What does Royal Literary Fund do?

The Royal Literary Fund (RLF) is the world's oldest literary charity, established in 1790 to support professional writers facing financial difficulties. With a mission to ensure that writers can sustain themselves, the RLF provides a range of financial grants, including short-term and long-term support, assistance for those in debt, and emergency aid for unexpected expenses. Each year, the organization distributes over £5 million in grants and educational programs. In addition to financial support, the RLF runs the Fellowship Scheme, placing established writers in universities to offer one-on-one writing consultations and help students enhance their academic and creative writing skills. The RLF also engages with schools through initiatives like RLF Bridge, which provides writing workshops for A-level students, and offers community-based literary discussion groups and workplace writing development programs. With a commitment to literary excellence, the RLF has positively impacted over 750 writers and numerous educational institutions across the UK.