Literacy Grants

Last updated October 11, 2026

Grantable tracks 435 active literacy grants in its free grants database, drawn from state and foundation sources and updated daily. 12 of them have a verified open deadline or accept applications on a rolling basis. 204 list an award amount, with a median of $13K.

Grants tracked: 435; from 315 funders
Median award: $13K; middle half $2,500–$63K
Total listed funding: $48.8M; across 204 grants that list an amount
Rolling deadlines: 8; 29 with a published date

On this page: State Foundation · Updated daily

Find the literacy grants matched to your org

Free, no account to start — Grantable's AI ranks all 433 on mission, geography, and award size in a few minutes.

Start finding grants

Sort

Type

State

Amount

Eligibility

Include closed grants

Grant	Deadline ▲	Amount
School Library Access (SLA) Mini-Grant Idaho Commission for Libraries · Foundation Not published · $1K – $5K The Idaho Commission for Libraries is offering mini-grants to enhance school library access for elementary and secondary students.	Not published	$1K – $5K
Research Foundation Teacher Grant Program National Council of Teachers of English · Foundation Not published · Varies The Trustees of the NCTE Research Foundation support projects related to the teaching and learning of language, literacy, and culture.	Not published	Varies
BCF Stronger Schools Grants: Kindergarten Readiness Proposals Baltimore Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $20K The BCF Stronger Schools Grants support initiatives aimed at improving kindergarten readiness, mental health, and school climate for students in Baltimore City and County.	Not published	Up to $20K
Justamere Foundation: Grants That Make a Real Impact Justamere Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Justamere Foundation focuses on removing barriers to self-sufficiency by supporting innovative community programs. They prioritize four key areas: trade education, veterans resources, childhood literacy, and arts education.	Not published	Varies
Pitney Bowes Foundation Grant The Pitney Bowes Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Pitney Bowes Foundation Grant, established in 2005, focuses on enhancing education within communities where Pitney Bowes operates.	Not published	Varies
Kiwanis Club of Lincoln Community Grants Lincoln Kiwanis Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies Award grants as part of the annual budget process to support projects and programs that align with Kiwanis objectives and improve the lives of youth in the community.	Not published	Varies
Estelle B. Williamson Braille Literacy Award Friends of the Maryland State Library for the Blind & Physically Handicappe · Foundation Not published · Up to $5K Established in 1996 in honor of Estelle B. Williamson, a charter member and vibrant leader who was a tireless and dedicated advocate of literacy. Estelle lost her battle with cancer on October 24, 2000.	Not published	Up to $5K
Arizona Humanities AZ Reads Grant Arizona Humanities Council Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $2K Arizona Humanities' AZ Reads provides up to $2,000 for K-12 literacy programs led by Arizona schools and community libraries (books, program supplies, author visits, and more) that provide humanities-based literacy programming for youth.	Not published	Up to $2K
New California Library Literacy Services Libraries Grant California State Library · Foundation Not published · $25K – $75K The California Library Literacy Services grant provides essential funding for public libraries in California to develop and implement adult literacy programs.	Not published	$25K – $75K
Early Literacy Grants Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies Grant program offering funding for early literacy initiatives, including free books and related resources.	Not published	Varies
Caritas Reads! Summer Program The Caritas Corporation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Caritas Reads! Summer Program encourages elementary to high school-aged residents to read during their summer break to prevent "summer slide" and foster a love of reading.	Not published	Varies
Math & Reading Intervention Programs Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation funds before and after-school math and reading intervention programs that provide extra support to elementary students struggling with these core subjects.	Not published	Varies
Nora Roberts Foundation Grant Nora Roberts Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $5K The Nora Roberts Foundation, established in 2001 by best-selling author Nora Roberts, prioritizes literacy as a fundamental human right.	Not published	Up to $5K
Cultivating Ongoing Achievement through Coaching in Literacy (COACH) Year 1 of 5 - Competitive Grant New Jersey Department of Education · Foundation Not published · Up to $150K The COACH grant program, initiated by the New Jersey Department of Education, aims to enhance literacy instruction for K-12 educators by supporting Local Education Agencies (LEAs) in hiring and training literacy coaches.	Not published	Up to $150K
Julia E. Berry Research Award to Study Careers of English Majors Grant National Council of Teachers of English · Foundation Not published · $2K The Julia E. Berry Research Award, provided by the National Council of Teachers of English, offers $1,500 to support research on the careers of English majors. Applicants must be NCTE members and present findings at NCTE conventions.	Not published	$2K
Madison Education Foundation Teacher Grants Madison Education Foundation · Foundation Not published · $416 – $12K The Madison Education Foundation (MEF) provides grants to support teacher-initiated projects and innovative classroom ideas across all five Madison Public Schools in Madison, NJ.	Not published	$416 – $12K
William S. Gray Citation of Merit International Literacy Association · Foundation Not published · Varies ILA recognizes and celebrates the outstanding contributions of individuals and chapters in our network who are committed to our shared mission of connecting research and practice to improve the quality of literacy learning across the globe.	Not published	Varies
FY26 Adult Education and Literacy- Federal Basic Grant Community College Board · State Not published · Varies This Notice of Funding Opportunity is offered to solicit Renewal Applications from currently ICCB Title ll funded programs that work to achieve the purpose of Title II of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014, which…	Not published	Varies
Dr. P. Phillips Legacy Microgrant Program Grant The Dr P Phillips Foundation · Foundation Not published · $5K The Dr. P. Phillips Legacy Microgrant Program, supported by Dr. Phillips Charities, offers annual grants of $5,000 to 15 nonprofit organizations in Central Florida.	Not published	$5K
FY26 Integrated English Language and Civics Education (IELCE) Illinois Community College Board · State Not published · Varies This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is intended to solicit a Renewal Proposal from eligible (returning) programs (CFR 463.23) that work to achieve the purpose of Section 243, Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education, of Title…	Not published	Varies
Bernard E. & Alba Witkin Charitable Foundation Grants Bernard E & Alba Witkin Charitable · Foundation Not published · Varies _NOTE: The Foundation’s procedures for handling grant requests generally are quite expeditious and informal.	Not published	Varies
Timothy & Cynthia Shanahan Outstanding Dissertation Award Grant International Literacy Association · Foundation Not published · Varies The Timothy & Cynthia Shanahan Outstanding Dissertation Award, presented by the International Literacy Association, recognizes exceptional doctoral research in the field of reading and literacy.	Not published	Varies
Nila Banton Smith Teacher as Researcher Grant International Literacy Association · Foundation Not published · $2K The Nila Banton Smith Teacher as Researcher Grant, offered by the International Literacy Association, provides $2,000 biennially to pre-K–12 teachers conducting research in literacy instruction.	Not published	$2K
Collaborative Grants Leander Educational Excellence Foundation · Foundation Not published · $300 – $5K LEEF's Collaborative Grants program supports teams of passionate educators from across Leander ISD who work together across campuses, grade levels, and departments to design innovative solutions that directly impact students.	Not published	$300 – $5K

