THE BREW & FORGE BOOK FAIR
BUY A BOOK, BUILD A MOVEMENT.
The Brew & Forge Book Fair brings together readers and writers to support the people at the forefronts of movements for liberation, justice, and survival. Since our founding in 2016, the Book Fair has mobilized over hundreds of authors and raised over $36,000 for grassroots movement organizations.
Image description: a collage of brightly colored book covers
How it Works
1. AUTHORS SIGN UP TO PARTICIPATE
They commit a few signed copies of their own books—fiction, nonfiction, poetry, YA, and more. We also work with some of our favorite independent presses to donate books.
2. DONATING AUTHORS VOTE ON WHO TO SUPPORT
We put together a list of 5 great grassroots organizations that are building power and working toward liberation, and all participating authors vote for their favorites.
3. THE BOOK FAIR GOES LIVE!
Books are posted online at brewandforge.com for 1-2 weeks for the public to purchase.
4. BOOKS GO IN THE MAIL
Authors and presses send their books directly to the people who purchased them (sometimes with a cute note attached).
5. WE SEND THE PROCEEDS DIRECTLY TO THE CHOSEN ORGANIZATION
After processing fees and 5% to help cover our operating costs, this usually comes out to a $4000-$7000 grant, with no need to fill out an application—all raised from mailing great books around the country!
Who We Support
SPARK Reproductive Justice NOW, our 2022 grantee org. Image from Borealis Philanthropy. Description: A crowd of people gathers on the steps of a government buildings, holding signs that say “Stop the Bans” and “Abortion: No Shame.” At the front, a Black femme person speaks into a bullhorn with their hand raised.
A panel of volunteers with experience and knowledge about the grassroots movement organizing landscape works together to select our funding nominees each year. This panel uses the following criteria to nominate organizations:
JUSTICE FRAMEWORK
Is engaged in active campaigns for racial justice, climate justice, carceral abolition, LGBTQ+ liberation, worker power, and/or indigenous sovereignty, as well as—and especially—the intersections between these struggles.
IMPACT
Has a local focus and a relatively small operating budget (typically under $1M) and/or limited access to traditional funding sources. Organizations do not require 501(c)3 status to be funded.
COMMUNITY POWER
Builds power in oppressed communities, centering the leadership and/or autonomy of BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disabled, immigrant, and/or working class people.
STRATEGY
Leverages grassroots power and utilizes direct action as one of multiple tactics to challenge the root causes of oppression. We are particularly interested in organizations that use an intersectional lens to rebuild as well as to dismantle.
TRACK RECORD
Has built a strong reputation among local and national networks of movement workers. In order to avoid draining capacity from organizations by requiring applications, we rely on referrals, community connections, and our own research.
In order to limit the burden placed on movement organizers, we don’t require applications, but anyone can nominate an organization for consideration. If you have a recommendation or are interested in being part of the funding panel, please email hello [at] brewandforge [dot] com.
GRANTEES
2024
Addameer
2023
Palestinian Feminist Collective
2022
SPARK Reproductive Justice NOW
2021
Black Queer & Intersectional Collective
2020
Close the Jail ATL
2019
Black Mesa Water Coalition
Spring 2018
Freedom, Inc
Winter 2018
Organización Latina de Trans en Texas
Spring 2017
BYP100 Detroit
Winter 2017
Youth Justice Coalition
2016
Assata’s Daughters
GET INVOLVED
Email hello[at]brewandforge[dot]com to get involved as a(n)...
AUTHOR
We're always looking for new books, especially fiction, nonfiction, YA, and children's books! Email us, and we'll send you a form to fill out your info. November 12 is the deadline to donate if you want to participate in the voting process! We are asking everyone to sign and mail their books by Saturday, December 16.
PUBLISHER
We also work with a number of wonderful independent presses who donate a number of (unsigned) books every year. Past presses have included AK Press, Graywolf Press, Haymarket Books, Milkweed Editions, Kaya Press, The New Press, Small Beer Press, and Catapult Book Group. We're lucky to be part of such a rich literary ecosystem!
VOLUNTEER
A crew of dedicated volunteers runs the Book Fair every year, led by our coordinators. Email us if you'd like the participate in making this thing happen!
#TINYBOOKFAIR
At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we put together a free resource guide for authors to lead small-scale fundraisers for organizations and mutual aid funds in their local communities. In the spirit of the Brew & Forge Book Fair, six participating authors collectively raised a little over $4000 in a few weeks by offering signed copies of their books.