Happy December! 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!
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.
Candlewick Press “Light the Way” Grant
Deadline: December 16, 2024
The ALSC/Candlewick Press “Light the Way” Grant is sponsored by Candlewick Press in honor of author Kate DiCamillo and the themes represented in her books. The award consists of a $3,000 grant to assist a library in conducting exemplary and replicable outreach to underserved populations through a new and innovative program or an expansion of work already being done. The grant is administered by the ALSC Programs and Services Recognition Committee of the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association.
The Music Man Foundation: National Meredith Willson Awards
Deadline: January 24, 2025
The Music Man Foundation seeks to empower organizations using music to catalyze enduring change. The Foundation is currently accepting applications for the National Meredith Willson Awards, which provide multi-year, general operating support to national programs and organizations using music to achieve systemic change. For 2025, the Foundation anticipates awarding grants to three to eight organizations. Successful submissions will clearly identify the primary system the organization is impacting, articulate how and why music plays a key role in advancing this system change, and demonstrate why the organization is well-positioned to take on this system change. Nonprofit organizations with three years of experience conducting programming with a national focus and an intentional presence in at least three U.S. states or territories are eligible to apply. Grant award amounts will range from $100,000 to $1,000,000 over a two-year period.
EBSCO ALA Annual Conference Sponsorship
Deadline: February 3, 2025
This scholarship from EBSCO Information Services and the American Library Association . This annual award consisting of $1,000 for actual reimbursed expenses is designed to allow librarians to attend the ALA’s Annual Conference. These scholarships allow recipients to learn more about digital content, innovation and leadership and expand their professional development while networking with fellow library professionals.
Penguin Random House & United for Libraries Grants to Rural and Small Libraries
Application Dates: February 3-17, 2025
Penguin Random House, in partnership with United for Libraries, is offering grants to support rural and small U.S. libraries. Grants of $500 and $1,000 will be awarded, from a total grant pool of $25,000. In-kind book donation grants of $500 will also be awarded to 20 libraries to purchase Penguin Random House titles. Along with the grants, recipients will receive free eLearning from United for Libraries, including monthly webinars on leveraging grant funds to support libraries.Free sessions will help libraries prepare for the application process and strengthen their grant-writing skills. For more details and to register, visit this United for Libraries form.
STARS Virginia Boucher Distinguished ILL Librarian Award
Deadline: February 21, 2025
This is an award from Reference and User Services Association and the American Library Association . The STARS Virginia Boucher Distinguished ILL (Interlibrary Loan) Librarian Award is an annual award consisting of $2,000, sponsored by OCLC, and a citation. It recognizes an individual for outstanding professional achievement, leadership, and contributions to interlibrary loan and document delivery through recent publication of significant professional literature, participation in professional associations, and/or innovative approaches to practice in individual libraries. The candidate must have been employed in a library and held some responsibility for his or her institution’s ILL, document delivery, or resource sharing services at the time the contributions to be honored were made.
BRASS Excellence in Business Librarianship Award
Deadline: February 21, 2025
BRASS Excellence in Business Librarianship Award from Reference and User Services Association and the American Library Association . This award is available to a librarian that has distinguished themselves in the field of Business Librarianship. This award is sponsored by Mergent by FTSE Russell. The recipient’s contribution may lie in a variety of endeavors, such as authoring a seminal book or articles in business librarianship, the development of an imaginative and successful program centered around business within a library, the teaching of business librarianship in a particularly creative manner, the display of unusually strong leadership in a professional association geared to business librarianship, or other activities that encourage librarians to excel in business librarianship.
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.