Grant opportunities
Do you want to do more with your early literacy programming and outreach than your local resources allow?
These grant opportunities may offer the capacity to accomplish what you otherwise couldn't!
Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Grants
The State Library administers the LSTA program, funded through the independent federal agency IMLS
(Institute of Museum and Library Services). LSTA funds are used to further the goals of the LSTA Five-Year Plan
and to support statewide initiatives. LSTA funds are also distributed to libraries through competitive grant programs.
The LSTA goals include Services to Youth, and libraries developing early literacy projects are encouraged to apply.
Target Early Childhood Reading Grants
"Reading is essential to a child's learning process. That's why Target awards grants to schools,
libraries and nonprofit organizations to support programs such as after-school reading events and weekend book clubs.
Together, we're fostering a love of reading and encouraging children to read with their families. Early Childhood
Reading Grants are $2,000. Grant applications are typically accepted between March 1 and April 30 each year, with grant
notifications delivered in September."
Dollar General Youth Literacy Grant
"Dollar General Literacy Foundation Youth Literacy Grants provide funding to schools, public libraries,
and nonprofit organizations to help students who are below grade level or experiencing difficulty reading." Dollar
General also has a Family Literacy Grant
program.
The Libri Foundation Books for Children Program
"The Libri Foundation is a nationwide non-profit organization which
donates new, quality, hardcover children's books
to small, rural public libraries in the United States through its
Books for Children program."
Ohio Children's Foundation
"The mission of the Ohio Children's Foundation is to enhance the lives of children by providing grants to support
services for at-rick children and families, by helping prepare children for kindergarten, and by advocating for public
policy that will positively affect children's lives." Grant requests are accepted on a rolling basis year-round.
Half Pint Library from Half Price Books
"The Half Pint Library program is a book drive hosted each year by Half Price Books to collect and distribute
children's books to those in need. Books donated through the Half Pint Library program provide an escape from
the challenges faced by children, while helping to boost literacy skills outside of school."
First Book
First Book is an organization that strives to promote literacy in low-income areas. They provide high-quality children's books and
educational materials at deeply discounted prices to registered organizations serving children from low-income families.
The Lois Lenski Covey Foundation, Inc. Grant Awards
"The Lois Lenski Covey Foundation, Inc. annually awards grants for purchasing books published for young
people, preschool through grade 8. Grants for 2011 will range from $500 to $3000 and are specifically for children's
book purchases rather than administrative or operational uses. The LLCF library grant program provides
grants for public libraries, school libraries, and charitable organizations [501(c)(3)] that have lending
libraries where children up to age 18 may check out books to read or to use for gathering information."
Ezra Jack Keats Minigrant Program
The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation awards $500 grants to public and school libraries to fund creative programs.
W.K. Kellogg Foundation
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation offers grants in the categories of Health, Food Systems and Rural Development, Youth and Education, and Philanthropy and Volunteerism.
Details and the application can be found on their website. Kellogg also funds the SPARK project, which is currently active in the Canton
area and several other Ohio communities.
Wish You Well Foundation
The Wish You Well Foundation supports family literacy in the United States by fostering and promoting the
development and expansion of new and existing literacy and educational programs.
Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy
To date, the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy has awarded over $40 million to support the
development and expansion of 885 family literacy programs in all 50 states including the District of Columbia.
The Collaboration Prize
The Collaboration Prize will give $250,000 to non-profit groups that provide similar services but that have collaborated to enhance service and performance. Working
with other libraries and institutions on Early Literacy Initiatives may qualify for this award. Check out their website for details.
The Foundation Center
"The Foundation Directory, compiled by The Foundation Center, has a national focus. A typical foundation entry
includes the name of the foundation, the mailing address, contact name, telephone number and, where available,
an email address and web address. To provide you with a sense of a foundation's grantmaking priorities, records
also include such crucial data as the establishment date; names of donors; purpose and activities statements;
fields of interest; limitations statements; types of support; application information; trustees, officers, and
donors names and titles; publications; a link to the foundation's 990-PF (IRS return); and, where available, a
selected grants list."
Library Grants Blog
Keep up with additional grant opportunities by following this blog, which makes timely announcements about many different kinds of grant opportunities for libraries and librarians.