Giving to the Center
Increasing access to the literary arts
Creating a community of writers (and readers)
“Writing is our way forward. Thinking, writing, speaking – we can
each contribute something good to the story of the world.” - Alberto Ríos
Piper supports writers and writing in fulfillment of our mission, “to create brave spaces where individuals can discover and share their stories.”
A growing body of evidence confirms that creative writing not only builds literacy and writing skills but also reduces stress, fosters resilience and self-confidence and builds problem-solving skills.
Help us forge a community in which all voices are valued and every story is heard.
Your impact
Thanks to your caring and support Piper is growing
- In 2024, the Desert Nights, Rising Stars (DNRS) Writers Conference welcomed 418 attendees for three days of writing workshops, readings, and panels. We awarded 15 full scholarships and offered over half-off registration to Arizona educators, military personnel, students, people with disabilities, and ASU students, faculty, and staff.
- Outreach programs served 545 area residents with free creative writing workshops, open mics, and other community-based programs.
- Piper Writers Studio offered excellent fair-cost writing classes and workshops and experienced a 50% jump in enrollment, serving 189 community members.
- The Distinguished Visiting Writers Series (DVWS) hosted free readings and conversations with nationally known writers like US Poet Laureate Joy Harjo, novelist Tommy Orange, poet Ellen Bryant Voigt, and many more. In 2024, DVWS programs served 371 community members.
How Your Support Grows Piper Programs
Help us bring the very best of creative writing and creative writing education to you.
- Your gift of $25 funds snacks and supplies for Outreach programs providing free writing workshops and other literary programs to veterans, school children, and patrons of all ages at Tempe and Phoenix public libraries.
- Your gift of $50 underwrites Arizona Educator Scholarships, giving Arizona teachers the opportunity to attend the Desert Nights, Rising Stars Writers Conference for free.
- Your gift of $100 offers community scholarships to Piper Writer Studio, ensuring all
members of our community have access to exceptional, fair-cost creative writing education. - Your gift of $250 funds a trained teaching artist to provide free community writing
workshops, allowing often overlooked communities to write and share their stories. - Your gift of $500 builds literary legacy by supporting on-site programs at Piper Writers House, from historical tours of the house to free workshops and readings, creating a vibrant center for literary engagement and exploration at the heart of the ASU campus.
New Partnerships
In 2023, Piper became the home of CantoMundo, a national organization that supports Latinx poets through an annual retreat and workshop. CantoMundo fellows have gone on to achieve extraordinary careers nationwide as prizewinners, poet laureates, and professors.
“This retreat has been so supportive, nurturing, and inspiring.” -CantoMundo 2024 fellow
Making your gift
Supporting scholarships, community outreach programs, and more
Your generosity allows Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing to provide excellent literary programming to the widest possible audience. We are so grateful to you!
When making your gift using the link below, your payment will be processed through a secure page hosted by the ASU Foundation.
If you have any questions, contact us via email at pipercenter.info@asu.edu.We also welcome your feedback and ideas.
Thank you for your support and for being part of our community!
