assistance, who often come from underrepresented and marginalized groups. Our goal has always been to enable as many writers as possible to have access to an inspiring, professional workspace and to the kind of writing community usually only available in larger cities. Our current membership is just shy of 100 writers, all of whom are partially or fully subsidized.
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As we approach the end of our lease in June, we have reached a crossroads. Last year, we hired an executive director to do an analysis of our financial structure and fundraising needs, and to begin seeking ways to expand and improve our future growth. The simple fact is we need to raise a significant amount of money to enter into a new lease at either our existing or a new location for the coming years. We will need to raise at least $75,000 by March 1st to guarantee a new lease and to ensure the financial future of the Writer’s Room.
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Increasing the rate that we charge writers goes against our core mission, which is to be accessible for those who need our support the most.We must find other ways to meet our budget shortfall. We wish it weren’t so, but if we cannot come up with a solution, we will be closing our doors in late June. We will honor our five years of operation the right way, by supporting our members until the end. 
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To be clear, we have no desire to close. In fact, we have lots of plans and opportunities that we’ve identified for the future, and we would love to implement them! But we need your help in order to do that. We need your help so we can continue to foster creativity, cultivate the arts, and provide support to hundreds of writers—both in Kentucky and beyond.
 
How can you help?
 

• Do you know an individual or corporate donor who would be interested in meeting with us? Send them our way as soon as possible.

• Are you an organization with shared values who is looking for a strategic partner with a beautiful space in downtown Lexington for events, classes, workshops or meetings? Come talk to us during January or early February.

• Would you like to donate to support local writers and help keep our doors open? You can do so on our Donation page. 

 
Whatever happens next, we are grateful for this journey. You can contact us via email at board@lexwritersroom.org. To learn more about us, visit our website lexwritersroom.org.
 
With gratitude,
 
Gwenda Bond, Board Chair, Co-Founder
Lisa Haneberg, Board member, Co-Founder
Jeff Hoagland, Executive Director

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Download a PDF version of this letter.