Support Us
Become a Donor
Thank you to all our donors for supporting us with your financial gift. Your support allows us to cement our organisational foundation, and then grow the Festival’s scope and program.
Your generosity also underpins our long-term commitment to encourage literacy and learning in our community. You may wish to remain anonymous, or we would be delighted to highlight your names/your family or trust name on our dedicated donor page.
Donate to Our General Fund
Your donation will help cover key Festival costs, this keeps the Festival running and accessible for all, including:
- Travel and fees for writers and speakers
- Venue hire across 10+ Sorrento locations
- Core operational expenses
Or Support a Specific Programming Stream
You can direct your donation to a Festival stream that aligns with your values:
- Primary Schools Program
12+ sessions over two days for students at Sorrento and St Joseph’s Primary Schools, featuring guest writers, illustrators and creatives inspiring a love of reading.
- Secondary Schools Program
Two free Shakespeare performances and workshops for Rosebud and Dromana Secondary Colleges, led by professional actors and directors.
- Free Access for Young People
50 subsidised ticket passes (10 sessions each) for full-time students under 25, helping young readers attend for free.
- Free Community Sessions
Open sessions for all, including:
- Writers on Writing: for aspiring authors and book lovers
- The Morning Feed: daily news wrap with top journalists and commentators
- Environment & Climate Programming
Sessions focused on nature, climate change, and environmental storytelling.
- First Nations Programming
Showcasing some of Australia’s finest Indigenous writers, thinkers, and leaders.
- Public Journalism & Democracy Programming
Exploring the role of journalism in holding power to account and strengthening democracy.
- Leadership, Governance & Equality Programming
Conversations on leadership, workplace accountability, and inclusive governance.
How You Will Be Acknowledged
Donors will be acknowledged across our marketing platforms including our website, in our printed and online programs, and on our donor boards to be displayed at the Festival.
Our Donor Categories are:
- Principal: A one-off donation of $25,000+
- Cornerstone: Multi year pledge of $5,000 +pa for 3 years or $15,000 + one off
- Champion: $5,000 – $14,999
- Supporter: $1,000 – $4,999
- Friend: $100 – $999