Community Literature Initiative

What Community Literature Initiative does

Community Literature Initiative (CLI) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization (EIN 47-3601335) founded in 2014 and headquartered in Los Angeles, California. The organization is dedicated to teaching the art of poetry writing and book publishing through structured, cohort-based educational programs. Its core offerings include the Poetry Publishing Class (a 10-month program priced at $2,890), the Children's Book Publishing Class (8 months, $2,640), the Black Library Class at USC (2 semesters, $1,100), and a 12-week Book Making 101 course ($250). Supporting services include a Library Pillars alumni workshop, an 8-week Book Production Program with editing and design services, and CLI Books, a self-publishing service for graduates utilizing Amazon KDP and Ingram Spark for print-on-demand distribution.

CLI operates a chapter-based delivery model spanning 8+ regional locations across the United States, including USC, Long Beach, Orange County, Pomona, San Diego, Denver, Houston, and Austin, plus a National virtual chapter. Classes meet at partner libraries and on the USC campus, with monthly in-person sessions. The organization runs annual signature events — the Beach City Writers Conference and Author Draft — where students pitch finished manuscripts to publishers through its affiliated World Stage Press. The Sims Library of Poetry, the first Black-owned poetry library in California (opened in 2016 in South Los Angeles), serves as both a community hub and the Library Pillars chapter home.

CLI generates revenue through four streams: tuition and course fees (primary), tax-deductible donations (300+ individual donors), branded merchandise sales, and self-publishing service fees. Grants from the California Arts Council (2022, establishing the Maureen Piquette Haynes Scholarship), the Poetry Foundation ($40,000 in June 2024), and the LA Department of Cultural Affairs supplement programmatic operations. The organization is led by Executive Director and USC faculty member Hiram Sims, with a board that includes a CPA and a Season 1 alumna. CLI is currently in Season 13 of its core program cycle.

Name

Community Literature Initiative

Legal name

Community Literature Initiative

Website

https://communitylit.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Community Literature Initiative is a 501c3 nonprofit that teaches aspiring and seasoned poets how to write, develop, and publish books through cohort-based classes across 8+ US chapters. It also operates the Sims Library of Poetry and a self-publishing service for alumni.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Creative Writing and Book Publishing Education

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Libraries and Archives (51921)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Literary Arts & Writing Organizations (BPAGAHAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Creative Nonfiction & Memoir Workshops (EDAMAMAC), Manuscript Development Services (Coaching, Developmental Editing) (MPAJAJAF)

Keywords

• Creative writing education
• Poetry publishing classes
• Book production services
• Nonprofit arts education
• Community writing programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Course Fees: CLI generates primary revenue through tuition payments for its Poetry Publishing Class, Children's Book Class, Black Library Class, and Book Making 101 course. Payment options include monthly installments or full program payment.
2. Donations and Contributions: As a 501c3 non-profit organization, CLI receives tax-deductible donations from individual donors. The organization runs annual Give Words campaigns to support the Sims Library of Poetry.
3. Merchandise Sales: CLI operates an e-commerce shop selling branded merchandise including t-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, beanies, and tote bags with CLI and Sims Library logos.
4. CLI Books Self-Publishing Service: CLI Books is a self-publishing service for alumni who have completed two semesters. The service charges a $25 non-refundable consultation fee and tiered revision fees, with designers paid directly by authors for print-on-demand setup.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Community Literature Initiative is a 501c3 nonprofit that runs tuition-based educational programs teaching aspiring writers how to develop manuscripts and publish their own books. Its core offerings include a 10-month Poetry Publishing Class, an 8-month Children's Book Publishing Class, a Black Library Class held at USC, a 12-week Book Making 101 Course, and a Library Pillars Alumni Class for advanced writers. The organization supplements these classes with the CLI Books self-publishing service, professional book production services, branded merchandise sales, and operates the Sims Library of Poetry community hub in South Los Angeles.

Product overview

Community Literature Initiative is a 501c3 non-profit organization offering a portfolio of educational programs focused on teaching writers how to write, develop, and publish books. The core offerings include the Poetry Publishing Class (10-month program), Children's Book Publishing Class (8-month program), Black Library Class, and Book Making 101 Course. Supporting services include the Library Pillars Alumni Class for advanced writers, CLI Books self-publishing service for graduates, and the Sims Library of Poetry community resource. The Book Production Programs provide professional editing and design services. Financial aid is available through the Maureen Piquette Haynes Scholarship for Poetry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• World Stage Press: Partner press that publishes CLI alumni works and collaborates with the organization for book production.

