The AWF's work underscores the highest humanistic ideals of Aspen Institute founder Walter Paepcke: to better understand human challenges by cultivating one's inner life through the exchange of words, stories, and ideas. Our greatest goals are to provoke thought, broaden perspectives, foster connections, inspire creativity, and give voice. By sharing ideas and stories, we focus on our shared humanity and inspire people to become more engaged in their communities.
This is only possible through the financial support of avid writers and book-lovers like you.
Become a member today and enjoy direct access to the brightest lights of the literary world and provide opportunities for up-and-coming writers of all ages.
"We give to AWF because it brings not only an astonishing array of writersinto our community, but also provides the opportunity for aspiring writers of all ages to flourish and develop through AWF programs.AWF has a unique footprint in this valley:it celebrates the scions of fiction and non fiction, along with supporting the underpinning of creativity in its programming."
- Isa Catto and Daniel Shaw
"We give because there is no better place to interact with world renowned writers in intimate settings than at AWF."
- Denny and Linda Vaughn
"I give to AWF because I love reading and enjoy the opportunity AWF gives me to meet and listen to world famous writers read and discuss their work.Also, AWF's creative and efficient staff and volunteers provide wonderful reading and writing programs for our Valley children, and with Story Swap, for children around the world.It's simply the biggest bang for my philanthropic buck ... and I love bargains!"
-Gerri Karetsky
"There is always the idea of privilege in Aspen, in the very best sense of the word. There's the privilege of the landscape, the privilege of the reachable silence, and then there's the privilege of the town itself. But most of all, in literary terms, there's the privilege of community, the idea that books can extend and reach out and shake hands with readers that have not been met before. There's the old Irish saying that there is no such thing as a stranger, only friends we haven't yet met. I felt that distinctly in Aspen. The community of words reached out, and met other words, and worlds."
- Colum McCann, author of Let the Great World Spin
"[Because of the AWF], I have discovered the inspirational writing of Firoozeh Dumas and Alexandra Fuller, and was star struck by David Wroblewski, Colum McCann and Tobias Wolff; I learned a little something from Jared Diamond, and a lot from Terry Tempest Williams. And yet, interacting with successful authors is just a tiny part of what the AWF offers. Ultimately, the AWF enriches my daily life in Aspen. I am a better, more insightful person thanks to the wonderful community the staff at AWF has nurtured."
