Library Development Services Early Literacy Initiative - How to obtain funding

Text Size: A+| A-| A | Text Only Site | Accessibility

Library Development Services

Department
- Library, Oregon State
- Divisions

Early Literacy Initiative - How to obtain funding - Private foundations

How to obtain funding

     - Successful grant seeking
     - Government funding
     - Private/corporate foundations

            Jump to Finding private/corporate foundation grants
            Jump to Recommended strategies for applying
            Jump to Private/corporate foundation grant sources

Finding private/corporate foundation grants

Two resources are particularly useful in locating funding from private/corporate foundation grant sources. Both of these books are available at the Oregon State Library, although the most recent edition may not be available for interlibrary loan.

Oregon Foundation Databook
A directory of grantmaking foundations based in Oregon. The data includes the type of foundation, fiscal information, geographic focus, interests and primary funding areas, application deadlines, contact information, an overview of their grantmaking history, and lists of grants made by the organization during the last year.

Thanks to a grant made by the Oregon Community Foundation, many public libraries may already have a copy of this resource in their collections. The most recent edition was published in June 2005.

The Foundation Directory
The Foundation Directory, compiled by The Foundation Center, has a national focus. A typical foundation entry includes the name of the foundation, the mailing address, contact name, telephone number and, where available, an email address and web address. To provide you with a sense of a foundation's grantmaking priorities, records also include such crucial data as the establishment date; names of donors; purpose and activities statements; fields of interest; limitations statements; types of support; application information; trustees, officers, and donors names and titles; publications; a link to the foundation's 990-PF (IRS return); and, where available, a selected grants list. The resource is organized geographically but also includes indices organized by name and subject area.

Many libraries consider this a staple to their reference collections or as part of larger grantmaking collections. In fact, the Multnomah County Library houses a “cooperating collection” for The Foundation Center. Some libraries, including Multnomah County, also subscribe to The Foundation Directory Online, a searchable online database.

When using these books or The Foundation Directory Online, consider looking into the following factors:

Fields of Interest: Brain research; Child development, education; Child development, services; Children; Children, services; Early childhood education; Education, early childhood education; Education, reading; Emergent literacy; Family services, parent education; Infants/toddlers; Libraries (public); Libraries/ library science; Literacy; Reading
Types of Support: Cause-related marketing; Conferences/ seminars; Consulting services; Curriculum development; General / operating; Matching/ challenge; Program development; Program evaluation; Public relations services; Publication; Seed money
Geographic Focus: Oregon; National
Keywords for online searching: early childhood; emergent literacy; family services + literacy; literacy; libraries

Recommended strategies for applying

Consider following these steps to better your chances of successfully receiving government grants:

Obtain permission from the partnering libraries’ government bodies to move forward.
Follow-up contact with those foundations identified as best prospects to obtain current application guidelines, annual reports, and copies of recent information returns (the IRS Form 990s may be obtained via the Web). Re-confirm deadlines for funding requests, since published information may no longer be current. Carefully read the application guidelines to establish:
- Whether that the lead applicant is still eligible to apply
- That the potential funder is still the best match for the field of interest (like early childhood education) and the type of support (like program development)
- Whether the requested amount of award is appropriate, based upon the foundation’s history of giving
Uncover the ‘passion points’ of the funder that may not have been noted elsewhere – like a special initiative (i.e. to fund quality parenting programs for economically disadvantaged persons) or an interest in funding specific components of a particular project (i.e. parenting programs focused on building early literacy skills).
Hold at least one meeting with stakeholders (representatives of the project’s target audience and prospective partners), for additional help, if needed, with project design and development.
Identify partners with whom to work collaboratively, and develop a project budget.
Submit a letter of inquiry, pre-application or proposals. I recommend we first submit grant applications to private/corporate foundations in Oregon, followed by grant submissions to regional and national foundations.
Develop a comprehensive “next steps” spreadsheet to track the submission status of pre-applications, letters of inquiry, and/or full grant applications, and to identify who is responsible for drafting the proposal to which foundations. (It can take up to nine months to receive notice of an award from a private or corporate foundation.)

Private/corporate foundation grant sources

You can also download this list as a Microsoft Word document or a PDF document.

Key to grid:

An "X" in the numbered columns indicates that the foundation has the following funding objectives/foci:

Column 1: Child development, education; Child development, services; Children, services; Infants/toddlers
Column 2: Early childhood education; Education, early childhood education
Column 3: Education, reading; Education; Emergent literacy; Reading; Literacy
Column 4: Family services, parent education
Column 5: Libraries (public); Libraries/library science
Column 6: Oregon (geographic focus)
Column 7: National (geographic focus)

Bolded entries indicate that the foundation is a good candidate for funding Early Literacy projects in public libraries.

Contact information and web addresses for these foundations can be found in the Oregon Foundation Databook or The Foundation Directory.

