826LA

826LA
Name	826LA
Type	Nonprofit organization
Founded	2005
Location	Los Angeles, California, United States
Founder	Nínive Calegari; Dave Eggers (affiliated founders)
Area served	Los Angeles County
Focus	Youth writing, literacy, storytelling

826LA is a nonprofit organization based in Los Angeles that supports youth writing and literacy through tutoring, workshops, publications, and community programs. Founded in 2005, the organization operates from a distinctive storefront and offers free writing tutoring, teacher support, and creative projects for children and teenagers across Los Angeles County. 826LA connects young writers with volunteers and institutions to publish work, stage performances, and distribute free resources to families and schools.

History

826LA was established in 2005 as part of a network inspired by an original model launched in San Francisco in 2002. The founding period involved collaboration with figures and institutions such as Nínive Calegari, Dave Eggers, San Francisco Writers' Grotto, 826 Valencia, Los Angeles Unified School District, and local community organizations. Early growth intersected with initiatives led by 826 National and partnerships with cultural organizations including Hammer Museum, The Getty Center, Los Angeles Public Library, Walt Disney Company, and Los Angeles Times, helping to expand volunteer bases and programmatic reach. Over time, 826LA has engaged with civic processes and local arts policy through interactions with Mayor of Los Angeles, City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, and neighborhood councils in areas such as Echo Park, Leimert Park, and Los Feliz.

Programs and Services

826LA provides after-school tutoring, in-school workshops, summer programs, and teen writing labs that serve students from elementary through high school. Academic and creative offerings include one-on-one writing tutoring, manuscript coaching, zine-making workshops, storytelling labs, and college-essay support, often delivered in partnership with institutions like University of Southern California, University of California, Los Angeles, California State University, Northridge, and Occidental College. Specialized programs address needs in communities served by LAUSD, refugee and immigrant youth reached through collaborations with International Rescue Committee, and unhoused youth supported via partnerships with Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority and Coalition for Responsible Community Development. Volunteer networks draw from professional communities including journalists from Los Angeles Times, authors affiliated with Poets & Writers, editors from Penguin Random House, and educators connected to National Writing Project.

Pirate Supply Store

The organization's street-level presence is a themed retail space operating as the Pirate Supply Store, a concept modeled after the original San Francisco location and similar storefronts linked to 826 Valencia, 826NYC, and 826CHI. The store sells novelty items, handmade books by student authors, and curated goods, pairing retail sales with literary promotion to fund programming. Merchandise and special releases have involved creators and entities such as Jon Scieszka, Mo Willems, Mac Barnett, Shaun Tan, Neil Gaiman, Random House Children's Books, and independent makers from Arts District Los Angeles. The storefront also hosts readings, launch events, and themed fundraisers drawing support from cultural venues like The Broad, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and literary festivals including Los Angeles Times Festival of Books.

Organization and Funding

826LA operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with governance provided by a board of directors composed of educators, writers, entrepreneurs, and civic leaders. Funding streams include individual donations, foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, and revenue from the Pirate Supply Store and special events. Major philanthropic partners have included The Annenberg Foundation, The California Endowment, The James Irvine Foundation, Weingart Foundation, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and donor campaigns involving figures such as Oprah Winfrey-affiliated initiatives and supporting foundations from media companies like Warner Bros., Netflix, and Sony Pictures Entertainment. Fiscal management and program evaluation incorporate best practices cited by nonprofit networks including GuideStar, Charity Navigator, and research collaboratives at RAND Corporation and UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs.

Notable Projects and Publications

826LA has produced numerous student-authored books, zines, and multimedia projects distributed to schools, libraries, and community centers. Publications and projects have featured collaborations with authors and illustrators such as David Sedaris, Raina Telgemeier, Ellen Hopkins, Kathy Kelly, and Jacqueline Woodson on special editions and fundraising anthologies. High-profile projects include citywide writing initiatives tied to public art programs with Los Angeles County Museum of Art and youth storytelling series developed for broadcast and podcast formats alongside producers from KCRW, KPCC, and NPR. The organization’s pedagogical materials have been referenced in curricula used by educators affiliated with Teach For America, Alliance for Excellent Education, and school districts beyond Los Angeles.

Partnerships and Community Impact

826LA’s impact is amplified through partnerships with schools, libraries, arts organizations, and media. Long-term collaborations include projects with Los Angeles Public Library, California Humanities, City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, and arts nonprofits such as 826 Valencia-affiliated chapters, LAXART, and UCLA Center for the Art of Performance. Community outcomes reported in program evaluations link participating youth to improved literacy outcomes cited by researchers at USC Rossier School of Education and community indicators tracked by LA County Department of Public Health. Public events and alumni networks connect former students to internships and careers via relationships with publishers, media companies, and arts institutions including The New Yorker, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, Getty Research Institute, and municipal cultural programs.

Category:Non-profit organizations based in Los Angeles