National Book Fund Grant

National Book Fund Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: ProLiteracy
Amount: US $500 - US $2,000 in in-kind support
Last Updated: January 22, 2026

Summary

The National Book Fund (NBF) offers grants to support adult education and literacy programs across the U.S. by providing New Readers Press materials. Grants typically range from $500 to $2,000, with applications considered for higher amounts if justified. Eligible applicants must have a defined project and use materials directly with learners. Priority is given to nonprofit organizations providing free literacy instruction. Note that individuals and lending libraries are not eligible for funding.

Overview

The National Book Fund (NBF) provides adult education and literacy programs throughout the United States with New Readers Press books and educational resources needed to support literacy initiatives. NBF grants are made in the form of New Readers Press materials requested in the grant proposal. The order form for New Readers Press materials available for download in the online application is the ONLY order form that will be accepted for this grant. Prices for materials are as indicated for both ProLiteracy members and nonmembers. Grants typically average from $500 to $2,000, although greater or lesser funding amounts are considered. Grant requests significantly over the $2,000 level are not typically funded but will be considered, as long as a clear programmatic and financial need is stated in your application.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. To be eligible for an NBF grant, the applicant must:Have a clearly defined, specific need or project for the materials being requestedIntend to use NBF materials directly with students receiving literacy instruction and/or with literacy staff, instructors, or volunteersNot have received an NBF grant during the last two program cyclesAnswer all questions on the application to the best of their ability, and upload all required forms as directed in the online application.The NBF awards organizations that provide services in the following areas: adult/teen basic literacy, adult/teen basic education, English for speakers of other languages (ESOL), high school equivalency preparation, math, and family literacy.Cash ContributionNonmember programs awarded a grant must provide a cash contribution to ProLiteracy equal to 20 percent of the award amount. ProLiteracy Organizational Members are not required to provide a cash contribution. Submission of purchase orders instead of the cash contribution will not fulfill this requirement. The cash contribution does not apply to any previous or future purchases from New Readers Press.

Ineligibility

The NBF does not award grants to individuals.The NBF does not fund requests to provide books for lending libraries or other resource centers where NBF materials are not directly linked to use with students receiving literacy instruction or the enhancement of an adult/teen literacy initiative. Please note that if a lending library or resource center is requesting materials for collection development to develop or enhance an adult/teen literacy collection your application will be considered. Your application must clearly state your library or resource center’s role in supporting adult/teen education.Programs that request NBF materials to use strictly as free distribution items are not funded.