A One-Time Opportunity for Small Presses Formerly Distributed by Small Press Distribution
On March 28, 2024, Small Press Distribution (SPD), the country’s only nonprofit distributor of literary publishers that had been in operation for 55 years, abruptly closed, leaving over 300 small presses without distribution for their books. The Small Press Future Fund aims to support those presses negatively impacted by SPD’s closure by providing funding for projects that will strengthen operations and distribution efforts as they recover.
Through the Small Press Future Fund, publishers distributed by SPD at the time of its closure may apply for one-year grants of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 to implement projects that will help stabilize and strengthen their operations during this transition, as they recover inventory, secure new distribution and warehousing solutions, and implement improved internal systems and publicity/marketing strategies. This funding opportunity aims to ensure that former SPD presses have a bright future ahead and are able to continue their essential publishing efforts. Applications to directly reimburse losses related to SPD’s closure will not be considered. All grant recipients will also receive a free one-year membership to CLMP, providing them with additional resources and support.
The deadline to submit applications was December 2, 2024, 5 p.m. ET.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be presses that were distributed by SPD at the time of its closure.
- Applicants do not have to have 501(c)3 status. Any press, regardless of its business model, that was distributed by SPD at the time of its closure is eligible.
- Applicants must primarily publish literary works (over 50% of work published must be fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, drama, and/or literary reviews).
- Applicants that primarily publish children’s literature, children’s writing are not eligible.
- Self-publishers (over 50% of content published by authors on staff) and “hybrid” publishers (in which authors pay for part or all of publication costs) are not eligible.
- Applicants must have published at least one title within the past 24 months.
- Applicants must still be operational.
The decisions of CLMP as to eligibility, both initially and throughout the grant period, are final.
Review Process
Grant recipients will be recommended by an independent panel. Final grant decisions will be approved by a committee of the CLMP Board of Directors.
Timeline
- October 28, 2024: Application portal opens
- December 2, 2024, 5 p.m. ET: Application portal closes
- mid-January 2025: Applicants notified; funds disbursed
- January 5, 2026: Final reports due
Application Deadline
Complete application, including all materials, must be received by CLMP via Submittable by December 2, 2024, at 5 p.m. ET. CLMP assumes no responsibility for applications not received due to user or technical error.
Information Session
CLMP held an information session about the Small Press Future Fund on November 4. View the recording here and below.
Funding for the Small Press Future Fund is provided by the Mellon Foundation.
