Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries' Grant

Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries' Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: The George W Bush Foundation
Last Updated: January 08, 2026

Summary

The Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries offers financial support to underfunded schools to enhance their library collections, promoting literacy and a passion for reading. Eligible applicants include Title 1 public schools and private institutions with at least 50% of students qualifying for financial aid. The grant funds can be utilized exclusively for books, periodicals, and subscriptions, ensuring that all students have access to diverse reading materials. Applications require a designated librarian and completion of necessary documentation.

Overview

The Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries provides funds to our Nation’s neediest schools so that they can extend, update, and diversify the book and print collections in their libraries with the goal of encouraging students to develop a love of reading and learning. In order to be eligible, a paid professional must be designated by the school administration as responsible for the collection, care, and use of the materials housed in the school library. The grant award may be used only for books, periodicals, eBooks, reference materials, and magazine/newspaper subscriptions. More than one school in a district/diocese/CMO may apply for the grant, however, each school must submit their own application. Public school applicants must be Title 1 eligible. Neighborhood schools, charter schools, magnet schools, etc. are all welcome to apply, if Title 1 eligible. Private and parochial schools are also welcome to apply if at least 50% of their student population qualify for financial aid.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. A certified librarian or other paid professional must be assigned as responsible for the collection, care, and use of the materials housed in the school library. Public school applicants must be Title 1 eligible. Neighborhood schools, charter schools, magnet schools, etc. are all welcome to apply if Title 1 eligible. Private and parochial schools are also welcome to apply if at least 50% of their student population qualify for financial aid. Your school must have a library or designated space on campus where books are accessible to all students to check out. Principal must digitally sign principal agreement in the application. All documentation must be completed for your application to be complete – this includes the school/district W-9 and a voided blank check. If your school library is awarded a grant, your school will have 30 days (upon notification) to complete the Grant Agreement. If it is not completed in the 30 day time frame, your school will be considered disqualified. This 30 day timeframe helps ensure that your grant funds can be spent in the grant period.

Ineligibility

Not eligible to be purchased with library grant funds: videos or DVDs, any student/teacher guide to the book (in print or other media), a test/quiz/workbook, any software related to the book, or electronic book readers.