Support the work
About this campaign
Stomping Grounds Literary Arts Initiative works primarily with incarcerated and underserved youth across Chicago, providing free access to literary arts, visual arts, and audio production. Your donation helps sustain our programs, support teaching artists, and ensure young people continue to have spaces where their voices matter.
How Your Donation Supports the Work
Every contribution directly supports creative opportunities for young people across Chicago—especially those impacted by incarceration and systemic inequity. Your support helps us keep programs free, pay artists fairly, and sustain high-quality creative spaces.
Giving Levels & Impact
$50 — Amplifies a Youth Voice
Covers the advantage-rate cost to mix and master one youth-created song, helping a young person hear their work at a professional standard.
$100 — Preserves Youth Stories
Funds a print run of 50 copies of Locked Achievements, a youth-created publication featuring writing and artwork from incarcerated young people.
$150 — Reinvests in Our Alumni
Pays a program alumnus for a 3-hour AVP (audio/visual production) gig, creating paid opportunities and leadership pathways.
$250 — Brings Art Into the Classroom
Covers one teaching artist session in a classroom or juvenile detention center.
$300 — Centers Youth Performance
Supports an Open Stage act and performer at Pocket Con, ensuring youth creatives are paid and celebrated.
$500 — Builds Creative Skills
Funds a Pocket Con workshop, providing hands-on instruction and mentorship for young artists.
$1,000 — Elevates Youth Work
Supports a youth arts exhibition, including space, materials, and presentation costs.
$1,500 — Brings Art Inside
Supports our featured performer for the Juvenile Summer Exhibition, bringing professional artistry and inspiration directly to incarcerated youth.
$2,500 — Sustains a 9-Week Program
Funds a 9-week arts program at the JTDC, covering instruction, materials, and program coordination.
$5,000 — Expands Teaching Capacity
Supports two teaching artists for a full 9-week session, significantly expanding our reach and impact.