Creative writing changes lives. It’s fun, meaningful, and an essential tool of wellness and healing. But too often, creative writing courses are not accessible to people who need them most. 

That’s why Redbud exists. We are a community organization that provides the community, catharsis, and craft of writing to everyone, not just those who can afford it. Since 2019, we have taught thousands of students in MFA-level fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and novel-writing classes. We've instructed students from all walks of life, from burned-out tech workers to unhoused folks.

Our goal is to raise $30,000 by midnight on Friday, Sept. 19, which is the day of our annual fundraising gala.

How will you use the $30,000?

We're holding this fundraiser for three reasons.

1. Keeping Redbud tuition costs affordable.

We provide subsidized tuition options for our writing classes, and 98 percent of our students over the years have benefited from that option. Supporting Redbud means keeping our tuition costs low and accessible. 

2. Our scholarship fund.

To date, Redbud has offered more than $25,000 in scholarships to students who cannot afford to pay any tuition for our courses. Our scholarship fund has helped low-income single mothers to write their books in our Novel Intensive; it’s helped writers of color craft short stories in our Intro to Fiction courses. More scholarships means more opportunities for writers who hail from marginalized or under-represented backgrounds.

3. Completely free classes for marginalized and under-represented writers.

Redbud offers tuition-free community classes for survivors of domestic violence; BIPOC writers; unhoused writers; low-income seniors living in a rural area; writers seeking to set down their stories of reproductive justice; and more. We’ve partnered with InterAct, Planned Parenthood, the Durham Center for Senior Life, RUMAH, Raleigh Rescue Mission, and Healing Transitions to create safe spaces for hundreds of students to connect with others and tell their stories. As one student, L, said, “This class changed my life.” And another, J, said, “The class provides such a beautiful space for survivors of domestic violence to come together to not only process various trauma through creative writing, but also to build community.”

In 2026, we are rolling out a new class for people in addiction recovery as well as a program for incarcerated writers. 

More than ever, our community needs safe, uplifting, cathartic spaces to connect and tell stories. Donate today!