Writers Ink Nonprofit

Mission

Writer's Ink is a non-profit organization dedicated to cultivating a lifelong love for creative writing in children and supporting aspiring young writers. Since our early beginnings in 2014, our goal has been to redefine creative writing education and English literature skills. It wasn't too long ago when we too were young kids struggling to write. We want to give back to the community by helping others develop a life-long passion for writing. Ordinary language classes teach concept, and of course, that's vitally important. However what sets us apart from others is that we encourage kids to use their inner creativity to make their own imaginative stories. We don't just teach them how to write—we teach them to love to write!

Ruling year info

2017

Chief Executive Officer

Mengshu Zhang

Main address

23 Castillo

Irvine, CA 92620 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

82-0773459

NTEE code info

Primary/Elementary Schools (B24)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990-N.

Communication

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Writer's Ink is a non-profit organization solely run by high school volunteers. Since our early beginnings in 2014, our goal has been to redefine creative writing and English literacy education. It wasn’t too long ago when we too were young kids struggling to write. We want to give back to the community by helping others develop a life-long passion for writing. Ordinary language classes teach concept, and of course, that’s vitally important. However what sets us apart from others is that we encourage kids to use their inner creativity to make their own imaginative stories. We don't just teach them how to write—we teach them to love to write!

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

Creative Writing Workshops

Writer's Ink hosts weekly workshops at 6 different OC Public Libraries, providing local elementary students an opportunity to explore creative writing with the help of passionate high school volunteers. With the COVID-19 pandemic, Writer's Ink has transitioned to a fully-functional virtual program via Zoom, serving students from across the state and nation.

Population(s) Served

Where we work

Our results

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.

Number of competition entrants

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

Creative Writing Workshops

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

Since 2017, Writer's Ink has hosted an annual creative writing competition for middle and elementary school students, and since 2019, wInk has maintained a high school scholarship program.

Number of free registrants to classes

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

Creative Writing Workshops

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

Writer's Ink has worked with over 3000 students in the Orange County area since our inception in 2014.

Number of clients reporting increased knowledge after educational programs

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

Creative Writing Workshops

Type of Metric

Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

At the end of each summer camp, Writer's Ink surveys participants and records their input. Some students have chosen not to respond, so therefore their input is not included.

Number of volunteers

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

Creative Writing Workshops

Type of Metric

Input - describing resources we use

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

As Writer's Ink expands, the number of volunteers across branches has continuously expanded across Southern California, and now across the United States.

Hours of volunteer service

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

Creative Writing Workshops

Type of Metric

Input - describing resources we use

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

Writer's Ink volunteers dedicate their weekends towards volunteering at workshops, creating new curriculum, and hosting special events.

Number of competition winners declared

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

Creative Writing Workshops

Type of Metric

Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

Since 2017, Writer's Ink has hosted an annual creative writing competition for middle and elementary school students, and since 2019, wInk has maintained a high school scholarship program.

Our Sustainable Development Goals

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

Writer’s Ink is a student-run nonprofit dedicated to cultivating a lifelong love for creative writing in children and supporting aspiring young writers.

Writer's Ink hosts weekly workshops at mulitiple locations in Orange County, coordinates an annual Summer Camp, and Creative Writing Contest (for elementary and middle school students) as well as a High School Scholarship program, and recently started an Equity Initiative to provide resources to underpriveleged youth in addition to those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Writer's Ink develops novel curriculum to better serve workshop participants, and partners with other community organizations to educate the community during this uncertain time.

Writer's Ink has a network of over 40 alumni, volunteers, and board members who coordinate weekly workshops and special events. Writer's Ink partners with local corporations to provide the best experience for our volunteers and participants, through fundraisers and in-kind donations.

wInk's online prescence is generously supported by the Google Nonprofit G-Suite and Ad Grant as well as benefits from NinjaNumber, Wix, and Microsoft.

Since 2014, Writer's Ink Nonprofit has guided over 3,000 students along their creative writing journeys. Through programs such as the Creative Writing Contest (for elementary and middle school students), High School Scholarship, and Equity Initiative, Writer's Ink has awarded over $5,000 in prizes and cash to support aspiring young writers. As we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, Writer's Ink is transitioning online, and expanding nationwide to reach even more students!

How we listen

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.

done We demonstrated a willingness to learn more by reviewing resources about feedback practice.
done We shared information about our current feedback practices.
  • How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?

    To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve

  • Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?

  • What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?

    We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback

Financials

Writers Ink Nonprofit
lock

Unlock financial insights by subscribing to our monthly plan.

Subscribe

Unlock nonprofit financial insights that will help you make more informed decisions. Try our monthly plan today.

  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights?
Learn more about GuideStar Pro.

Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

lock

Connect with nonprofit leaders

Subscribe

Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.

  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.

lock

Connect with nonprofit leaders

Subscribe

Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.

  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.

Writers Ink Nonprofit

Board of directors
as of 10/31/2020
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board chair

Mengshu Zhang

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • Board orientation and education
    Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes
  • CEO oversight
    Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes
  • Ethics and transparency
    Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes
  • Board composition
    Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes
  • Board performance
    Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 8/25/2020

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
Asian/Asian American
Gender identity
Male, Not transgender (cisgender)
Sexual orientation
Heterosexual or straight
Disability status
Person without a disability

Race & ethnicity

No data

Gender identity

No data

 

No data

Sexual orientation

No data

Disability

No data

Equity strategies

Last updated: 08/25/2020

GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more

Data
  • We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
  • We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
  • We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
Policies and processes
  • We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity.
  • We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
  • We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.