The Mercantile Library Association Of The City Of New York

The Mercantile Library Association of the City of New York, operating as The Center For Fiction, is a tax-exempt nonprofit organization based in Brooklyn, New York, that has been registered with the federal government since 2007. The organization supports literary culture and emerging writers through programming, discussions, and educational initiatives centered on fiction and literary arts. As a recipient of federal grant support, The Center For Fiction provides services that advance public engagement with literature and professional development opportunities for writers.

The Center For Fiction has received three Project Grants from the National Endowment for the Arts since 2021, demonstrating consistent federal support for its literary mission. Most recently, in June 2025, the organization was awarded a grant to support a series of literary discussions led by authors and a mentorship program for emerging writers, with completion targeted for May 2026. Prior to this, the organization received a June 2022 Project Grant specifically designated to support staff salaries for literary programming at the center, which concluded in May 2023. The organization also received pandemic relief funding in July 2021 through a Project Grant to support general operating costs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which concluded in June 2022. All three grants have been funded through the National Endowment for the Arts, reflecting the federal government's recognition of the organization's role in supporting literary arts and cultural enrichment within the community.