Believe in Reading Grant Program

Believe in Reading awards grants to existing and provably successful literacy programs in the United States. The funder supports programs that advance reading and literacy for any age group and for multiple literacy needs, including adult literacy, English as a second language projects, and Braille-related projects for people who are blind or visually impaired. Programs should generally have been established for at least two years, although public and school libraries may be considered for newer programs. The grant is intended for successful literacy programs serving populations with out-of-the-ordinary needs, such as communities in geographic areas with low reading scores and high poverty levels. Reading must be the prime activity of the proposed project, and requested funds must be earmarked specifically for literacy rather than a general organizational campaign. Believe in Reading prefers direct funding to local community projects through libraries, schools, or nonprofit organizations. Eligible applicants must have tax-exempt status under IRS Code Section 501(c)(3), or an equivalent status for educational institutions, including public libraries. Pending tax-exempt status does not meet the eligibility requirement. Organizations and programs outside the United States are not eligible, and organizations that discriminate on protected bases are not eligible. Grant funds may not be used for expenses unrelated to the funded literacy project, operating or administrative expenses, staff salaries, building or construction costs, basic infrastructure costs such as electricity, rent, telephone, or transportation, core curriculum texts, textbooks, book vending machines, pass-through funding, scholarships, consultant pass-through payments, large-scale nationally recognized programs, budget deficits, political activity, direct or matching payments to members of the public, projects with conflicts of interest, or projects with commercial or for-profit elements. Needed equipment such as computers may be considered. The maximum grant amount is $10,000, but most grants are $3,000 or less. First-time applicants will not be funded for more than $3,000. Grants may be renewable for up to three years, but a first-year award does not guarantee future funding, and there is no implied or explicit representation that subsequent funding will be awarded. Applications are considered as they are received, and there are no specific deadlines. Applicants are advised to apply well in advance of when they need funds, because Believe in Reading commonly has more than 100 applications pending and is staffed only part-time. It may take 90 to 120 days to receive a response. Questions may be directed to admin@believeinreading.org. Outcome-based reports are required at the end of the project, and interim reports are welcomed. Reports are intended to be simple and include the amount of grant funding spent, how funds were spent, the number of readers served, staff hours, and other basic figures showing program progress. Photos are appreciated. Completed report forms should be sent as attachments to admin@believeinreading.org.

Apply well in advance because review may take 90-120 days; show that the program is established and successful; clearly earmark funds for literacy; emphasize service to populations with out-of-the-ordinary needs; avoid prohibited costs such as salaries, operating expenses, textbooks, construction, pass-through funding, and political activity.