Believe in Reading Grant

Believe in Reading Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: The Steve and Loree Potash Family Foundation
Amount: Up to US $10,000
Last Updated: April 02, 2026

Summary

The Believe in Reading Grant, offered by The Steve and Loree Potash Family Foundation, targets established literacy programs with a proven track record. The foundation aims to support initiatives that address literacy across various age groups, particularly in areas of high need. Grants can be up to $10,000, with a focus on projects that earmark funds specifically for literacy. Applications are reviewed bi-monthly, and first-time applicants are limited to $3,000.

Overview

NOTE: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed twice a month. Believe in Reading Grant Believe in Reading awards grants to existing and provably successful literacy programs. Believe in Reading will consider funding programs that serve any age or aspect of supporting reading and literacy, including adult literacy or English as a second language projects. Believe in Reading Funding Priorities: Believe in Reading considers projects that support its mission and philanthropic objectives and considers only projects that specifically and substantially address its funding priorities.Believe in Reading targets successful literacy programs which serve populations that show out of the ordinary needs, such as geographic areas with low reading scores and high poverty levels.Believe in Reading will supply funds only if they are earmarked for literacy, not just a general campaign. Reading must be the prime activity. Because addressing literacy is not a short-term process, Believe in Reading’s grants are renewable for up to a maximum of three years, but a first year award does not guarantee any subsequent awards. At this time, the maximum grant amount is $10,000, however the vast majority of our grants are for $3,000 or less. First time applicants will not be funded for more than $3,000.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Believe in Reading awards grants to existing and provably successful literacy programs. Programs should have been established for a minimum of 2 years. Believe in Reading awards grants only to organizations that have been designated as having tax-exempt status according to the IRS Code Section 501(c)(3), or its equivalent for educational institutions, including public libraries.A pending status does not fulfill this requirement.Believe in Reading will consider funding programs that serve any age or aspect of supporting reading and literacy, including adult literacy, English as second language projects, or Braille-related projects for the blind or visually impaired.

Ineligibility

Believe in Reading will not award grants for:Individuals Organizations without tax-exempt status. Organizations that discriminate on the basis of age, national origin, race or color, marital status, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. Organizations or programs outside of the United States. Expenses that are not directly related to the project for which funding is sought. An organization’s operating and administrative expenses. Salaries of staff. Capital costs for building and construction, or basic infrastructure costs, such as electricity, rent, telephone, transportation, etc. Funding for needed equipment such as computers will be considered. Core curriculum-based texts, lesson plan assigned reading, or textbooks. Programs involving book vending machines. Pass-through funding, such as using the funding to award scholarships, or to pass on to a consultant. Funding to support large-scale or nationally recognized programs such as The Imagination Library or One School, One Book. Even though these are wonderful programs, we prefer to make direct funding to community projects through local libraries, schools, or non-profit organizations. Budget deficits. Projects which have a potential conflict of interest; for example, when a board member or employee might serve as a vendor for the project. Projects containing commercial or for-profit elements. Start-up funding for new programs that were established less than 2 years ago unless the applicant is a public or school library. Political contributions, or any other activity designed to influence legislation or affect political campaigns. Direct or matching payments to members of the public.