Here is a updated list of grant opportunities for libraries and library professionals with deadlines during the next couple of months or with ongoing application periods. Check them out and see if any of them can help your library meet the needs of your community even more effectively!
Institute of Museum and Library Services Grant Programs
Deadline: November 13, 2026
- Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program – Supports the training and professional development of library and archives professionals to meet the information needs of their communities.
- National Leadership Grants for Libraries – Supports projects that develop, enhance, or disseminate replicable practices, programs, models, or tools to strengthen library and archival services for the American public.
- Native American Library Services: Basic Grants – Assists eligible Native Communities in establishing, sustaining, and improving library services and operations with their communities.
- Native American Library Services: Enhancement Grants – Advance the programs and services of eligible Native American Tribes, including Alaska Native villages, regional corporations, and village corporations. These competitive grants, awarded in amounts up to $150,000, are designed to develop, enhance, or disseminate practices, programs, models, tools, or library staff training to strengthen library and archival services for Federally recognized Tribes, including Alaska Native villages, regional corporations, and village corporations.
SeedMoney Garden Grants
Deadline: November 14, 2026
Grants between $100 and $1,000 are available to a wide variety of food garden projects including, but not limited to, school gardens, community gardens, food pantry gardens, homeless shelter gardens, job training gardens, tribal gardens, senior gardens, library gardens, college gardens, orphanage gardens, demonstration gardens, and healing and therapeutic gardens, as well as hybrid versions of these projects that defy easy categorization (i.e. a community garden project involving seniors who are growing extra food for their local food pantry).
NEH Collections Stewardship Grants: Up to $500,000 for Libraries and Archives
Deadline: December 15, 2026
This program supports approximately 50 projects that preserve and increase access to physical and digital humanities collections with grants of $50,000–$100,000 for planning projects; $100,001–$350,000 for implementation projects by one organization; and $350,001–$500,000 for collaborative implementation projects.
Rocky Mountain Power Foundation
Deadline: December 15, 2026
Rocky Mountain Power Foundation supports the growth and vitality of local communities through charitable investments of between $2,000 and $5,000 during four grant cycles each year.
ALSC/Candlewick Press Light the Way Grant
Deadline: December 18, 2026
This $3,000 grant in honor of author Kate DiCamillo and the themes represented in her books can be used 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 to engage an underserved population of children from birth up to the age of 14.
Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries
Deadline: December 31, 2026
The Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries provides funds to libraries in Title 1 schools so that they can extend, update, and diversify the book and print collections in their libraries with the goal of encouraging students to develop a love of reading and learning.
Walmart Spark Good Local Grants
Deadline: December 31, 2026
These grants, ranging from $250 to $5,000, are awarded to projects that address specific community needs and align with the focus areas of Creating Opportunity, Advancing Sustainability, Strengthening Community, and/or Centering Racial Equity.
Improve the News Foundation VerityEd Educator / Librarian Grants for Media Literacy
Deadline: Rolling until funds are awarded; early applications are encouraged, preferably by the end of fall 2026
Twenty educators and/or school librarians will be selected to pilot Media Literacy & VerityEd lessons to help shape the future of media literacy in classrooms worldwide and receive a minimum of $1,000 to support implementation, plus optional bonuses and recognition.
Doris Ann Norris We Love Libraries Prize
Deadline: Ongoing
This $500 grant is funded by the Sisters in Crime writing network.
The Freedom to Learn Foundation Grant
Deadline: Ongoing
This grant provides direct support to libraries serving rural and historically marginalized communities that have experienced a loss or threat to public funding.
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 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.
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 designed to help spark student interest in technology-based careers like computer science, computer engineering, information technology, programming, cyber security, robotics, or similar areas.
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.
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.
Art Resources Transfer’s Library Program
Deadline: Ongoing
This program provides free books on contemporary art to public institutions nationwide, including public libraries, public schools, prisons, and reading centers that self-define as under-served are eligible to order free books through our Library Program. I
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.
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.
Please contact Wyoming State Library Communications and Grants Specialist Christi Weinzierl at christi.weinzierl1@wyo.gov with questions or for assistance in applying for any of these opportunities.