It’s Awards Season at the Impact and Legacy Fund

The Stephen Fraser Encouragement Fund is now open for submissions until October 16, 2023.

The Russell Freedman Award for Nonfiction for a Better World opens on September 15, 2023 and closes October 30, 2023.

The Charlotte and Wilbur Award for Compassion to Animals is open now until October 1, 2023.

Read on for information about how to apply to each award.

The Stephen Fraser Encouragement Fund

This award is open to authors, illustrators, and translators who have traditionally published at least one book, and are in need of a burst of encouragement to continue their incredible work. A judging panel will select three children’s book creators to receive a no-strings-attached award of $2,000 each.

Generously supported by Stephen Fraser, a veteran editor and now one of our industry’s most respected agents at The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency, this grant reflects Stephen’s commitment to supporting talent. He has long been an active participant in SCBWI regional and national conferences.

To apply for the Encouragement Fund, please provide the following through our website:

As a single PDF:

A 250 word bio

Your website or social media contacts, if you have them

The name(s) and publisher(s) of your most recently published book(s)

A maximum 500 word statement describing why you need a burst of encouragement and how receiving the grant would support that.

The Encouragement Fund is now open for the 2023/2024 season.

The Russell Freedman Award for Nonfiction for a Better World

This award is open to everyone who has a nonfiction children's or YA book traditionally published in 2023. The award consists of a $2,500 cash prize, plus $500 to purchase copies of the winning book for distribution to schools and libraries, plus a broadcast acceptance speech made available to the whole community. If both an author and illustrator are listed on the book cover, the prize will be split between them.

This award opens for submissions on September 12th, 2023.

To apply, please submit the following through our website.

As a single PDF:

Book title

Publisher

Publication date

A maximum 250 word book summary

A 500 word essay answering the following question: How will your book create a better world?

The Charlotte and Wilbur Award for Compassion for Animals

Founded by author and animal activist Karen Winnick, The Charlotte and Wilbur Award for Compassion for Animals will award one winning book and one honor book for their dedication to promoting compassion and respect for animals in their readers. The winning book will receive a prize of $2,500 and the honor book will receive $1,000. If the winning or honor book is a picture book, the prize will be split between the author and illustrator. Traditionally and self-published authors are encouraged to apply.

The award also includes the production and distribution of a video school visit for the winning creators, which will be widely distributed in the United States and globally. Following the video presentation, copies of the winning book will be available to schools and classrooms through renowned Los Angeles-based retailer Children’s Book World. Authors and illustrators must submit their own books for consideration.

To apply, please submit through our website:

As a single PDF

Publication date of your book 

A 250 word author bio

A 250 word essay answering the following question: In what way does the book inspire compassion and respect for animals in its readers?

A 250 word essay answering the following question: What inspired you to write about this animal (or animals)?

A PDF of your book

Note: if your PDF is larger than 20MB, please email the PDF as a single submission to ilfawards@scbwi.org

If you want to support the continued funding of these awards, please consider donating to the Impact and Legacy Fund.

DONATE HERE!