Red Hen Press in Pasadena initiates GoFundMe campaign to address financial crisis.

Red Hen Press, a Pasadena-based nonprofit publisher, is confronting significant challenges as it approaches a new fiscal year. Established for over three decades, the organization faces an array of setbacks, including recent natural disasters and financial constraints, which threaten its ability to continue its programming and publishing activities.

As the organization prepares for 2025, it has experienced a serious reduction in financial support. Among the most notable events, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has ceased its funding, combined with a broader decline in donations amidst a struggling economy. Tobi Harper Petrie, the deputy and marketing director for Red Hen, emphasized the difficulties the nonprofit has encountered, stating that the multitude of challenges feels relentless.

In light of the dire circumstances, Red Hen Press has opted to explore crowdfunding as a means of securing its financial future. The organization recently launched a campaign on a crowdfunding platform, aiming to raise 0,000 to address an immediate funding gap. Harper Petrie noted the significant impact that the loss of funding and support has had on the ability of Red Hen to produce its planned programming.

Red Hen Press has gained a reputation for publishing notable works, including the poetry of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Percival Everett and other significant titles. However, the organization has faced a series of unfortunate events that exacerbated its financial strain. The recent Eaton fire, while sparing the main building, led to damage from high winds that required urgent repairs. Compounding these challenges, severe flooding also impacted the facilities, causing further complications.

Most recently, Red Hen Press suffered a significant theft when copper wiring was stripped from the air conditioning units on the roof, resulting in an estimated loss of ,000. These cumulative setbacks have left the 12-person organization in a precarious financial position, prompting urgent action to secure operational funding.

Tobi Harper Petrie and publisher Kate Gale expressed concern over the organization’s future, especially after the Literary Arts Fund announced its latest grant recipients, leaving Red Hen without a hoped-for financial boost. Through the crowdfunding campaign, Red Hen seeks to not only survive these tumultuous times but to continue fulfilling its mission of supporting diverse storytelling on the West Coast.

With a fundraising effort underway, the organization is appealing to a community of authors, readers, and supporters to rally in support of its ongoing endeavors. As Red Hen Press pursues solutions to its financial hurdles, it hopes to maintain its vital presence in the independent publishing landscape and uphold its commitment to amplifying unique voices in literature.

To learn more about the GoFundMe campaign and support Red Hen Press, visit the crowdfunding website.