The New Press: A not-for-profit in American publishing

In 1992, AndrC Schiffrin founded The New Press as a mid-size not-for-profit publisher in hopes that it would provide a viable alternative to mainstream publishing by bringing books into the market which were not normally published by more commercial houses. The press recently celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2002, and though there are many small not-for-profit houses in the United States today, The New Press stands as one of the few mid-size not-for-profits that competes directly with mainstream houses by using similar distribution methods and seeking similar audiences. This project examines The New Press as a not-for-profit in American publishing, beginning with a short history of Schiffrin's experiences leading up to the founding of The New Press. Through the history of the press, its mission, operations, funding structure, and a case study of operations and funding as they apply to one "foundation" title, the strengths and weaknesses of the press are examined, concluding with an examination of the viability of the press's mission of independence through its interaction with donors and foundations.