Shout Mouse provides writing, book publishing, and public speaking opportunities for local young people (ages 12+) of marginalized identities. Story coaches lead writing workshops that engage youth from partner nonprofits in producing original children’s books, comics, novels, memoirs, and poetry collections inspired by their own lived experiences. Books are professionally edited, designed, published, and distributed in homes and classrooms across the country to engage readers of all backgrounds and foster a more just and inclusive next generation. Authors are trained in public speaking and give media interviews and author talks in schools, universities, and other community spaces, reaching over 30,000 audience members. With 50+ titles, nine national awards, and over 100,000 books in circulation, young authors are proving that peer voices are powerful voices, that representation matters. By supporting them to write and publish their own books, Shout Mouse passes the pen — and the power.

Headquarters: DC-Ward 2

Where They Operate: DC-Ward 1; DC-Ward 4; DC-Ward 5; DC-Ward 6; DC-Ward 7; DC-Ward 8; MD-Montgomery County; VA-Arlington County; Our work spans Greater Washington, with primary project sites located in:; Edgewood, NE DC; Congress Heights, SE DC; Columbia Heights, NW DC; Our teen-authored books have been sold and distributed in 27+ countries around the world.

Age Groups Served: Youth (5-11); Pre-teen/teen (12-17); Young adult (18-24)

Population(s) Served: Individuals who identify as LGBTQ; Low- to Moderate-Income Community Members; Men/Boys; Women/Girls; Students; Immigrants/Refugees

Schools They Work In: Our primary partners in this work are fellow nonprofits serving communities whose voices need to be amplified. That current local partner list includes Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshop, Latin American Youth Center, Beacon House, Reach Incorporated, Next Wave Muslim Initiative, and Generation Hope. We also had a school-based partnership at Ballou Senior High School in Southeast DC.


  • Number of Shout Mouse Press Books in circulation:  
    110,000, including in every public school in DC, in 30+ local nonprofits and charter schools, as well as in libraries, bookstores, and homes across the country, and in 27+ countries around the world.
  • Number of "unexpected" authors published:  
    More than 500, including incarcerated youth, immigrants, teen parents, and other marginalized youth.
  • Individuals impacted by our work annually:  
    10,000 authors, readers, and audience members
  • Speaking opportunities for authors to date:  
    Youth authors have reached 31,000 people through 193 public speaking engagements at universities, schools, festivals, and conferences.
  • Amount of money distributed to our youth authors:  
    $264,881 in scholarships, speaker honoraria, stipends, and direct aid.

Awards & Recognition

2022 In the Margins Book Awards, Top 10 Title of Year: "And Justice For Who?"

2022 Junior Library Guild, Gold Standard Selection: "Joy-Grace and the Dress Dilemma"

2022 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Best Anthology Winner: "When You Hear Me (You Hear Us)"

2022 Foreword INDIES, Best Anthology Bronze Winner: "When You Hear Me (You Hear Us)"

2022 Independent Press Award, Winner Poetry-Social/Political: "When You Hear Me (You Hear Us)"

Press

Budget (FY2023)

  • $3 million or higher
  • $1 million to $3 million
  • The current budget for Shout Mouse Press is: $500k to $1 million
  • Less than $500k

Catalogue charities range in size from $100,000 to $3 million. This graphic indicates the budget range of the organization featured here. If you see an organizational budget above the $3 million mark, that is because the featured charity has grown in size since it first appeared in the Catalogue. We proudly present on our website the work of these "growth" charities.

About Spur Local

Every year, 190+ local nonprofits (with budgets under $4M) apply to join the Spur Local network. 170+ community volunteers assess these applications for impact. 100% of organizations are site visited and financially reviewed. Finally, 76+ critical, local nonprofits are selected for inclusion in Spur Local's annual print and digital catalog, and enter a four-year partnership with us. Since 2003, we have raised over $65 million for nonprofits across the Greater Washington region. We charge no fees and raise funds separately to support our work.

Spur Local looks to friends like you to keep our services independent and entirely free of charge. Consider a small contribution to Spur Local to cap off your gift and help the causes you care about get the full support they deserve!

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