 Serving public libraries in Cayuga, Cortland, Seneca, Tioga and Tompkins Counties
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Grants and Funding Opportunities for
Service to Youth and Families through Public Libraries
Specific Grants:
Funding for projects, programs, and collection development listed alphabetically.
Grants marked with an asterisks (*) are specifically for libraries.
- *Alibris
Collection Award [http://www.alibris.com/librarians/collection_award.cfm]
- Deadline: December 1
- An annual grant of up to $3,000 worth of books to an academic, public, special, or K-12 library supporting specific collection development projects that advance a mission, priority areas, and goals of the selected library. Each applying library must provide a 300 word statement explaining the general nature of the desired collection and the need for grant support and a list of the desired titles cross-checked against in-stock inventory. Alibris is a source of out-of-print, older-in-print, and otherwise unavailable books, movies, and music.
- Barnes
& Noble [http://www.barnesandnobleinc.com/company/codonation/co_donation.html]
- Deadline: Applications are welcome at any time. Please allow 60 days for a decision.
- Barnes & Noble's corporate contributions program supports non-profit organizations that focus on literacy, the arts or education (K - 12).
- Dollar
General Community Grants [http://www.dollargeneral.com/community/communityinvestments.aspx?Category=Community&SubCategory=Community%20Investments#CommunityGrants]
- Deadline: August 10
- Dollar General will award grants up to $2,500 to underwrite projects in the areas of literacy, dropout prevention, and character education.
- Early
Reading First Program [http://www.ed.gov/programs/earlyreading/index.html]
- Deadline: For pre-applications was March 23. See website for full details.
- This program supports local efforts to enhance the oral language, cognitive, and early reading skills of preschool-age children especially those from low-income families, through strategies, materials, and professional development that are grounded in scientifically based reading research.
- *Family Literacy
Library Services Grant [http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/parchld/
- Deadline: March 15
- The Family Literacy Library Services Grant program is a competitive grant program providing up to $300,000 each in two years for family literacy library projects. Applicants are encouraged to collaborate with other libraries, library systems, schools, cultural organizations, community groups, social service agencies and local businesses for public library-based programs. These grants see to enable public libraries and their community partners to offer programs, services, and materials to encourage family literacy activities; to support the Regents Learning Standards. (For information on the Regents Learning Standards, see: http://www.emsc.nysed.gov, to help families use the public library as an integral part of their student's academic success, and to develop models for planning, evaluation, and community needs assessment.
- *Giant
Step Award [http://www.galeschools.com/grant_goldmine/giant_award/about_giant.htm]
- Deadline: March 5
- Gale and School Library Journal give this award annually to recognize outstanding school and public libraries that have created innovative programs that have an impact on children and young adults. A total of $10,000 in cash prizes will be awarded.
- Hasbro Children's Foundation
[http://www.hasbro.org/default.cfm?page=grantmaking]
- Deadline: April 1 through June 1
- The Hasbro Children's Foundation is committed to improving the emotional, mental and physical well-being of children, birth through age twelve, through the support of innovative direct service programs in the areas of health, education and social services. Small grants are available to direct service programs that meet a need of disadvantaged children in a local community in an innovative way. Funding decisions are guided by the principles of caring, opportunity, and joy and may be sought to seed a new program component, or help make an existing program more efficient or effective.
- Home Depot Grants
[http://www.homedepotfoundation.org/awards.html]
- Deadline: Applications are welcome at any time.
- Home Depot focuses it's giving in four areas: affordable housing, at-risk youth, the environment, and disaster preparedness. It's focus on at-risk youth is: "Established programs that help to develop leaders and encourage young people to become contributing community citizens through job readiness training, leadership development and volunteerism are specifically of interest to The Home Depot Foundation. Grants are directed toward programs that target youth, ages 12-18, residing in under-served communities. "
- Jack
Kent Cooke Foundation [http://www.jackkentcookefoundation.org/jkcf_web/content.aspx?page=2414227]
- Deadline: October 15
- Jack Kent Cooke Foundation's Innovation Fund provides grants to
nonprofit organizations to spark the creation or expansion of innovative
education programs in a particular field. For 2005 grants, the Foundation
invites proposals from non-remedial, out-of-school programs in critical
reading and/or writing for elementary or middle school students.
