To preserve the freedom to read, teach, and learn in educational institutions

PEN America has submitted a proposal to the Public Policy Program to continue its work defending freedom of inquiry and the freedom to learn. The Foundation was among the first funders to recognize the importance of this work. Our investments since 2021 have helped PEN America to raise public awareness of organized efforts to restrict free expression and to build coalitions to defend it. PEN America has had real success, but efforts to ban books, restrict academic freedom, and intimidate teachers and librarians continue to evolve in response to these successes. This grant will enable PEN to continue to employ staff and to undertake programming to defend free expression.