Frequently Asked Questions

• Who founded A Room Of Her Own Foundation?
  A Room Of Her Own was founded in 2000. Darlene Chandler Bassett arrived at Georgia O’Keefe’s Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico for a women’s retreat with a copy of Virginia Woolf’s A Room of One’s Own in her backpack. Mary Johnson also arrived at Ghost Ranch after having served twenty years as a nun in the congregation founded by Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Their meeting inspired them to form A Room of Her Own Foundation. Please visit Inside Our Room/The Inspiration for more information.
• How do I contact A Room Of Her Own Foundation?
  Please email your questions and comments to info@aroomofherownfoundation.org, or write to us at: A Room Of Her Own Foundation
  P.O.Box 778
  Placitas, NM 87043
• How do I sign up for A Room Of Her Own Foundations online newsletter?
  Our online newsletter contains important information about the upcoming programs and events taking place.
  
  Please sign up here.

• Why do we give an award of $50,000 to one woman writer biennially?
  We are working to bridge the gap between a woman’s economic reality and her artistic creation. We believe women’s creativity has an important impact that on society and we are dedicated to providing resources (monetary and nonmonetary) to help women find a room of their own.
• What are the categories for the Gift of Freedom award?
  The 2009 Gift of Freedom Award categories are poetry, playwriting, creative nonfiction, and fiction.
• How often is the Gift of Freedom award given?
  The Gift of Freedom award is given every other year. The next GOF will be awarded in 2009.
• Do you need to be a published writer to win the Gift of Freedom award?
  Applicants of the GOF award do not need to be published writers. We are looking for women who have solid creative goals and a specific project to accomplish during the two-year term of the grant. We are also interested in helping women who have a track record of commitment to their art and who are also making a substantial effort to be self-sufficient. Please visit the Gift of Freedom section of the website for more information.
• How much money is the Gift of Freedom award?
  The GOF is an award of $50,000 given over a two year period.
• When is the Deadline?
  The deadline is October 31, 2008.
• Why do we ask for an application fee?
  AROHO is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. We ask for an application fee to help pay for the costs involved with processing and administering the GOF award.
• How do I apply for the visual arts award?
  We currently do not offer a visual arts award; however, there has been one awarded in the past. Please sign up for our newsletter to receive updated information about upcoming Gift of Freedom Award categories.
• Can tax transcripts be used for the tax returns?
  Tax transcripts are acceptable for the tax returns. Please be sure to sign the transcripts before submitting them with your application.
• If my income is too high will I still be eligible for the award?
  Income does affect the winner, but only if you already have the money and the time to write. If you find that you do not have the time to write the way you would like to, you would still qualify for the award. We look at whether or not the winner would be able to financially afford to take two years off of work and concentrate on her writing.
• How can the grant money be spent?
  The recipient of the award may use the money in various ways as long as the money is being applied toward the completion of their project. All expenses for the project, as well as living expenses, would be covered.
• Do I need to be an experienced writer in order to qualify for the grant?
  You do not need to be an experienced writer in order to qualify for the grant. We are looking for outstanding writing, and a motivated woman writer who has solid, creative goals, and a specific project with a plan to accomplish it.
• If the award category covers several different genres can I apply for all of them?
  There is only one genre allowed per application; however, you may submit more than one application in different genres. The application fee will apply to each application, and please mail each application in separate envelopes.
• Will all my essays be read by the same judges?
  All essays are read by the same judging panel. You may refer to previous essays when writing other essays.
• 
  Straight Talk About Grants

• When is the next retreat?
  The next Retreat will be August 10-16, 2009 at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico. Please sign up for our online newsletter here to receive more information about the Retreat.
• How do I find out more information about the retreat?
  Please sign up for our online newsletter here to receive more information about the Retreat.
• What kind of Scholarships are available?
  We offer a range of scholarships for our Retreat. Please visit Writers’ Retreat/2009 Retreat for information on retreat scholarships and more.