MISSION STATEMENTEstablished in 2013, The Foundation serves to fulfill Ruth Stone's wish that her physical and literary estate would be used for the furthering of poetry and the creative arts. It was created not only to nurture contemporary poetry and art in its many forms, but also to cultivate and celebrate the works and legacy of the poet herself.The Foundation seeks to provide poets and artists time, space, and opportunities to create new work and share it with a wider audience. This is accomplished through The Foundation's small-press publishing house, the Next Galaxy Poetry Initiative (a writers' retreat and haven, located in Ruth Stone's house in Goshen, Vermont) and other programming in New York City. Compelled by Ruth Stone's life and work, The Foundation seeks to support under-represented artists and stand for a literary community outside the usual institutions.The Ruth Stone Foundation connects the writers and artists it supports with the community at large, especially to empower women and foster leadership through creativity, writing, and publishing.