The Poet's Gala
HOLDING DOORS OPEN FOR EVERY DREAMING WRITER
$21,500 Raised of $250,000 Goal
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​Community Literature Initiative (CLI) is building a future where every student, no matter their circumstances, can take our classes for free, hosted in public libraries nationwide.
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Your support keeps those doors open, transforms libraries into classrooms of possibility, and ensures that no dream is left behind.​ You can make this vision real at The Poets Gala, Thursday, November 13, 2025, at 5:00 PM in Mark Taper Auditorium, Los Angeles Central Library. This evening isn’t just a celebration—it’s a lifeline. Every ticket, every gift, every share fuels scholarships, resources, and programs that empower writers to finish their books, share their stories, and leave a mark on the world. By attending or supporting the gala, you’re giving future poets and authors the opportunities they deserve, and that is to dream, write, and be heard.
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Why It Matters​
Behind every published CLI author is a story of perseverance. Some students work two jobs, raise families, and still find the courage to write. Others face sudden setbacks—job loss, illness, or unexpected life changes—that put their dreams on hold.
Your support changes that story. The funds raised through The Poets Gala will directly sustain scholarships and resources for students who might otherwise have to walk away. Together, we can make sure that every writer who holds on to their dream gets the chance to see it through.
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Support the Mission: Give the Gift of Opportunity
The Sims Library of Poetry can also be supported through monthly giving.
Community Literature Initiative is a 501c3 organization.
Donations are tax-deductible. EIN: 47-3601335
HOLDING DOORS OPEN FOR EVERY DREAMING WRITER
Be Part of the Legacy
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This is your invitation to help shape the next generation of poets and authors.
Your presence at The Poets Gala isn’t just a ticket to an event—it’s a contribution to a movement that will impact CLI students for generations to come.
Attend the Gala – Experience an inspiring evening of art, food, and community.
Donate – Every dollar supports scholarships and the expansion of CLI programs.
Spread the Word – Share our mission and help us build a national network of literary access through public libraries.
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Donor Tiers
HOLDING DOORS OPEN FOR EVERY DREAMING WRITER
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$100 / Month – Join The Alumni Chapter
Every donation—big or small—directly nurtures creativity, amplifies underrepresented voices, and fuels the next generation of poets and authors. By giving, you aren’t just supporting a library—you’re investing in dreams, stories, and futures that might otherwise never be written.
This is your invitation to help shape the next generation of poets and authors.
Your presence at The Poets Gala is a contribution to a movement that will impact CLI students for generations to come.
​
Attend the Gala – Experience an inspiring evening of art, food, and community.
Donate – Every dollar supports scholarships and the expansion of CLI programs.
Spread the Word – Share our mission and help us build a national network of literary access through public libraries.
​
Event Details
Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025
Time: 5:00 PM
Location: Los Angeles Central Library – Mark Taper Auditorium
630 W 5th St Los Angeles, CA 90071
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Refreshments will be served