Programs should be designed to help students build high-level reading
and/or writing skills to help them excel in rigorous academic environments
as they mature. Programs must operate in the United States and serve
low-to-moderate-income students. The Foundation encourages applications
from rural communities, small towns, and other underserved areas.
Each grant will total between $100,000 and $200,000 and may cover
one or two years of program work. The Foundation anticipates awarding
three grants, which will be announced in March 2005.
- *Libri Foundation [http://www.librifoundation.org/]
- Deadlines: Postmarked by March 15th, July 15th, and December 15th
- The Libri Foundation is a nonprofit organization that donates new, quality, hardcover children's books to small, rural public libraries in the United States through its Books for Children Program. Of particular interest are rural libraries that serve a population under 5,000, have a very limited budget, and have an active children's department. In order to encourage and reward local support of libraries, The Libri Foundation will match any amount of money raised by a library's local sponsor(s) from $50 to $350 on a 2-to-1 ratio. Thus, a library can receive up to $1,050 worth of new, quality, hardcover children's books. After a library receives a grant, local sponsors (such as formal or informal Friends groups, civic or social organizations, local businesses, etc.) have four months, or longer if necessary, to raise their matching funds.
- McKenzie
Foundation [http://www.mckenziefoundation.us/guidelines.php#giving]
- Deadline: Requests for $5,000 and under will be considered at any time.
- "Generally, The McKenzie Foundation looks for creative projects or programs which can serve as catalytic agents in their fields and that can have an impact that will continue after the specific project has been completed. The McKenzie Foundation seeks proposals that support the most effective and promising approaches to make a significant difference in the initiative areas and are well matched to the size and capabilities of the organization making the request." The Foundation offers grants for projects focusing on early childhood development, education, the environment, arts and culture.
- *Marshall Cavendish Excellence in Library Programming Award
[http://www.ala.org/ala/awardsbucket/cavendishaward/cavendishaward.htm]
- Deadline: December 1
- "An annual award consisting of $3,000 and a citation of achievement recognizes either a school or public library which demonstrates excellence in library programming by providing programs which have community impact and respond to community needs...Eligible programs or particular interest for consideration includes: support of educational programs, library programs for children and adults, reading and literature programs for children, library programs for young adults, programming for multi-ethnic groups, community outreach, literacy programs and providing programs and services for persons with disabilities.
- Milagro Foundation
[http://www.milagrofoundation.org/]
- Deadline: Applications are welcome at any time.
- The Milagro Foundation offers grants ranging between $2,500 - $5,000 to community-based organizations that work with children and youth, especially those at risk and disadvantaged due to such factors as poor health, illiteracy, or insufficient educational and cultural opportunities. The focus is on projects which address health education, literacy, and arts and culture education. Examples of projects that have been funded recently are reading and cultural enrichment programs in Spanish for community residents & children; and artists fees and materials for the Multicultural Arts Summer School serving children in the Mission area of San Francisco.
- Mockingbird
Foundation, Inc. http://www.mockingbirdfoundation.org/funding/
- Deadlines: February 1, August 1
- Distributes proceeds from the sale of products related to the band Phish to support music education for children. MFI is interested in targeting children eighteen years or younger, but will consider projects which benefit college students, teachers, instructors, or adult students. MFI is particularly (though not exclusively) interested in programs which benefit disenfranchised groups, including those with low skill levels, income, or education; with disabilities or terminal illnesses; and in foster homes, shelters, hospitals, prisons, or other remote or isolated situations. MFI is particularly interested in projects that encourage and foster creative expression in any musical form (including composition, instrumentation, vocalization, or improvisation), but also recognizes broader and more basic needs within conventional instruction. MFI encourages applications associated with diverse or unusual musical styles, genres, forms, and philosophies. Education may include the provision of instruments, texts, and office materials, and the support of learning space, practice space, performance space, and instructors/instruction. MFI is particularly interested in projects that foster self-esteem and free expression. Grants from $50.00 - $5,000 are available.
