Razom for Ukraine and the American Literary Translators Association
Razom for Ukraine and the American Literary Translators Association Announce Joint Venture
Activating readership of Ukrainian books in English translation across the United States
| GRANT SIZE | Up to $1,000 | CYCLE | Rolling |
Razom’s Ukrainian Literature Microgrant Program supports libraries, organizations, and individuals across the United States in building readership for Ukrainian books in English translation. You propose the activity, and Razom provides the resources to make it happen.
Three types of applicants are eligible:
• Public Libraries operating in the United States.
• Organizations: US-based nonprofits (cultural organizations, literary organizations, diaspora groups); bookstores with programming (excluding collection building); faith-based communities.
• Individuals: readers, educators, librarians, community advocates, and cultural organizers residing in the United States.
Informal groups – those without legal registration – must designate a named individual or a registered legal entity as the responsible party to the grant agreement. This person or entity assumes full accountability for the use of funds and the submission of reports.
This program is strictly non-commercial. All activities must be free and open to the public or to the library’s full patron community. Grant funds may not be used in any way that generates profit or benefits a for-profit entity. Book purchases must go to publicly accessible, non-commercial spaces only.
Applicants choose their activity type and propose how they will use the funds. Razom does not prescribe a single program format – you know your community best.
Combinations are welcome: for example, a collection placement paired with a one-time book talk, or a book club that concludes with a community event. Describe your full plan in the application.
| Activity type | What it looks like | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Collection building | Purchase of Ukrainian books in translation for a library or non-commercial community space, with display materials and a secured place on displays. Not available to bookstores. | $100 – $400 |
| Programming | Author visit, translator talk, panel discussion, or reading series hosted at a library, cultural organization, or bookstore. | $300 – $1,000 |
| Book club | Multi-session reading program (minimum 2 sessions) around a title from the Razom-curated list. | $200 – $1,000 |
| Community placement | Curated book display in a nontraditional space (church, cultural center, coffee shop) with a local library named as the resource hub. | $100 – $400 |
| Advocacy & display | Individual-led display, one-time program, reading guide, or professional presentation promoting Ukrainian books through a library. | $150 – $500 |
Combinations are welcome: for example, a collection placement paired with a one-time book talk, or a book club that concludes with a community event. Describe your full plan in the application.
All applicants must meet the following:
• Applicant is based in (resident) or operating in the United States (U.S. registered organisation)
• Proposed activity directly promotes Ukrainian books available in English translation
• Featured title(s) are drawn from or approved against the Razom-curated reading list
• Activity takes place within six months of the award date
• Applicant has not received a Razom microgrant for the same activity in the current cycle (previous grantees are eligible for new activities)
Additional criteria by applicant type:
• Libraries: Must commit to displaying or cataloging acquired titles for a minimum of six months.
• Organizations: Events must be free and open to the public. Informal groups must designate a named individual or registered legal entity as the responsible party to the agreement.
• Individuals: Must be registered as a presenter or volunteer through their partnering library’s official presenter portal or equivalent intake process (such as the library’s author and presenter form). The library must have acknowledged the proposed program through that process. Where a library does not operate a formal portal, a co-signature from a library staff member confirming the activity is accepted in lieu.
• Bookstores – only programming or book club.
• Book purchases from the Razom-curated list
• Author, translator, or moderator honoraria
• Author/translator travel and accommodation for in-person events
• Display materials: signage, bookmarks, shelf talkers, guides
• Facilitation materials: printed guides, discussion packets
• Promotion and marketing: print, digital, social media
• Event production: virtual platforms, audio/visual, recording, live streaming
• Accessibility costs: interpretation, captioning, ASL
• Light refreshments for in-person events
• Shipping and handling
Grant funds may not be used for: staff salaries beyond stipend amounts; capital expenses; alcohol; indirect or overhead costs; activities completed before the award date; book purchases for a for-profit entity. All purchases must be documented with receipts.
Applications are submitted via Razom’s online form. The form is short — designed to take no more than 15 min to complete. If you have more than one project idea, please submit a separate form for each one.
Required attachments:
• Letter of partnership or co-signature from your library or institutional partner (organizations and individuals only)
• For individuals: confirmation of registration as a presenter or volunteer through the library’s official presenter portal, or equivalent acknowledgment from library or other organisation staff
• For informal groups: name and contact information of the designated responsible individual or registered legal entity
Razom staff are available for pre-application consultations by appointment. Contact christina.fernandes@razomforukraine.org with questions about eligibility or the curated reading list.
Razom issues microgrants via ACH bank transfer. If your application is approved, you must be able to provide:
• Receipts for all incurred expenses
• Bank routing number and account number
• A completed IRS Form W-9
Applications are reviewed by Razom staff on a rolling basis, with two formal review cycles per year. The typical timeline from application to notification is four weeks.
Applications are assessed on:
• Clarity and feasibility of the proposed activity
• Potential reach — how many readers will encounter Ukrainian literature as a result
• Quality of the library or institutional partnership
• Relevance to communities underserved by Ukrainian cultural programming
• Budget realism
Priority is given to first-time applicants, libraries and organizations that have not previously held Ukrainian titles in their collections, and activities reaching communities with limited prior exposure to Ukrainian literature.
All grantees submit one final report within 14 days of completing their activity, using Razom’s standard report form.
The form asks:
• What did you do, and did it go as planned?
• How many people were reached?
• What is one thing that surprised you or that you would do differently?
• Photos or documentation of the activity
• Receipts for all purchases
Grantees running multi-session programs (book clubs, series) submit a brief mid-point check-in after the second session.
Failure to submit a final report disqualifies the applicant from future Razom grants.
By submitting the final report, grantees certify that all funds were used for approved expenses as outlined in the grant agreement. Razom reserves the right to request additional documentation or a follow-up conversation with any grantee.
By accepting a grant, grantees consent to Razom using photos, quotes, and project details for reporting, communications, and fundraising purposes, with prior review by the grantee.
The Razom-curated reading list of Ukrainian books in English translation is available at [link]
Razom for Ukraine and the American Literary Translators Association Announce Joint Venture
Dear friends of Razom, This is Kateryna Kazimirova, Razom Literature Program Lead,
Every year on May 18, Ukraine commemorates the Day of Remembrance of
Today marks the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster, a milestone recognized
Culture is the mirror of a nation’s soul, and throughout history, Ukrainian
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