Pearl S. Buck International Receives Rain Poetry Grant from PA Humanities 

Pearl S. Buck International has been selected by PA Humanities as a recipient of the first-ever Rain Poetry Grants, one of only 10 youth-serving organizations from across Pennsylvania awarded funding to develop public humanities projects that center young voices, encourage community connection, and bring poetry to public spaces.  

The 2026 Rain Poetry Grants mark an expansion of the popular statewide program that encourages and mentors young people to write haiku poetry and then brings their words to life through water-activated installations in their communities. Grantees were selected through a competitive review process and will each receive $4,000 plus individualized coaching from PA Humanities staff, in addition to the public Rain Poetry Toolkit launched last fall. Pearl S. Buck International, the only recipient organization from Bucks County, will be partnering with the Bucks County Free Library system on a project for young people in the community that will be launched in Fall 2026. 

Rain Poetry blends educational opportunity, creativity, and community, and has steadily drawn support from legislators who appreciate the value the project brings to their districts. “Supporting programs like Rain Poetry is an investment in young people, community life, and the shared civic spaces that bring us together,” Representative Shelby Labs (PA-143) said. “I’m excited to see this work reaching communities across the Commonwealth and in my district at Pearl S. Buck International.” 

Since its debut in 2023 as part of PA Humanities’ 50th anniversary, Rain Poetry has engaged hundreds of young people, supported dozens of workshops led by poets and teaching artists, and produced hundreds of original poems. 

“Rain Poetry is an opportunity for young people to take the lead as celebrated creators and thinkers in their own communities,” PA Humanities executive director Laurie Zierer said. “When youth voices are visible and valued, communities across Pennsylvania are stronger.” 

“We are truly thrilled and deeply honored to be a Rain Poetry grant recipient,” said Cheryl A. Castro, President and CEO of Pearl S. Buck International. “It feels especially meaningful knowing that Pearl Buck herself would have delighted in seeing children gather on her property to create art, give voice to their imaginations, and share their words.” 

Rain Poetry is part of PA Humanities’ ongoing work to spark creativity, strengthen communities, and connect people through the power of the humanities. Its expansion has been made possible with the support of Pennsylvania’s state legislators. Funding has been provided by William Penn Foundation, The Heinz Endowments, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, Pennsylvania Rural Arts Alliance, Richard King Mellon Foundation, The Grable Foundation, The Wyomissing Foundation, with support from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, administered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Commonwealth Financing Authority, and the Department of Community and Economic Development Community and Economic Assistance Program. 

For more information about Rain Poetry, visit pahumanities.org/rainpoetry. 

 ~ 

Pearl S. Buck International^® provides opportunities to explore and appreciate other cultures, builds better lives for children around the globe and promotes the legacy of our founder by preserving and interpreting her National Historic Landmark Home. 

– END –