Book Festival Grants

The Book Festival Grants, offered by Florida Humanities, support public humanities programs at various book festivals across Florida. Since 2022, these grants have facilitated literary events that promote reading and engage communities through author talks, workshops, and family activities. Eligible Florida-based nonprofits and governments can apply for funding up to $10,000 to enhance audience reach and accessibility via diverse programming. This initiative celebrates Florida's literary heritage while fostering connections between authors and readers.

Note: This application requires the submission of an initial Letter of Interest (LOI) submitted in Florida Humanities’ online grants system by no later than six months prior to the proposed program start date.
As part of Florida Humanities’ affiliation with the Library of Congress Center for the Book, this funding opportunity is designed to support engaging public humanities programs at book festivals that celebrate the joy of reading, foster meaningful conversations between authors and readers, and encourage an appreciation of Florida’s diverse literary landscape.
Hosted in communities both large and small statewide, Florida Humanities-funded book festivals have featured engaging author and illustrator talks and book signings, writing workshops for aspiring authors, panel discussions with authors from diverse genres, reading activities for families and children, and many other literary-inspired events.
Types of Programs We Support
Applicants may request up to $10,000 to support the design and implementation of public humanities programming presented through a variety of formats.
Funding has also been provided to support complementary activities designed to increase audience reach and accessibility. These activities may occur before, during and immediately after a book festival and have included:
Book clubs, reading and discussion groups, and book displays hosted by public librariesOn-demand, pre-recorded author readings featured on a festival websitePublic programs associated with “One Book, One Read”, NEA Big Read, and National Poetry Month initiativesDesign and printing of brochures that highlight local authors and literary heritage sitesSchool-based programming such as author visits and student writing workshops
Florida Humanities-funded Book Festivals and complementary public programming are typically free to attend and may occur over a single day, multiple days, or longer. Events may occur in-person, virtually, or in a hybrid format.

Eligibility

Applications will be accepted from Florida-based nonprofit organizations, state or local governments or one of their agencies, and federally recognized Native American tribal governments. Eligible applicants must have both a verifiable Unique Entity ID (available through SAM.gov) and Federal ID number (FEIN available from the IRS).Organizations that have previously received two or more Book Festival Grants from Florida Humanities must demonstrate how their proposed programming is reaching new or expanded audiences.Organizations seeking support for an inaugural Book Festival or with no prior experience hosting a literary event must demonstrate a working partnership with an organization that has an established history of presenting literary-focused programming.

Ineligibility

Individuals, for-profit organizations, foreign governments/organizations.Organizations applying through a fiscal sponsor.Organizations with a currently open Florida Humanities Book Festival Grant.Colleges and Universities. Due to current funding limitations, we are not able to accept direct applications from colleges and universities or their various departments for Book Festival Grants. However, we strongly encourage academic institutions interested in conducting public programming as part of a book festival to partner with an eligible non-profit organization to submit an application for support. The nonprofit organization must be the applicant organization, be integrally involved in the development and implementation of the proposed programming, and be responsible for all grant management and reporting including the expenditure of all awarded funds.