Happy October! Here is an UPDATED roundup of grants available to libraries with deadlines in the next few months, or with rolling or ongoing deadlines.
Joann Sweetland Lum Memorial Grant
Deadline: December 1, 2025
This grant aims to recognize a librarian who has a creative, innovative project that promotes literacy and is designed to recognize a creative, innovative literacy project for and with youth (ages 10-19). Examples of literacy include, but are not limited to, digital, media, visual, computer, data, financial, civic/ethical, news, information, multicultural, and cultural.
Libraries Transforming Communities (LTC): Accessible Small and Rural Communities Grants
Deadline: December 11, 2025
More than $7 million in Libraries Transforming Communities (LTC): Accessible Small and Rural Communities grants to increase the accessibility of facilities, services, and programs to better serve people with disabilities. Up to 300 libraries will be selected for the fourth round of grants and receive $10,000 or $20,000 to support a community engagement project; virtual training; online resources; and technical and project support from the ALA Public Programs Office throughout the grant term. Selected libraries will conduct community input-gathering sessions to ensure alignment with local community needs. Libraries will identify the primary audience they hope to reach (e.g., people with physical disabilities, people with learning disabilities, older adults with mobility disabilities, children with autism, Deaf community members) and facilitate a community conversation with the impacted populations to guide the improvement of services. Grantees will then use the funds to create services or improve facilities based on the needs identified by their audience. The opportunity is open to libraries serving small and rural communities in the U.S. and U.S. territories, located in an area with a population of 25,000 or less, and that are 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. The initiative is offered by the American Library Association in partnership with the Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL) and is supported by a private donor.
Geico
Deadline: December 31, 2025
The GEICO Philanthropic Foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations nationwide that deliver programs to support and uplift diverse communities. Its funding priorities include expanding access to education, particularly in STEM, early childhood learning, and safety. The Foundation also invests in community engagement efforts that address issues such as financial literacy, food insecurity, environmental conservation, animal welfare, and health and wellness. In addition, it supports organizations advancing equity, justice, diversity, and inclusion to create fairer opportunities for all.
McMurry Library Endowment Grants
Deadline: Rolling
The Carol McMurry Library Endowment was established in 2000 within the Wyoming Community Foundation to provide support to Wyoming library staff and volunteers and to publicly accessible Wyoming libraries in three areas: Education and Training (Library and individual), Library Resources, and Library Foundation Development. There are multiple grant cycles per year. Visit the link above for specific application and deadline information.
Daniels Fund Grant
Deadline: Ongoing
The Daniels Fund provides grants to organizations delivering programs in Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Utah that align with our funding areas, as defined by their founder (Aging, Amateur Sports, Disabilities, Drug & Alcohol Addiction, Early Childhood Education, Homeless & Disadvantaged, K-12 Education Reform, and Youth Development.
Dr. Scholl Foundation
Deadline: January 31st
The Dr. Scholl Foundation was established by William M. Scholl, M.D. in 1947, almost 40 years after he founded the foot care company. The foundation is a private, independent grant-making foundation for charitable purposes, and is committed to improving the world.
National Leadership Grants for Libraries
Deadline: Ongoing
The National Leadership Grants for Libraries Program (NLG-L) supports projects that develop, enhance, or disseminate replicable practices, programs, models, or tools to strengthen library and archival services for the American public.
The Courage Project
Deadline: Ongoing
The Courage Project seeks to recognize individuals and organizations that embody the foundational values of our nation through acts of courage that strengthen our communities, our democracy, and our shared future. The Courage Project distributes awards to organizations and honors everyday people for acts of courage and compassion that demonstrate bravery in their communities. For organizational awards, local nonprofit organizations will receive recognition for specific actions, whether that’s supporting free speech, championing equality, or building community. For individual recognition, recipients may recommend donations to values-aligned American non-profit organizations, seeding civic engagement in their communities and strengthening our democracy. By allowing recipients to “pay it forward,” the project gives Americans the chance to seed lasting change in their own communities. The award amounts will range from $10,000 to $50,000. Whether it’s a librarian defending free speech, a teacher protecting vulnerable students, or a local leader bridging divides, these recipients embody core national values: kindness, empathy, and community. For individual honorees, The Courage Project also provides an opportunity to “pay it forward” by directing funds to nonprofit organizations aligned with their values – helping to foster long-term impact at the grassroots level.
The Community Heart & Soul Grant Program
Deadline: Ongoing
The Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant Program provides $10,000 in funding for resident-driven groups in small cities and towns to start the Community Heart & Soul model. Grant funding requires a $10,000 cash match from the participating municipality or a partnering organization.
Believe in Reading – Grants for Literacy Program
Deadline: Ongoing
Grants are made to organizations with 501(c)(3) status or its equivalent for educational institutions, including public libraries. Believe in Reading will consider funding programs that serve any age or aspect of supporting reading and literacy, including adult literacy, English as a second language projects, or Braille projects for the blind or visually impaired. Believe in Reading will supply funds only if they are earmarked for literacy, not just a general campaign. Reading must be the prime activity. Because addressing literacy is not a short-term process, Believe in Reading’s grants are renewable for up to a maximum of three years, but a first-year award does not guarantee any subsequent awards. Currently, the maximum grant amount is $10,000; however, the vast majority of grants are for $3,000 or less. First-time applicants will not be funded for more than $3,000.
Rural Technology Education & Assistive Technology (AT) Grants
Deadline: Ongoing
Grants are typically $500 – $2,500 for staff and student-led projects in public schools and libraries. The projects funded are designed to help spark student interest in technology-based careers like computer science, computer engineering, information technology, programming, cyber security, robotics, or similar areas. In some cases, these project donations may include a few smaller items like a Raspberry Pi microcomputer or a robotics kit or entire Maker Spaces equipped with things like circuit development kits, 3-D printers, robotics kits, and classroom sets of individual microcomputers to build upon. Other projects include early-stage robotics classes, teams, and clubs interested in project-based learning that culminates in competitive events like FIRST. The focus is on funding libraries and schools in rural or high-poverty areas that are designed to reach multiple students equitably and help establish ongoing student interest groups like maker spaces and coding clubs.
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 honorarium 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 this 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 Grant 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.
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
These grants are given to organizations and programs that support and improve the general welfare and quality of life in the communities in which BNSF Railway Company operates. Generally, requests that clearly fall within one or more of the following categories will be considered for funding: 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.