826 National

Founded in 2002 by award-winning author Dave Eggers and award-winning education Ninive Calegari, 826 Valencia has since inspired a network of creative writing and tutoring centers now seven cities strong: San Francisco, Ann Arbor/Detriot, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington, DC. The 826 National office was established in 2008 to serve the growing educational network by providing strategic leadership, administration, and other resources to ensure the success of the 826 network. Our mission is based on the understanding that great leaps in learning can happen with one-on-one attention, and that strong writing skills are fundamental to future success.

Last year, our seven 826 chapters served more than 32,000 students. Each 826 chapter offers five core programs: after-school tutoring, field trips, workshops, Young Authors’ Book Project, and in-school programs—all free of charge—for students, classes, and schools. Each program offers innovative and dynamic project-based learning opportunities, building on students’ classroom experience and strengthening their ability to express ideas effectively, creatively, confidently, and in their own voice.