- New
York State Decentralization Grants (DEC) [http://www.nysca.org/public/home.cfm]
- Deadline: July 2
- Decentralization (DEC) is a legislative initiative to encourage local decision-making in the process of making grants in the arts. DEC grants are made in every county in the state. Local organizations and artists applying for DEC support must reside in and operate programs within the geographic boundaries of the DEC site where funds are requested. This listing of Decentralization sites is arranged alphabetically by county. Organizations may not apply for NYSCA support and for DEC support in the same state fiscal year. DEC sites are listed by location on the website. Contact your local Arts Council/DEC site for details about grants in your area.
- Ronald MacDonald House
Charities [http://www.rmhc.org/rmhc/index/grants.html]
- Deadlines: December 29 and August 1 for letters of inquiry. Full proposals will be invited.
- The Ronald McDonald House Charities award grants to support programs that improve the health and well-being of children, ages 0-18. Programs should address a significant funding gap or critical opportunity, have long term impact in terms of duplication or reach, and produce measurable results.
- Rosie's For All Kids [http://www.forallkids.org/]
- Deadline: Applications are welcome at any time. Disbursements of funds occur in March and October.
- The Rosie O'Donnell For All Kids Foundation provides financial support to nonprofit programs serving economically disadvantaged and at-risk children and their families. Priority is given to programs serving low-income, urban areas.
- Starbucks Foundation
[http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/foundation.asp]
- Deadline: April 1, October 1
- The Starbucks Foundation awards grants to local nonprofit organizations that serve low income, at-risk youth between the ages of 6 and 18. These grants support innovative programs that enhance culture diversity and involve families, schools and neighborhood organizations, particularly in traditionally underserved communities. Grants are concentrated on two areas of interest: the Power of Literacy, which focuses on programs that stimulate personal development and encourage commitment to social equity, justice and environmental awareness through writing, literacy and the promotion of the voices of youth in public forums, and Leaders in Diversity, which focuses on programs that teach the value of societal diversity, with an emphasis on the development of leadership skills to build bridges of understanding between individuals, groups and communities. Preference is given to programs that offer opportunities for Starbucks employees and stores to be involved. Grants range from $5,000 to $20,000.
- Target
Community Giving [http://target.com/target_group/community_giving/local_giving.jhtm]
- Deadline: Applications accepted March 1 - May 31. Applications will be reviewed as they are received; therefore, you are encouraged to apply early.
- Target will donate between $1,000 and $3,000 to programs in their market communities. Their funding interests are in three areas: early childhood reading (birth to third grade), the arts and family violence prevention.
- Verizon Foundation
Grants Program [http://foundation.verizon.com/04009.shtml]
- Deadline: Applications are accepted January 1- November 30.
- Focuses on technology and programs in literavy, the digital divide, women, economic development, and community development. Average grant sizes range from $5,000 - $10,000.
Search for Grants
- Grants Action News [http://www.assembly.state.ny.us/gan/]
- A monthly newsletter of grant opportunities and grant writing workshops available in New York State. Call 1-800-356-8486 for information about receiving this newsletter via e-mail.
- National Service Learning Clearinghouse [http://www.servicelearning.org/resources/hot_topics/funding/index.php]
- Search or browse through many funding organizations and grant opportunities.
- Big Book of Library Grant Money, 2006: Profiles of Private and Corporate Foundations and Direct Corporate Givers Receptive to Library Grant Proposals. ALA, 2006.
- "Provides detailed descriptive profiles of more than 2,100 philanthropic programs in the United States - programs associated with private foundations, corporate foundations, and corporate direct givers. All of the funders in this directory have either made grants to libraries within the last few reporting periods or [are receptive to library grant requests]."
Guidance for Grant Writing
- Barber, Peggy and Linda D. Crowe. Getting Your Grant: A How-to-Do-It
Manual for Librarians. Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc., 1993.
- Demystify the grant process with this nuts and bolts approach. Barber and Crowe take you through the process step by step.
- Karsh, Ellen. The Only Grant-Writing Book You'll Ever Need.
Carrol & Graf Publishers, 2003
- "This book will show you how to figure out what a grantmaker really wants, and how to make the most effective pitch."
- Proposal Writing Short Course [http://fdncenter.org/learn/shortcourse/prop1.html]
- The Foundation Center offers clear, easy to follow instructions for writing a grant proposal.