Web Sites
100 Free Money Sources for Libraries
Courtesy of Matthew Lesko and Mary Ann Martello.
(Last checked 06/12/08)
2008 National Library Week grant
Libraries across the United States are invited to apply for the $5,000 Scholastic Library Publishing National Library Week Grant, which will be awarded to a single library for the best public-awareness campaign incorporating the 2008 National Library Week theme, “Join the circle of knowledge @ your library.” This year’s deadline is October 1.... Source: ALA Press Release, May 2007
(Last checked 06/12/08)
Alibris Collection Award
Deadline : December 1
An annual grant of up to $3000 worth of books to an academic, public, special, or K-12 library supporting specific collection development projects that advance the mission, priority areas, and goals of the selected library. The purpose of the Award is to help provide materials for libraries with replacement projects, retrospective collection development projects, or routine collection building needs.
(Last checked 06/12/08)
American Association of School Librarians
Funding Opportunities
(Last checked 06/12/08)
American Library Association
'Adopt a Library' Program
The American Library Association (ALA) has established an "Adopt a Library" program to provide assistance to libraries damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. The program will provide an opportunity for U.S. libraries of all types to adopt a library in the GulfCoast. The ALA will collect information from libraries that need assistance, and will connect those libraries with others that can provide relief. Contributing libraries are asked to lend support in the way of books, computers, fundraising and volunteers. Libraries interested in adopting a library may visit the website listed above and complete a participation form.
(Last checked 06/12/08)
American Library Association (ALA)
Diversity Research Grants
Deadline: April 15
For more information, contact:
(Last checked 06/12/08)
American Library Association (ALA)
Grants Available
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Current programs include:
Carnegie-Whitney Grant
SIRSI Grant
Wilson Grant
WNBA-Ann Heidbreder Eastman Grant
World Book Award
AASL/Highsmith Research Grant
ABC-CLIO Leadership Grant
Baker & Taylor/YALSA Conference Grants
Baker and Taylor Audio Music/Video Product Award
Bechtel Fellowship
Book Wholesalers Inc./YALSA Collection Development Grant
Book Wholesalers Reading Program Grant
Demco Creative Merchandising Grant
Doctoral Disertation Fellowship
Econo-Clad Literature Award
Frances Henne/YALSA/VOYA Research Grant
Nijhoff Study Grant
Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers Award
PLA New Leaders Travel Grant
Sagebrush/YALSA Award
Samuel Lazerow Fellowship
YALSA's Great Book Giveaway Competition
(Last checked 06/12/08)
American Library Association (ALA)
Great Stories CLUB grants
Deadline: Nov. 14, 2008
The ALA Public Programs Office and the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) are now accepting applications for the latest round of Great Stories CLUB grants. Electronic applications will be accepted at Funding was provided for this program by Oprah's Angel Network. Launched in 2005, the Great Stories CLUB (Connecting Libraries, Underserved teens and Books) is a reading and discussion program designed to reach underserved, troubled teen populations through books that are relevant to their lives. All types of libraries (public, school, academic and special) located within or working in partnership with facilities serving troubled teens in the United States and its territories are eligible to apply for a Great Stories Club grant. Following the application process, 230 libraries will be selected to develop a book discussion program for teens based on the three theme-related titles and will be given copies of the books to share with each participant. Participating libraries will also receive access to an online toolkit to support the program, including sample discussion questions, recommended titles for further reading, downloadable bookmark art and other resources. Small cash grants ($100-$200) will be awarded to up to 25 sites for the support of program-related expenses. For more information on the Great Stories CLUB, including guidelines, book descriptions, application instructions and a link to the online application, visit the web site.
(Last checked 06/12/08)
American Library Association (ALA)
Information Today Inc.
Library of the Future Award
The Information Today Library of the Future Award honors a library, library consortium, group of librarians, or support organization for innovative planning, applications, or development of patron training programs about information technology in a library setting. Criteria should include the benefit to clients served; benefit to the technology information community; impact on library operations; public relations value; and the impact on the perception of the library or librarian in the work setting and to the specialized or general public.
(Last checked 06/12/08)
American Library Association (ALA)
We The People Bookshelf Grants
The We the People Bookshelf, a collection of classic books for young readers, is a project of the National Endowment for the Humanities’ (NEH) We the People program, conducted in cooperation with the American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office. Each year, NEH identifies a theme important to the nation's heritage and selects books that embody that theme to build the We the People Bookshelf. The theme for the 2008-2009 Bookshelf is “Picturing America.” Online applications will be accepted September 2, 2008 – January 30, 2009. A total of 4,000 public and school (K-12) libraries will be selected to receive the “Picturing America” Bookshelf. Awards will be announced in April 2009.