Products and services

• Poetry Publishing Class A 10-month program training seasoned poets to create and finalize manuscripts for publication, culminating in book production and the annual Author Draft event where students pitch to publishers. Total cost $2,890 (registration $90 + tuition $2,500 + book production $300), with monthly payment option of $250/month. Designed for individual aspiring and experienced poets.
• Children's Book Publishing Class An 8-month course teaching writers to craft, refine, and publish illustrated picture books, with each student receiving a fully illustrated, bound children's book upon completion. Total cost $2,640 at $330/month. Taught by Charisse Sims; designed for individual aspiring children's book writers.
• Black Library Class An American literature class taught at USC focused on celebrating Black writers' accomplishments, where students build a personal Black library by receiving a book each week. Tuition is $220/month or $1,100 full program. Designed for individual adult learners interested in Black literary heritage.
• Book Making 101 Course A 12-week hybrid course teaching book production from start to finish, covering copy editing, cover design, interior layout, proofing, and printing options including Amazon KDP and IngramSpark. Tuition is $250 for the 12-week hybrid course. Designed for individual writers seeking production skills.
• Library Pillars Alumni Class Advanced workshop for CLI alumni to work on their second book, participate in workshops, and explore publishing opportunities. Cost is $250/month. Designed for individual CLI Poetry Publishing Class graduates.
• CLI Books Self-Publishing Service Self-publishing service for CLI graduates who have completed two semesters and book production, providing file revision, print-on-demand upload to Amazon KDP and Ingram Spark, and ISBN support. Charges a $25 non-refundable consultation fee plus tiered revision fees, with designers paid directly by authors. Designed for individual CLI alumni.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students receive a complete book proof by the end of the program
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• World Stage PresscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld Stage Press is CLI's affiliated publishing house that publishes alumni books. The press works with CLI to host the Author Draft event where students pitch manuscripts for potential publication. Many CLI alumni books are published through World Stage Press.
• Sims Library of PoetrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSims Library of Poetry is the first Black-owned poetry library in California, located in South LA. CLI runs its Library Pillars chapter at this location. The library provides space for classes, events, and community gatherings. CLI supports the library through the Give Words Campaign.
• PBS (Public Broadcasting Service)minorOthersCharisse Sims, CLI instructor, has been recognized and awarded as a PBS Early Learning Champion by PBS and PBS Kids.
• University of Southern California (USC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSC partners with CLI to offer the Poetry Publishing Class and Black Library Class at USC campus. Professor Hiram Sims serves as faculty at USC. CLI also holds the annual Author Draft at USC Doheny Memorial Library.
• Regional LibrariescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional libraries across Southern California host CLI chapter meetings, providing community spaces for poetry classes and events. Monthly in-person classes are held at local libraries.
• Beach City Writers ConferencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCLI provides access to the Beach City Writers Conference for its students as part of the Poetry Publishing Class program, bringing together poets from all chapters.
• L.A. Food BankminorOthersWhen customers purchase the Poets Feed the People Beanie, CLI donates to the L.A. Food Bank.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Cave Canem Foundation: A nonprofit literary organization dedicated to Black poetry, offering workshops, retreats, and prizes. Directly comparable to CLI as a poetry-focused nonprofit serving African American literary communities with structured programming.
• Kundiman: A nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing Asian American writers through workshops, retreats, and mentorship. Comparable to CLI as a literary arts nonprofit offering structured creative writing education for an underserved community.
• VONA/Voices: A nonprofit offering multi-genre writing workshops for writers of color. Directly comparable as a workshop-based literary arts organization providing structured, community-oriented writing education.
• Hurston/Wright Foundation: A literary arts nonprofit offering writing workshops, coaching, and awards focused on Black writers. Comparable to CLI's mission-driven, community-led approach to literary education for specific cultural communities.
• 826 National: A nonprofit writing, tutoring, and publishing network for students aged 6-18. Comparable to CLI as a nonprofit combining writing instruction with publishing outcomes for underserved communities.
• Urban Word NYC: A youth poetry and arts education nonprofit offering workshops and open mics. Comparable to CLI's chapter-based, community-led model for poetry education and publication.
• GrubStreet: A nonprofit creative writing center offering multi-genre classes, workshops, and writing events. Comparable as a structured creative writing education provider with community-focused programming.
• The Loft Literary Center: A nonprofit literary arts center offering classes, workshops, and readings. Comparable to CLI as a community-based literary education organization with a multi-class curriculum.

Broad incumbents

• Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP): The largest professional organization for writers and writing programs in the US, offering conferences, advocacy, and resources. Broader incumbent touching CLI's space as a literary arts ecosystem organization.
• Bread Loaf Writers' Conference: A long-running, prestigious writers' conference and educational program affiliated with Middlebury College. Comparable as an established literary arts education program, though more academic in structure than CLI.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/communitylitla

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Community Literature Initiative