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
John Edward Fowler Memorial Foundation Grants John Edward Fowler Memorial Foundation · Foundation Not published · Typically under $10,000 for first-time grants The John Edward Fowler Memorial Foundation provides grants to organizations in the Washington DC area, focusing on underserved and at-risk populations.	Not published	Typically under $10,000 for first-time grants
Arsht-Cannon Fund Delaware Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · $5K – $40K The Arsht-Cannon Fund (ACF) has been supporting opportunities for Hispanic communities in Delaware for 20 years (since 2004). It has awarded over $12 million to 150 organizations.	Not published	$5K – $40K
Classroom & School Grants Program The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc · Foundation Not published · $62K – $80K Supports teachers and students by funding tools and resources that are normally not included in their budget but are necessary for creating unique learning experiences.	Not published	$62K – $80K
Appalachian Kentucky Grant Program The Steele-Reese Foundation · Foundation Not published · $5K – $50K The Steele-Reese Foundation's Kentucky Grant Program prioritizes enhancing educational outcomes for children in Appalachian Kentucky.	Not published	$5K – $50K
Hamilton Family Charitable Trust Grant - Palm Beach County, FL Hamilton Family Charitable Trust · Foundation Not published · Up to $25K The Hamilton Family Charitable Trust Grant focuses on enhancing educational opportunities for children and youth in Palm Beach County, FL.	Not published	Up to $25K
Idaho Commission for Libraries: Bucks for Books Grant Idaho Commission for Libraries · Foundation Not published · $1K – $3K The Idaho Commission for Libraries, in partnership with the Idaho Lottery Commission, offers the Bucks for Books Grant to support elementary school libraries in Idaho.	Not published	$1K – $3K
Classroom Impact Grants Ashland Schools Foundation · Foundation Not published · $94 – $3K ASF awards grants to support creative, hands-on classroom projects and materials that directly benefit students in Ashland Schools. The Foundation awards grants in multiple cycles throughout the year.	Not published	$94 – $3K
Mini Grants Maine Humanities Council · Foundation Not published · Up to $2K The Mini Grants program supports smaller humanities projects across Maine. Based on award history from 2022-2024, grants typically range from $225 to $2,000, with multiple funding cycles per year.	Not published	Up to $2K
Indianapolis Foundation Library Fund - Media Center Enhancement Grants The Indianapolis Foundation (a CICF affiliate) · Foundation Not published · $5K – $15K The Indianapolis Foundation Library Fund provides enhancement grants for high school media centers in Marion County, aiming to improve literacy and access to resources.	Not published	$5K – $15K
Teen Trendsetters Program Grants The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Teen Trendsetters pairs high school volunteers with struggling readers in early elementary grades (1st, 2nd, 3rd) who are reading approximately six months or more behind grade level.	Not published	Varies
NEA Big Read Grant Arts Midwest Incorporated · Foundation Not published · $5K – $20K The NEA Big Read Grant, managed by Arts Midwest, aims to foster community engagement through shared reading experiences.	Not published	$5K – $20K
Gorham/McGee Early Learning Fund Grant The Denver Foundation · Foundation Not published · $5K The Gorham/McGee Early Learning Fund Grant, managed by The Denver Foundation, aims to support nonprofits focused on enhancing education for children aged 0-12 in areas like literacy, nature, and the arts.	Not published	$5K
Early Care Spaces program Kenneth Rainin Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies Kenneth Rainin Foundation is a family foundation that collaborates with creative thinkers in the Arts, Education, and Health. We believe in taking smart risks to achieve breakthroughs.	Not published	Varies
Read to Achieve Awards Dept of Education · State Not published · Varies Funding for reading and literacy achievement programs. Includes mini grant opportunities (RDIF Mini Grant).	Not published	Varies
Oregon Battle of the Books McMinnville School District 40 Education Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies A reading and literacy program for K-5 grade students in McMinnville School District. This program originated as a teacher mini-grant pilot project and has become an established educational program within the district.	Not published	Varies
Youth Service Grant (YSG) Alpha Phi Omega Endowment Inc · Foundation Not published · $200 – $500 To provide funding for Alpha Phi Omega chapters to encourage and inspire children and young people in a socially positive manner.	Not published	$200 – $500
Adult Education State Grants Connecticut State Department of Education · Foundation Not published · Varies The Connecticut State Department of Education offers Adult Education State Grants to support programs for adult learners in Connecticut.	Not published	Varies
Smart Start Requests for Proposals Guilford County Partnership for Children Inc · Foundation Not published · $5M Guilford County Partnership for Children (GCPC) allocates over $5 million annually in Smart Start funding to support young children, families, and early childhood educators in Guilford County.	Not published	$5M
Richard Donchian Foundation Grants Richard D Donchian Charitable Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $25K The Richard Davoud Donchian Foundation supports nonprofit organizations that empower individuals and communities through character development, literacy, and ethical practices.	Not published	Up to $25K
2026 Community Investment Grants United Way of Grant County Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Programs in health, education, and financial stability that support: United Way of Grant County has been a cornerstone of community support since 1956.	Not published	Varies
Siemer Family Foundation Grant Program Siemer Family Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $30K The Siemer Family Foundation Grant Program focuses on enhancing educational opportunities and literacy for children in central Ohio.	Not published	Up to $30K
Pathways Out of Poverty Grant The Herb Block Foundation · Foundation Not published · $5K – $25K The Pathways Out of Poverty Grant, established by the Herb Block Foundation, aims to empower disadvantaged youth and adults in the greater Washington, DC area through education and vocational training.	Not published	$5K – $25K
Hot Springs Area Community Foundation: Early Literacy Grants Arkansas Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · $3K – $10K The Hot Springs Area Community Foundation offers Early Literacy Grants to enhance early childhood language and literacy skills.	Not published	$3K – $10K
Cedarburg Education Foundation Grant Program Cedarburg Education Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Consideration will be given to projects meeting the following criteria: Based on awarded grants, funding supports: Cedarburg School District teachers and staff The Cedarburg Education Foundation funds innovative educational projects that…	Not published	Varies

Showing 241–264 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