Authors Judy Blume and Jane Yolen sat on the original board and continue to be involved today.
[citation needed] In March 1978, SCBWI announced it would offer work-in-progress grants in memory of illustrator and board member Don Freeman.
[citation needed] In 2010, SCBWI established the Crystal Kite Member's Choice Awards to recognize great children's literature in 15 regional divisions around the world.
Publications include specific information on publishers, agents, markets, educational programs, contracts, critique groups, and editorial services.
The chosen school also receives a $250 stipend to assist in creating the event and $250 worth of books by the visiting author.
Each member of SCBWI is allowed to vote for their favorite book from a nominated author in their region that was published in the previous calendar year.
The works chosen are those that exhibit excellence in writing and illustration, and genuinely appeal to the interests and concerns of young people.
The winner of the Portfolio Award receives an expenses-paid trip to New York to meet with interested art directors.
The award consists of a $1,000 gift certificate for art supplies, plus full tuition, transportation and accommodations to the New York Winter Conference.
On June 3, 2020, SCBWI Executive Director, Lin Oliver, announced that April Powers has joined the organization as its inaugural Chief Equity & Inclusion Officer.
[8] On June 10, 2021, SCBWI released a statement against anti-semintism as a response to the growing violence against Jews worldwide and the tension between Palestine and Israel.
In July, 2021 an open letter to the organizations leadership came out released by people in the children's book community that put focus on SCBWI's organizational structure, finances, and diversity efforts.
Many prominent authors associated with SCBWI including Laurie Halse Anderson, Meg Medina, and Linda Sue Park stepped down from their advisory board and the entire Rocky Mountain Chapter regional team resigned.