Kindergarten Readiness Grant

Kindergarten Readiness Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Idaho Commission for Libraries
Amount: US $1,000 - US $10,000
Last Updated: July 28, 2025

Summary

The Kindergarten Readiness Grant by the Idaho Commission for Libraries aims to enhance the readiness of preschool children for school by partnering local libraries with school districts and communities. This grant provides funding to ensure that families have access to early literacy resources and activities. By increasing library card access and fostering partnerships, the program targets underserved children, promoting greater third-grade reading proficiency. Grants range from $1,000 to $10,000, supporting impactful literacy initiatives.

Overview

The Idaho Commission for Libraries offers a grant to build the capacity of Idaho public libraries to better prepare preschool children to be successful in school. The Kindergarten Readiness grant provides state funding to help public libraries partner with their local school districts and other community partners to reach children and their families before they enter school. Libraries play an important role in early childhood success through the expertise of trained librarians, early literacy programs, books, and digital tools that many families can’t afford on their own. Children who start school behind rarely catch up with their peers without costly direct reading intervention. Children who have been exposed to early literacy practices before they enter school are more likely to become successful readers throughout their years of schooling. Apply for grant funds to: Ensure that more Idaho families with pre-kindergarten children have public library cards to gain access to the tools and resources needed to help children succeed in school, especially for families with limited access to preschool programming or who are not regular library users;Increase the amount of early literacy activities done in the homes of pre-kindergarten children across the state; andIncrease the number of successful public library, school, and community partnerships that increase third-grade reading proficiency by focusing on pre-kindergarten experiences, especially for underserved children Two types of grants are awarded: Kindergarten Readiness Standard Grant: Awards of up to $10,000, in increments of $1,000K Ready-Set-Go Mini Grant: Awards from $1000 to $5,000, in increments of $500

Eligibility

We've imported the main document for this grant to give you an overview. You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Only Idaho public libraries may apply.Applications will be ranked by the applicants’ responses to the weighted grant application questions and include:the needs of the community; the strength of the partnerships and commitment to carry out the grant plan; the initial plan to reach pre-kindergarten children in the library’s service or impact area especially underserved children; ability to measure the project’s success/impact; and budget description.The ranking committee may also take into consideration the geographical distribution across the state.Who can apply to Kindergarten Readiness Standard Grants?Libraries applying for the first time, or that have never been awarded a K Ready Grant from ICfLLibraries that received a K Ready Grant in previous years, and are proposing a NEW project (can apply at least three years from original award)Who can apply to K Ready-Set-Go Mini Grants?Libraries that received a K Ready Grant in previous years can apply to fund the continuation of a current or past grant projectLibraries interested in funding a project identified as a “Best Practices Model”