Showing 217–240 of 433

About literacy grants

Literacy grants fund reading, writing, and language programs for learners of all ages, from early childhood and family literacy to adult basic education and English-language instruction. Federal support flows through U.S. Department of Education programs and grants administered via Grants.gov, while major private funders include the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and national nonprofits like ProLiteracy. Awards typically support schools, public libraries, and community-based organizations delivering direct literacy services.

A long list is the starting point, not the shortlist. Our grant prospecting guide shows how to narrow literacy grants down to the funders most likely to say yes, using their giving records.

Want new funders like these found for you every week?

This page is a snapshot. Funders change, and a list stops being true the day it's made. A grants department keeps looking for you, and tells you when it finds something that fits — with the grant history it reasoned from attached.

Create your grants department

Frequently Asked Questions

How much money do literacy grants award?

Of the 435 literacy grants Grantable lists as of October 11, 2026, 204 publish an award amount. The median listed award is $13K, and the middle half fall between $2,500 and $63K. The largest is $7M. Amounts are each grant's stated maximum, so a typical award can be smaller.

Which funders offer the most literacy grants?

By number of active listings, the leading funders are International Literacy Association (15), Dollar General Literacy Foundation (8), Illinois Community College Board (8), Texas Education Agency (6), and Angleton ISD Education Foundation (5). In all, 315 funders have at least one active grant in this category.

When are literacy grants due?

Of 435 grants listed, 8 accept applications on a rolling basis, 29 have a published upcoming deadline, 126 run on a stated cycle (such as annual or quarterly) without a published date, and 272 don't publish a deadline, so check the funder's site. Among dated deadlines, 52% fall in October–December.

What literacy grants are available?

Available literacy grants span youth, family, adult, and summer reading programs, as well as English-language and digital literacy initiatives. Federal funding is largely channeled through state education agencies under U.S. Department of Education programs, while private foundations and corporate funders offer competitive grants directly to schools, libraries, and nonprofits. Many programs target early reading proficiency, while others focus on adult basic education and workforce literacy.

Which organizations fund literacy programs?

Literacy programs are funded by a mix of federal agencies, private foundations, and corporate philanthropy. The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is one of the largest dedicated funders, supporting adult, family, summer, and youth literacy programs, and ProLiteracy administers grants for adult education providers. The U.S. Department of Education funds literacy through formula and competitive programs, and regional community foundations frequently support local reading initiatives.

Are there literacy grants for schools and libraries?

Yes. Many literacy funders specifically prioritize public schools, school districts, and public libraries delivering direct literacy services. The Dollar General Literacy Foundation, for example, accepts applications from nonprofits, public libraries, schools, and colleges, and federal Title programs can support school-based reading interventions. Libraries can also pursue funding tied to summer reading and family literacy.

Get a shortlist of literacy grants built for your organization

Tell Grantable's AI about your nonprofit and it ranks these grants on mission, geography, and award fit — then emails you a personalized shortlist with the reasoning for each. Free, no account to start.

Find my grants — emailed to me

Your AI grants department