Insights on Literacy Grant Funding

Through my literacy consulting work, I frequently get asked by educators around the country for insights on how they can receive funding to implement a literacy initiative or project. While I will continue to respond individually to educators who reach out via email or this website's contact form, I wanted to share some highlights here. 

Having worked in rural, Title I, and suburban districts, I understand the need for literacy funding and have written and received several grants allowing me to impact literacy development. My hope is the information below helps educators begin their grant writing journey. Be sure to check with your school district and administrator before applying for grant funding as some districts may have an internal process and checkpoints you must follow. 

Funding Sources (not an exhaustive list): 

• Dollar General Literacy Foundation
• Walmart Community Grants
• Mary Pope Osborne's Gift of Books
• AFA Educators Grant
• Wish You Well Foundation
• Starbucks Foundation Grants
• Believe in Reading
• Sidgmore Foundation
• TJC Companies Foundation
• Costco Charitable Giving
• International Paper Company
• Donors Choose

Award/Recognition Options: 

• International Literacy Association

Tips: 

• Have a catchy title - this may seem corny, but when Boards or committees are reading through hundreds of grant applications, catchy titles can grab their attention
• Have a well thought out project, scope, timeline including reporting out/update measures, budget, and impact statement
• Include an explanation for future funding. Organizations want to know you have a plan for sustaining the project once the grant funding is spent. 
• Include an explanation of how you will share/advertise you've received the grant. Organizations want to increase their visibility, so tout your connections in the community and/or on social media.
• If possible, include quotes from an administrator, colleagues, students, and/or families regarding the need and impact the project will have
• Do your research - make sure the grant funds match your project, have research and citations to demonstrate the need for your project
• Be persistent - don't give up if you don't receive funding on your first, second, or third try. Your project may not have been a perfect match for that organization or perhaps there are tweaks you can make to your application. If you don't receive funding, consider contacting those who did receive funding, find out about their projects, and if they're willing to share, look at their proposals. 

If you have additional questions or need for consulting services, feel free to reach out using the contact form. 
                                                                               Best of luck!

Are there grant programs you would like to see added to this list? If so, add a comment and/or complete the contact form and I will add them.