Access Funds
What are Access Funds?
The Loft Access Fund program strives to make Loft classes and offerings accessible for as many constituents as possible and remove all barriers, including financial ones, to participate in our programming. The Loft's Access Fund program has assisted hundreds of people in joining our programs and advancing their skills as writers.
Apply for Year-Long Writing Project Access Funds (Opens September 22, 2026)
The Loft's Year-Long Writing Projects can help you take the next year to make your novel, memoir, nonfiction, or poetry collection the best you can make it. The Year-Long Writing Project is the only Loft offering that requires a separate Access Fund application from the Access Fund Pool. Seats are highly competitive, so learn more and apply below! There is at least one award per cohort.
Testimonial
“I want to express my gratitude for the generous Access Funds–once again Loft is playing an important role in my journey as a writer…”
Year-Long Writing Project Evaluation Criteria
We are able to offer 1 Access Funds seats in each cohort. If tuition is a barrier for you and you identify as someone from a marginalized background, we encourage you to apply.
Application questions:
- Please describe your manuscript and its stage of development.
- Why do you want to participate in The Loft's Year-Long Writing Project? What can the Loft do to help you achieve your goals? What is your experience with writing workshops and writing communities?
The Winter 2027 Year-Long Writing Project Access Funds application opens September 22 - November 5, 2026
Please note: Year-Long Writing Project requires a separate Access Fund application from other Loft classes.
- What other writing communities or career-building opportunities have you experienced so far? How have you benefited from those, and what are you still seeking?
- What do you hope to accomplish during your year of study?
- Our access funds are intended to remove barriers to career growth for writers for whom fees are a barrier to participation and/or who are underrepresented in publishing. What barriers do you hope this access fund will remove for you?
Access Fund Offerings
A variety of Loft programming is available at a discounted rate with Access Funds, including adult classes, youth classes, Year-Long Writing Projects, and more. The Loft's Access Fund program is accepting applications on a rolling basis. Priority is given to Minnesota applicants. Once admitted, students will join a pool of participants who can request Loft offerings for discounted tuition. Students may remain in the Pool for up to 3 years before re-applying. The Loft's Access Fund program is supported by the generosity of the Friends of Loft and general supporters and through grant contributions.
Youth Access Funds
Access Funds reduce the cost of class tuition — student pays on a sliding fee schedule of 10% or 25% of the cost of tuition. There is at least one Access Fund seat in each youth class, but please give us a call or send an email to see what is available! Join the Youth Access Funds Pool to learn about discounted classes and events on a monthly basis. Please contact the Loft’s education department at 612-379-8999 or [email protected] if you have any questions regarding youth access funds.