(Last checked 06/12/08)
American Library Association (ALA)
World Book Award for Info Literacy
Deadline: Dec. 1, 2008
World Book and ALA announce the creation of the new World Book/ALA Information Literacy Goal Award, a grant of $5,000 to a public and school library literacy program. The award is designed to encourage and support innovative and effective information literacy programs in today's school and public libraries. Information literacy is the set of skills needed to find, retrieve, analyze, and use information, not only for school-age children but now can be considered a lifelong venture as formats of information and methods of access to information rapidly evolve. An eligible literacy program should focus on school library users or public library users who are likely to need the most help to obtain access to information, in print or digital form, and to evaluate the quality of the information available to them, especially information they may find outside the school library, school classroom, or public library. The ultimate goal should be to help people of all ages become effective users of information by fostering a better understanding of the research process. The two page application can be accessed online through the ALA website.
(Last checked 06/12/08)
American Library Association (ALA)
Young Adult Library Services Association
Great Books Giveaway
Deadline: Dec. 1
The Great Books Giveaway is being sponsored by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association. YALSA will award the winner 1200 newly published books, videos, CDs and audio cassettes targeted toward young adults. Single public or private schools, public school districts, single public libraries, institutional libraries, and public library systems are eligible to apply.
(Last checked 06/12/08)
Beyond Words: The Dollar General School Library Relief Program
Dollar General, in collaboration with the American Library Association (ALA), the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and the National Education Association (NEA), is sponsoring a school library disaster relief fund for public school libraries in the states served by Dollar General. The fund will provide grants to public schools whose school library program has been affected by a disaster. Grants are to replace or supplement books, media and/or library equipment in the school library setting.
(Last checked 06/12/08)
Big Read Initiative
Guidelines for the 2009-2010 Big Read will be available here in October 2008. More information will be forthcoming in October 2008.
Deadline: Proposals are due February 2009 with project activities taking place September 2009 and June 2010.
Sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Designed to revitalize the role of literature in American popular culture and bring the transformative power of literature into the lives of its citizens. Created by the National Endowment for the Arts in cooperation with Arts Midwest, this program will engage libraries and other community and school partners across the country to encourage citizens to read for pleasure and enlightenment. Approximately 50 organizations will be selected for programming. To apply for The Big Read, you must submit an application online through The Big Read electronic eGRANT system, as well as submit a hard copy package of proposal materials. For more information, contact Arts Midwest at .
(Last checked 06/12/08)
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, see Gates
Bush Foundation for America's Libraries (Laura)
School Library Grants
Deadline: Dec. 17
As school budgets have become stretched, school districts have had to apply their resources to programs and services other than libraries. It is not uncommon for libraries to receive funds for computers and related technology instead of books. As a result, some libraries lack up-to-date books and reference materials. One of the purposes of the Laura Bush Foundation is to help libraries find a balance between technology and contemporary print materials by providing needed funding for book purchases. Average grant $5000.
(Last checked 06/12/08)
Comcast Foundation
The Comcast Foundation was established by Comcast Corporation in June 1999 and is the company’s chief source of charitable support to qualified non-profit organizations. Since its inception, the Foundation has distributed more than $12 million in grants to non-profit organizations in Comcast communities nationwide. The Foundation primarily funds programs in the areas of literacy and reading, volunteerism, and youth leadership that create significant and measurable results.
(Last checked 06/12/08)
Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts (CCAHA)
CCAHA can provide key support to your grant application, through project planning, a letter of commitment, and resumes of CCAHA personnel. For questions regarding your application, contact CCAHA's Director of Development, Lee Price at .
(Last checked 06/12/08)
Council on Library and Information Resources
The International Program of the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) focuses its efforts on raising preservation awareness abroad and helping to identify methods and strategies for dealing with problems of access to library and archival holdings.
(Last checked 06/12/08)
Dollar General
Grant Programs
Current initiatives include:
(1) Adult Literacy Grants;
(2) Back-to-School Grants;
(3) Beyond Words: The Dollar General School Library Relief Program;
(4) Family Literacy Grants; and
(5) Youth Literacy Initiatives.
(Last checked 06/12/08)
Dollar General
Adult Literacy Grants
The Dollar General Adult Literacy Grants award funding to non-profit organizations that provide direct service to adults in need of literacy assistance. Organizations must provide assistance in one of the following instructional areas: (1) Adult basic education;
(2) General education diploma preparation; or
(3) English for speakers of other languages.
(Last checked 06/12/08)
Dollar General
Back-To-School Grants
The Dollar General Back-to-School Grants provide funding to assist schools in meeting some of the financial challenges they face in implementing new programs or purchasing new equipment, materials or software for their school library or literacy program.
(Last checked 06/12/08)
Dollar General
Family Literacy Grants
The Dollar General Family Literacy Grants will award grants to family literacy service providers. Please note that the Dollar General Literacy Foundation uses the federal government’s definition of family literacy when reviewing grant applications. Family literacy programs applying for funding must have the following four components: (1) Adult education instruction; including Adult basic education; GED preparation; and English for speakers of other languages;
(2) Children’s education;
(3) Parent and child together time (PACT); and,
(4) Parenting classes that teach parents to be the primary teacher for their child.
