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

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Grant	Deadline ▲	Amount
Teacher Mini-Grants Program Rhode Island Education Collective · Foundation Not published · Up to $1K Awards mini-grants to K–12 public school teachers across Rhode Island, supporting impactful classroom projects ranging from specialized literacy training to hands-on science equipment and enrichment experiences beyond the classroom.	Not published	Up to $1K
R. Harold Burton Foundation Grants Robert Harold Burton Private Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The R. Harold Burton Foundation offers grants to tax-exempt organizations in the greater Salt Lake area, focusing on education, science, literacy, and health services.	Not published	Varies
GF West Michigan Youth Programs Grant The Gerber Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $10K The Gerber Foundation supports youth programs in West Michigan, focusing on projects benefiting children from birth to 18 years.	Not published	Up to $10K
Dr. Seuss Foundation Grants Dr Seuss Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $60K The Dr. Seuss Foundation aims to enhance literacy through strategic partnerships and funding. While there will be no public granting cycle for 2025, the Foundation is planning for 2026.	Not published	Up to $60K
Service Objectives Grants Soroptimist Kansas City Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies Annual grants program supporting 501(c)(3) agencies and community organizations serving women and girls in the Kansas City area. Eligible Recipient Types (Historical Recipients Include):	Not published	Varies
FY26 Adult Education and Literacy Professional Development Network- Federal Illinois Community College Board · State Not published · Varies The purpose is to develop and maintain a high-quality professional development program that develops career pathways, improves adult education instruction, disseminates information about models and promising practices, provides technology…	Not published	Varies
ENF Spotlight Grant Connecticut Elks Association Charities Inc · Foundation Not published · $2K Grant from the Elks National Foundation Community Investments Program to shine a light on pressing issues facing American communities.	Not published	$2K
Buckeye Book Fair Literacy Awards Grant Buckeye Authors Book Fair Committee · Foundation Not published · Up to $500 The Buckeye Book Fair Literacy Awards support Ohio's reading initiatives by providing funding to nonprofit organizations, public libraries, and schools.	Not published	Up to $500
Mavs Foundation Grants Dallas Mavericks Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $50K The Mavs Foundation, affiliated with the Dallas Mavericks, provides grants to empower youth, women, and families in North Texas. Since 1996, it has awarded over $11 million to nonprofits, focusing on safe spaces for play and learning.	Not published	Up to $50K
Phil Hardin Foundation Grant Phil Hardin Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Phil Hardin Foundation Grant aims to enhance educational and life outcomes for children and youth in Mississippi, particularly in Meridian and Lauderdale County.	Not published	Varies
New Richmond Area Community Foundation Competitive Grant New Richmond Area Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $3K The New Richmond Area Community Foundation Competitive Grant supports nonprofits and programs that enhance the quality of life in the New Richmond area.	Not published	Up to $3K
Reading and Discussion Grants New York Council for the Humanities · Foundation Not published · Varies A grant program supporting humanities-based reading and discussion initiatives.	Not published	Varies
Women United Little Kids, Big Futures Philanthropy Fund United Way of Lake County Inc · Foundation Not published · $181K – $188K Women United of Lake County distributes annual grants through its Little Kids, Big Futures philanthropy fund to support early childhood education and kindergarten readiness programs serving Lake County children.	Not published	$181K – $188K
Cressey Family Charitable Trust Grant Cressey - FMLY Charitable Tr · Foundation Not published · Varies The Cressey Family Charitable Trust was established in 2006 by John P. Cressey. Mr. Cressey was a resident of Eugene, Oregon until his death in 2006.	Not published	Varies
Family Literacy Fund Grant NWT Literacy Council · Foundation Not published · Up to $5K The Family Literacy Fund, managed by the NWT Literacy Council, aims to enhance literacy for children aged 0-6 and their caregivers.	Not published	Up to $5K
Ciresi Walburn Foundation Annual Grants Ciresi Walburn Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Ciresi Walburn Foundation supports innovative educational initiatives in Minnesota, focusing on eliminating inequities for children and youth.	Not published	Varies
Adult Education Scholarship Grant John Wood Community College Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies Awarded to a GED graduate who has completed his/her GED requirements over the previous 12 months through the John Wood Community College Adult Education Program. The course taken must be a college credit course.	Not published	Varies
BCF Competitive Grants ( Annual Grants) Branford Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Branford Community Foundation (BCF) is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Branford, Connecticut, by funding organizations and projects in key focus areas such as basic needs, health, education, arts, environment, and youth…	Not published	Varies
CFSC: Grade Level Reading and Family Success Grants The Community Foundation of Sarasota CO Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies _NOTE: Grant proposals are accepted on an invitation only, rolling basis from organizations that focus their efforts on closing the achievement gap, helping students achieve reading proficiency by 3rd grade and/or implementing programs…	Not published	Varies
Community Library Adult Literacy & Career Pathway Grant Program New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development · Foundation Not published · Up to $400K The Community Library Adult Literacy & Career Pathway Grant Program aims to enhance Adult Literacy Services in New Jersey by providing additional resources for adult literacy, including digital literacy and career pathway training.	Not published	Up to $400K
Early Literacy Alignment (ELA) Mini-Grants The Foundation for Public Education in Georgia Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $5K	Not published	Up to $5K
UNESCO International Literacy Prizes - The UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy Grant United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization · Foundation Not published · $30K The UNESCO International Literacy Prizes, established in 1967, recognize outstanding innovations in literacy worldwide.	Not published	$30K
Faith Partner Literacy Grants Community Foundation for Muskegon County · Foundation Not published · Up to $3K The Faith Partner Literacy Grants support collaborations between churches and nonprofit organizations to enhance literacy and educational equity. Eligible churches can receive up to $3,000 for programs aimed at lifelong literacy.	Not published	Up to $3K
Bigger Smiles Grants Smile 180 Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies

Showing 73–96 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.

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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.

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