2025 SAN FRANCISCO FOUNDATION/ NOMADIC LITERARY AWARDS
The San Francisco Foundation/Nomadic Literary Awards celebrate bold, original voices across the genres of poetry, fiction, and non-fiction, honoring writers whose work pushes boundaries, deepens empathy, and expands our understanding of the world. Every two years, we recognize outstanding literary achievement with monetary awards—amounts subject to change as funding allows. While the awards are currently on pause, we anticipate reopening submissions in 2027, continuing our commitment to championing visionary writers and transformative storytelling. To be considered for an award, applicants must currently live in either Contra Costa, San Francisco, or Alameda counties. The Nomadic administers these awards with San Francisco Foundation
2025 Award Winners
Poetry Winners
Fiction Winners
Non-Fiction Winners
2023 Award Winners
Poetry
Fiction
Non-Fiction
2022 Award Winners
Poetry
Fiction
Non-Fiction
2022 Award Winners
Poetry
Fiction
Non-Fiction
Judges
About San Francisco Foundation’s Donor:
Joseph Henry Jackson
Joseph Henry Jackson (1894–1955) moved to California after World War I and was editor of Sunset Magazine from 1926-28. From 1924–1943 he hosted the radio program “Bookman’s Guide,” and from 1930 through the remainder of his career, he served as the literary editor of the San Francisco Chronicle, where he gained national prominence. Jackson also wrote and edited over a dozen books, many concerning California history. He served on several literary boards, including the O. Henry Memorial Award, the Harper Prize Novel, and the Pulitzer Prize. Jackson was always interested in discovering and encouraging new writers. In his honor, his friends established the Joseph Henry Jackson Literary Award for emerging writers in the Bay Area.