(Last checked 06/12/08)
Dollar General
School Library Relief Program
“Beyond Words: The Dollar General School Library Relief Program” benefits public school libraries recovering from major disasters. The program is administered by the American Association of School Librarians, a division of the American Library Association. The National Education Association works with the AASL on the grant review committee and provides support materials to libraries. The fund provides grants for books, media and/or equipment that support learning in a school library environment.
(Last checked 06/12/08)
Dollar General
Youth Literacy Grants
The Dollar General Youth Literacy Grants provide funding to schools, public libraries and nonprofit organizations to help with the implementation or expansion of literacy programs for students who are below grade level or experiencing difficulty reading.
(Last checked 06/12/08)
Ernie and Tram Go to Bat for Michigan Libraries
Libraries have until October 31st to apply for the 2006 Ernie and Tram Go to Bat for Public Libraries Grants. Seven awards of $1,050 each will be awarded to libraries that meet this year’s program criteria. Emphasis will be given to libraries establishing new endowment funds. Criteria and Eligibility:
1) Public libraries from anywhere in Michigan are eligible to apply
2) Applications will be evaluated according to class size
3) Applicant libraries must be able to raise $1,000 by May 1, 2007 in order to receive one of the $1,050 match awards
4) Funds raised by the applicant library in this calendar year (since January 1, 2006) count for the match
5) No public/operational funds (i.e. attained from normal appropriations or millages) are allowed to count for the match
6) The match award will be paid out by the Library of Michigan Foundation following receipt of detailed verification provided by the applicant library of how the $1,000 was raised
(Last checked 06/12/08)
Ezra Jack Keats Foundation, see Keats Foundation
First Book National Book Bank
The First Book National Book Bank is the first centralized system enabling publishers to donate large quantities of books to the non-profit sector for distribution to children from low-income families participating in community-based programs nationwide. Founded to utilize the large volume of children's books publishers generously offer First Book for donation each year, the First Book National Book Bank delivers books through First Book's established supply pipeline to children from low-income families across the country. The First Book National Book Bank serves as a distribution system to national and local non-profit organizations reaching the broadest spectrum of children in need.
(Last checked 06/12/08)
Foundation Grants for Preservation in Libraries, Archives, and Museums
A collaborative project of the Library of Congress and the FoundationCenter. This publication lists 1,725 grants of $5,000 or more awarded by 474 foundations, from 2003 through 2007. It covers grants to public, academic, research, school, and special libraries, and to archives and museums for activities related to conservation and preservation. This publication includes:
(1) an introduction that explains the book's coverage, arrangement, entries, and how to research using the volume. Note: This pdf file contains hotlinks to free online grant writing tutorials and introductions to foundations offered by the FoundationCenter as well as to some other widely used non-profit guidance on preservation grants found on the conservation online web site.
(2) a statistical analysis of grant funding in the area of preservation by foundation, recipient location, subject, recipient type (e.g., Library), grant size, and foundation generosity nationwide.
(3) state-by-state descriptions of projects funded in preservation nationwide including the foundation's name, limitations on giving, focus for giving, recipient(s), size of grant, and purpose of the grant described. Note: This section is hot linked in the pdf version directly to more detailed descriptions of the foundations.
(4) indexes by recipient, geographic area of the recipient, and subject. Note: If you do not find what you are looking for in the indices, use the find feature to search the text for your term.
(5) a list of all foundations that have donated to preservation with their contact information and limitations.
(Last checked 06/12/08)
Funding Your Library Outreach Program
Advice from the Idaho State Library. Still available thanks to the Internet Archive.
(Last checked 06/12/08)
(Bill and Melinda) Gates Foundation
Global Libraries Program
Computers and the Internet are powerful drivers of economic and social progress. Access to these tools and training can help people learn professional skills, search for work, use government services, conduct business online, and exchange ideas with others. But inequity in global access to technology has led to a severe digital divide: Just one person in seven is able to benefit from the opportunities that Internet access can provide. To address this inequity, the Global Libraries initiative partners with countries emerging from poverty to help public libraries provide free access to computers connected to the Internet and training in how to use them. We also present an annual Access to Learning Award for innovation to a library outside the United States. With our partners, Global Libraries is helping to transform public libraries into vital tools that can help millions of people improve their lives.
(Last checked 06/12/08)
(Bill and Melinda) Gates Foundation
PAC HUG Program
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has announced the Public Access Computer Hardware Upgrade Grant Program. Michigan is one of the early states that participated in the Foundation's U.S. Statewide Partnership program six years ago, in which public libraries received public access computers that are not able to be upgraded and cannot be maintained well because of the limited technical assistance available. This new one-time upgrade grant program was designed to help libraries serving disadvantaged communities replace and upgrade public access computers, including hardware and software, to better meet the needs of their communities.
(Last checked 06/12/08)