Happy October! Here is a roundup of grants available to libraries with deadlines in the next few months, or with rolling or ongoing deadlines. Check back each month for an updated list!
ACRL 2025 Conference Scholarships
Deadline: October 11, 2024
The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) is offering $90,000 in scholarships to support in-person and virtual attendance at ACRL 2025. Scholarships aim to help academic and research library professionals expand their skills and stay current with industry developments. Each scholarship includes a conference registration waiver ($259–$549 value) and a travel stipend (typically $600). Scholarships are available to early-career, mid-career, and career librarians, library school students, recent graduates, and support staff. Priority is given to applicants from diverse cultural or ethnic backgrounds, those serving underrepresented groups, employed at community, junior, or technical colleges, international applicants, individuals demonstrating financial need, those living with visible or non-visible disabilities, and those contributing to a diverse representation at the conference. Applications require a biography, a description of how attendance at the ACRL conference will support current job responsibilities and/or long-term goals, and a commitment statement on equity and inclusion.
PLA Digital Navigator Workshop Incentive Program
Deadline: October 18, 2024
The 2024–2025 PLA Digital Navigator Workshop Incentive is a pilot program supported by AT&T. This initiative is designed to support libraries that already have Digital Navigators in place, providing funding to enhance their efforts in teaching digital literacy skills using PLA’s DigitalLearn course modules that are freely available to anyone. Digital Navigators are individuals who help community members navigate the digital world, providing guidance and support for various digital literacy topics. This program aims to equip these Navigators with additional resources to better serve their communities. Thirty-five libraries will receive $4,000 each to support their Digital Navigators and reach at least 15 learners. Grant funds can be used to compensate Digital Navigators, advertise the program, purchase training aids, supplies, technology, and giveaways, print and translate materials, provide snacks, transportation, childcare, and more. For more information, visit the PLA Digital Navigator Workshop Incentive website. Apply through ALA Apply, the American Library Association’s Grant Management System.
PLA/AT&T Digital Literacy Workshop Incentive
Deadline: October 18, 2024
The Public Library Association (PLA), in partnership with AT&T, offers funding and resources through the Digital Literacy Workshop Incentive program to support libraries in teaching essential digital skills using PLA’s DigitalLearn course modules and training materials that are freely available to anyone. Fifty large libraries will receive $10,000 each to teach a minimum of 75 learners. Fifty small libraries (service population of less than 100,000) will receive $5,000 each to teach a minimum of 30 learners. Grant funds can be used for hiring trainers, purchasing training aids, giveaways, and technology, printing materials, advertising workshops, translating materials, providing snacks, transportation, and childcare, renting space, and more.
CLIR Grants for Digitizing Hidden Special Collections and Archives
Deadline: October 30, 2024, for initial applications
Digitizing Hidden Special Collections and Archives: Amplifying Unheard Voices, a program of the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR), supports the digitization of rare and unique materials held by collecting organizations in the U.S. and Canada. For the 2024-2025 cycle, up to $4,000,000 in grants will be awarded in the amounts of $50,000 to $300,000 USD for projects digitizing materials in a variety of formats that enrich the public’s understanding of the histories of underrepresented communities, particularly those of people of color and other communities and populations whose work, experiences, and perspectives have been insufficiently recognized or unattended. These often “hidden” histories include but are not limited to, those of Black, Indigenous, Latine, and other People of Color; Women; Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Non-binary, and other Genderqueer people and communities; Immigrants; Displaced populations; Blind, Deaf, and Disabled people and communities; and Colonized, Disenfranchised, Enslaved, and Incarcerated people. The program is generously supported by the Mellon Foundation. Eligible applicants include nonprofit, academic, independent, and community-based organizations as well as government entities in the U.S. and Canada that collect, preserve, and share rare and unique materials with the general public.
Council on Library and Information Resources: Digitizing Hidden Special Collections and Archives
Deadline: October 30, 2024
Digitizing Hidden Special Collections and Archives: Amplifying Unheard Voices, a program of the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR), supports the digitization of rare and unique materials held by collecting organizations in the U.S. and Canada. For the 2024-2025 cycle, up to $4,000,000 in grants will be provided for projects digitizing materials in a variety of formats that enrich the public’s understanding of the histories of underrepresented communities, particularly those of people of color and other communities and populations whose work, experiences, and perspectives have been insufficiently recognized or unattended. Eligible applicants include nonprofit, academic, independent, and community-based organizations as well as government entities in the U.S. and Canada that collect, preserve, and share rare and unique materials with the general public.
Kindness Grows Here: Kid Kindness Grants
Deadline: November 1, 2024
Kindness Grows Here is a grassroots organization on a mission to create a kinder world by fostering kindness in youth. Through Kid Kindness Grants, support is provided to kids between the ages of five and 18 who have ideas for spreading kindness. The intent of these grants is for young people to be involved in developing and carrying out their own ideas dedicated to solving problems in their community by spreading kindness. Applications must be written and submitted by someone who is five to 18 years old. Both individuals and groups of kids may apply, including a group of friends, a school club, a classroom, a scout troop, or a sports team, etc. Individuals may apply for up to $250. Small groups (two to four kids) may apply for up to $500. Large groups (five or more kids) may apply for up to $800. All applicants must have an adult supervising their project.
Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities
Deadline: December 11, 2024
Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities will offer more than $7 million in grants to small and rural libraries to increase the accessibility of facilities, services, and programs to better serve people with disabilities. To be eligible, a library must have a legal area population of 25,000 or less and be located at least five miles from an urbanized area, in keeping with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) definitions of small and rural libraries. ALA will award four rounds of grants to be distributed over the next four years ranging from $10,000 to $20,000. Participating libraries will first conduct community input-gathering sessions to assure that their work aligns with local needs. Libraries will be required to identify the primary audience they are hoping to reach (e.g., homebound seniors, children with autism, Deaf community members) and facilitate a community conversation with the impacted populations in order to guide the improvement of the library’s services. Grantees would then use the funds to create services or improve their facilities based on the needs identified by their audience.
Wyoming Humanities’ Indian Education for All Program
Deadline: Ongoing
One of the best ways to fulfill the Indian Education for All Act is to have Tribal Knowledge Keepers visit Wyoming classrooms. This is not always feasible because costs for travel and honorarium to those wanting to share their valuable wisdom. To address these challenges, Wyoming Humanities is offering funds for K-12 educators in Wyoming to bring an Indigenous Knowledge Keeper into their school, classroom, or field trip. All requests for support should help fulfill Indian Education for All standards and requirements. Wyoming Humanities will offer one-time compensation to support the inclusion of Indigenous Knowledge Keeper in the classroom, including: a $350 Honoraria (a “thank you” for the Indigenous Knowledge Keeper’s time and energy) and $200 in travel funds (if 100+ miles roundtrip) Payment will be made directly to the Indigenous Knowledge Keeper. Funding is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. If payment is required prior to the classroom visit, apply at least six weeks before the visit. If payment is NOT required prior to the classroom visit, apply at least four weeks before the visit.
Wish You Well Foundation
Deadline: Ongoing
The Wish You Well Foundation supports adult and family literacy in the United States by fostering the development and expansion of new and existing adult literacy and educational programs. The focus is on supporting nonprofit organizations that teach adults the literacy skills they need to communicate, grow, and thrive within their communities. Grants amounts range from $200 to $10,000.
Scholastic Possible Fund
Deadline: Ongoing
The Scholastic Possible Fund was established to provide a single repository of quality children’s books to be donated to charity partners that share the Company’s mission to improve global literacy and put books into the hands of children who might otherwise have none. The Fund seeks to improve access to books in underserved communities and to provide relief in communities recovering from crises or natural disasters. The non-profit partners receiving donations from the Fund have demonstrated the ability to effectively educate children and families in diverse communities about the importance of books and reading from birth through adulthood.
Jan Stauber-Sherlock Holmes Literacy Grant
Deadline: Ongoing
The mission of the Jan Stauber Grants is to provide needed financial assistance to persons and organizations developing literacy programs and other educational experiences that will introduce young people to Sherlock Holmes. Educators or librarians can be awarded up to $1,000 for a project that encourages young people to read and introduces them to Sherlock Holmes.
Books Save Lives Grant
Deadline: Ongoing
Each Books Save Lives Grant will provide up to $5,000 per school library. The grant money must be used toward purchasing diverse books and the books must remain on the shelves for a minimum of three years. Applicants must nominate a school library within the United States to receive a Books Save Lives Grant. Applications may be completed anonymously. The grant must be used to purchase diverse books for school libraries. Winning libraries may select titles and quantities based on book lists provided by WNDB. We will ship the books directly to the school. Note: we will continue adding books to the lists. Winning schools must provide a signed written agreement that the books they receive via the grant will remain on shelves for a minimum of three years.
Art Resources Transfer’s Library Program
Deadline: Ongoing
This program provides free books on contemporary art to public institutions nationwide. Public libraries, public schools, prisons, and reading centers that self-define as under-served are eligible to order free books through our Library Program. Institutions can order anytime throughout the year. Books are entirely free and shipped free of charge.
The Pilcrow Foundations Children’s Book Project Program Grant
DEADLINE: Rolling The Pilcrow Foundation, a national non-profit public charity, provides a 2-to-1 match to rural public libraries that receive a grant through its Children’s Book Project and contribute $200-$400 through a local sponsors for the purchase of up to $1,200 worth (at retail value) of new, quality, hardcover children’s books. We provide a list of over 500 quality hardcover children’s books from which Children’s Book Project grant recipients can select books best suited for their community. The book list includes award-winning and star-reviewed titles from educational and literary organizations.
Black Hills Corporation Community Giving
DEADLINE: Ongoing
Areas of focus are arts and culture, civic and community development, education, environment, human services, and youth development. Giving limited to Black Hills Energy service areas.
BNSF Railway Foundation Grants
DEADLINE: Ongoing
Supports organizations and programs that support and improve the general welfare and quality of life in the communities in which BNSF Railway Company operates. Generally, they will consider requests for funding that clearly fall within one or more of the following categories: civic services, cultural organizations, educational institutions, health and human service organizations, youth organizations, and a federally recognized tribal government.
T-Mobile Hometown Grant Program
DEADLINE: Ongoing
T-Mobile is investing $25M in 500 rural towns over 5 years to jumpstart projects and build stronger communities. These grants can be used to help upgrade tech at your local library, build new hiking trails, revitalize historic buildings, and more.