Paddlestar Galactica

DC's only philanthropic ping-pong tournament is back for year SEVEN! Flex your table tennis skills and support free, award-winning literacy and literary programs for DC students.

Our Programs

help students of all ages write their own paths forward—and have fun doing it. At risk for a zombie apocalypse? We've got a writing workshop lesson plan for that. Running for Kid President? We can help a student craft her winning platform. From the serious to the silly, we're ready to create with you.

We Believe

that great leaps in learning can come from one-on-one attention and that building writing skills leads to future success. For our city's youth, 826DC offers these opportunities - right in the heart of the District of Columbia. Make magic happen with us today.

My White Lie

Kayla Edwards

Grade 4

My white lie got bigger and bigger. My white lie was that I ate the last cookie and said that somebody ate it.

Shawnti Wade

Grade 4

My Brown mansion is Brown as it can be

Make a Donation Today

A gift of any amount helps make our creative writing programs free for district students.

Support 826DC

Student Publishing

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Publishing young authors is kind of our thing.

After-School Writing Lab

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We want your homework. Seriously.

Field Trips

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Creative and project-based fun.

Writing Workshops

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Free workshops that foster creativity.

Reading All-stars

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Saturday morning reading program.

In-Schools

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Flexible and Teacher-Driven In-School Residencies.

What's New

Featured News, Press and stories from 826DC

Exploring Editorial Writing at 826DC

Earlier this school year, 826DC After-School Writing Lab students worked alongside retired National Geographic Magazine Production Specialist Greg Luce on a five-week editorial writing project, inspired by the iconic magazine!

We’re Hiring: Special Projects Associate

Join our growing team! 826DC seeks a thoughtful, visionary youth development professional to serve as our Special Projects Associate (SPA) to help support our grant-funded programming initiatives in 2019.

826DC’s Executive Director on The Kojo Nnamdi Show

On January 3rd, 2019, 826DC Executive Director Zachary Clark was a guest on The Kojo Nnamdi Show!

Once Upon a Time

…in a land called Columbia Heights, 826DC supported local students with their writing skills and helped teachers inspire their students to write.

Anne’s 826DC Volunteering Experience

Volunteers like Anne help 826DC make magic happen every day! Anne’s longtime commitment to our After-School Writing Lab students, her writing talents as a journalist, and the enduring kindness that she brings to the writing center are all part of what makes this a truly special place.

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