Trying to get kids interested in writing can be difficult for parents and teachers, but contests are a great way to inspire them. Combining prizes with writing for an organization that supports causes they're interested in makes it even better. The Young Voices Foundation is a recognized 501(c)(3) educational charitable organization with tax-exempt status in the US that encourages young writers grades K through 12 through poetry and writing contests for cash prizes.
The contests are open to US students in grades K-12. There are three categories:
- Category 1: Grades 7-12
- Category 2: Grades 3-6
- Category 3: Grades K-2
Young Voices was founded by Bobbi Carducci, a book author and former newspaper senior staff writer. She's a self-taught writer who founded the organization to mentor and encourage young writers. Young Voices has a program called Write for a Cause. Charitable organizations, the Boy and Girl Scouts, and civic groups can have an anthology of stories or poems by members published by the Foundation to keep or use as a fundraiser.
Some examples of current and previous contest themes include:
- Speak of Heroes Among Us (a fiction or nonfiction short story about a hero among us)
- Emerging Writers
- Young Voices of America Speak Through Poetry
- Young Voices of America Exercise Their Creativity (this one is referred to as a major prize contest)
