Meet Maleek Rae - Our 2025 Founders’ Award Recipient! The Founders’ Award was created on the occasion of the company’s 25th anniversary, in honor of the founders Mark Linn-Baker, Max Mayer, and Leslie Urdang’s enduring commitment to nurturing writers at the earliest stages of their careers. Selected by a panel of former recipients, The Founders’ Award winner receives a monetary award, an extended residency during the SAF Summer Season, and financial and administrative support for a project for which they are the sole curatorial voice. #nysafsummerseason #poughkeepsie @marist @artsmidhudson @maleekrae