This post is dedicated to nonprofits seeking for LITERACY GRANTS.
Can a grant really help change a life?
When it comes to literacy, the answer is a resounding yes.
Whether you’re running a reading program for children, tutoring adults who struggle with basic literacy, supporting ESL learners, or developing digital literacy for seniors, one thing remains true: Literacy is a gateway to opportunity.
But your passion alone won’t fund books, hire tutors, equip classrooms, or sustain outreach. That’s where literacy grants for nonprofit organizations come in.
In this in-depth guide, you’ll discover:
- Top literacy grants in the U.S.
- Who qualifies and how to apply
- Common words and themes found in winning proposals
- Real examples from funded programs
- Tips to stand out in a competitive funding world
Let’s break down the process and get your organization on the path to funded literacy impact.
Why Literacy Grants Matter More Than Ever
Literacy is the foundation of all learning. Yet millions of people—adults and children alike—struggle to read, comprehend, or engage in the digital world due to literacy gaps.
With the rise of remote learning, the digital divide, and language barriers, the need for community-based literacy programs has never been greater.
That’s why funders—private foundations, government agencies, and corporate giving programs—are investing in nonprofits that are making a measurable impact through literacy intervention.
Top Literacy Grants for Nonprofit Organizations
Here are some of the most recognized and accessible literacy grants available in the U.S. for nonprofit organizations:
1. Dollar General Literacy Foundation
This is one of the largest and most consistent funders of literacy initiatives in the U.S.
They offer grants in four key categories:
- Adult Literacy Grants
- Family Literacy Grants
- Summer Reading Grants
- Youth Literacy Grants
Typical award range: $3,000 – $10,000
Who can apply: 501(c)(3) organizations, schools, and libraries
2. The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy
This foundation supports programs that strengthen adult literacy, intergenerational reading, and family-based learning.
Focus: Programs that serve low-income families with multigenerational learning
Award size: Varies; often $50,000+
Eligible applicants: Nonprofits, educational institutions, and community partnerships
3. National Book Foundation – Innovations in Reading Prize
This annual prize awards organizations that have developed innovative solutions to encourage reading in their communities.
Award: $10,000
Eligibility: U.S.-based nonprofits, libraries, or reading-focused programs
Great for creative reading interventions (e.g., reading apps, prison book clubs, mobile literacy vans)
4. Library of Congress – Literacy Awards Program
This prestigious program recognizes and funds exceptional efforts in literacy advancement.
Awards include:
- David M. Rubenstein Prize: $150,000
- American Prize: $50,000
- International Prize: $50,000
Highly competitive but excellent visibility for your program.
5. Local Community Foundations and State Education Agencies
Hundreds of state education departments, community foundations, and corporate funders (like Target, Verizon, or Scholastic) offer small-to-midsize grants for literacy each year.
Check:
- Your local United Way
- State Department of Education
- County literacy councils
- Local business giving programs
What Literacy Grants Typically Fund
Most literacy-focused funders support:
- Books and reading materials
- Technology for literacy programs (tablets, apps, e-readers)
- Tutor or teacher stipends
- Curriculum development
- Training for volunteers
- Program evaluation and data tracking
- Bilingual/ESL materials and resources
- Transportation for participants
How to Write a Winning Literacy Grant Proposal
1. Start with the Story
Every compelling proposal starts with a real problem. Describe the literacy gap in your community with emotion and urgency.
Example:
“In our city, over 45% of adults read below a 5th-grade level, limiting their job opportunities and ability to support their children’s education.”
2. Add Data + Impact
Use stats to back up your narrative:
- Local literacy rates
- Graduation rates
- Digital divide metrics
- Past success (e.g., “90% of our students improved a full grade level in just 6 months”)
3. Define Clear Outcomes
Funders want measurable results. Describe:
- How many people will be served
- What changes you expect (e.g., test scores, reading fluency)
- How you’ll track success
4. Create a Smart Budget
Break down the budget:
- Books: $2,500
- Literacy software licenses: $1,200
- Staff: $4,000
- Evaluation and admin: $800
5. Align With the Funder’s Mission
Study the funder’s website. Mirror their language. Show how your mission overlaps with theirs.
“Like the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, we believe in opening doors through literacy.”
Real Example: How One Nonprofit Scored a $50K Grant
Bright Futures Learning Center, a small nonprofit in Ohio, wanted to expand its ESL and adult literacy programs to serve refugee families.
They:
- Highlighted how literacy affects health care navigation and job readiness
- Partnered with local employers to create job-linked ESL classes
- Won a $50,000 grant from the Barbara Bush Foundation and $8,000 from their local United Way
Now, over 200 adults per year are learning English and gaining confidence in everyday life.
Tools to Help You Secure More Literacy Grants
Inside the Grant Writing Academy, you’ll find resources created just for nonprofits like yours:
Editable Literacy Grant Proposal Templates
LOI Templates (Letter of Interest)
Grant Calendar Templates
Budget Spreadsheets
Funder Research Tools
Feedback on Your Proposal Drafts
Monthly Live Coaching Calls
Become a Founding Member of the Grant Writing Academy
If you’re serious about scaling your literacy program and want to consistently win funding, the Founding Membership is for you.
You’ll get:
- Immediate access to templates, checklists, and examples
- A growing vault of faith-based and secular funder lists
- Step-by-step training for both beginners and pros
- Personalized support and expert reviews
Founding Members also receive our exclusive Literacy Grant Writing Toolkit—a plug-and-play bundle that includes proposals that have already won!
Click here to become a Founding Member today
Don’t Miss Your Next Literacy Grant—Subscribe to the Newsletter
The Grant Writing Academy Newsletter brings you:
- Weekly literacy and education grant alerts
- Quick grant-writing tips
- Templates and success stories
- First access to new training and courses
Click here to subscribe now and never miss another opportunity to fund your reading program.
Literacy is more than decoding words—it’s about unlocking futures, lifting families out of poverty, and helping people thrive in school, work, and life.
You already have the heart, the vision, and the team.
Now it’s time to add the funding.
With the right grants, a compelling proposal, and a little expert guidance, your nonprofit can grow a thriving literacy program that transforms lives—one book, one student, one story at a time.
Become a Founding Member to gain full access to templates and trainings.
Subscribe to the Grant Writing Academy Newsletter for your monthly dose of funding opportunities
Let’s build a more literate, empowered world—together.