Foundation	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Comments
Allen Family Foundation, Paul G.		X	X	X	X	X		Letter of Inquiry (LOI) required at least 6 weeks before deadlines; if invited, March 31 & Sept 30 See web site for recent information: Geographic focus: Pacific Northwest
American Honda Foundation	X	X	X				X	Application form is available online. Deadlines: The first day of November, February, May, and August.
Annenberg Foundation		X	X				X	Letter of Inquiry (LOI) required; Application form not required.
Baker Family Foundation			X			X		October 1; Giving primarily to cities of Eugene & Springfield; Lane County & the six contiguous counties.
Bank of America		X					X
Bean Foundation	X		X			X		Giving limited to Jefferson County, OR.
Blue Mountain Community Foundation	X		X	X		X		July 1; Giving limited to Umatilla County, OR.
Braemar Charitable Trust	X		X			X		Download application guidelines. Deadlines vary by region. Giving limited to Oregon.
Barbara Bush Foundation		X		X			X	The goal of the program is to develop and expand family literacy efforts nationwide and to support the development of literacy programs that build families of readers.
Books For Kids Foundation	X	X	X	X	X		X	The Books for Kids Foundation promotes literacy among all children with special emphasis on disadvantaged children and youth. Books for Kids donates books, creates libraries, participates in reading initiatives within community-based organizations, service agencies, schools and under-served institutions. In addition to assisting recognized learning programs, such as Head Start, the Books for Kids Foundation seeks to create opportunities for children and parents in under-served or over-looked locations.
Cannon Foundation, Hugh S.	X		X			X		Giving limited to programs that focus on education and children’s issues in the Pacific Northwest. No deadlines; grants usually made in December. Letter of Inquiry (LOI).
Carpenter Foundation	X	X	X	X	X	X		Six weeks before board meetings (Mar, June, Sept & Dec); Giving limited to Jackson & Josephine counties, OR.
Chevron-Texaco Foundation		X					X	Application form not required. Giving primarily in areas of company operations.
Comcast Reading Network		X	X	X	X		X	The goals of the Comcast Reading Network are to help children develop a lifelong love for reading, encourage adults to read to children, and to increase the adult literacy rate.
Commanday Foundation, Dorothy K.		X	X				X	Letter of inquiry (LOI). No deadlines.
Curthoys Foundation Inc. Carol Ann	X					X		Letter of inquiry (LOI). No deadlines.
Davis Foundation, Arthur Vining	X	X					X	Funded public television’s children’s literacy program.
Dell Foundation	X					X		Giving primarily in Douglas County, OR. An application form is available online.
Dollar General Literacy Foundation			X	X			X	Provides financial support to organizations and initiatives that support literacy and literacy-related causes for individuals of all ages. Dollar General's Community Grants Program accepts applications on a quarterly basis from non-profit organizations operating in and providing services within their 27-state market area, including grants for family literacy initiatives, youth reading initiatives, GED preparation, adult basic education programs, English as a second language instruction, and intergenerational literacy initiatives.
Dussin Family Charitable Trust	X	X				X		Send letter requesting application form.
Ferguson Foundation, High and Jane			X		X	X		Pre-application: Jan. 15 & July 15. Full proposal if invited: Feb 15 & Aug 15. Giving in OR, but emphasis is on WA.
First Book	X	X	X				X	First Book is a national nonprofit organization with a mission of giving children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their first new books. The primary goal of First Book is to work with existing literacy programs to distribute new books to children who, for economic reasons, have little or no access to books. The Department of Education is a government partner.
Fohs Foundation	X	X				X		Giving primarily in Oregon. Application not required; send letter of request.
Ford Foundation		X	X				X	See web site for current funding guidelines and submittal information.
Ford Family Foundation	X		X	X	X	X		Pre-applications accepted year-round. Giving primarily in rural OR, with special interest in Douglas & Coos counties.
Gilmore Foundation, William G.	X		X	X		X		May 1 & Nov 1. Application form not required.
Goettel Charitable Foundation, Noble B.	X					X		Apr 15; Giving limited to the Douglas County area. Application form required.
Gordon Foundation, Leotta	X	X				X		Submit proposal. No deadlines. Giving primarily in Portland.
Hasbro Children's Foundation	X	X	X				X	Letter of inquiry (LOI) See web site for rolling deadlines.
Hunt Charitable Trust, C.G.	X		X		X	X		Feb. 28; Giving primarily in Douglas County, OR.
IBM Corporation			X	X			X	Technology Donation Program of the IBM Corporation seeks to improve information management, and computer access and training for youth and the disadvantaged through its Technology Donation Program for charitable organizations. Through this grant, IBM will provide equipment to support efforts including: Youth education and early learning; Job training and employment; Community and family services; Adult learning and literacy programs; Support for the disabled/disadvantaged; and Youth development. Check with your local United Way for application procedures.
Irwin Foundation, H.W. and D.I.	X		X			X		Application form required. Giving primarily in Portland. Deadlines: May 15th & November 15th.
Johnson Foundation, Samuel S.	X	X	X	X		X		Letter of inquiry (LOI). If invited, deadlines: May 15 & Nov 15.
Keller Foundation		X				X		Contact this Vancouver, WA-based foundation for their most recent giving information. May only make grants to pre-selected organization.
Kellogg Foundation, W.K.		X	X				X	Best match: Youth and Education program area. Online Letter of inquiry (LOI); no deadlines.
Kirlin Foundation	X	X	X					Unsolicited requests not accepted (See web site for information; must be invited to apply)
Lamb Foundation	X	X				X		See website for updated information about applications (must be invited to apply
McCormick Tribune Foundation	X	X	X				X	See website for updated information about applications
McGraw Family Foundation Inc.	X		X		X	X		Giving limited to Portland. Letter of inquiry (LOI).
Mailman Family Foundation, A.L.		X	X				X	Letter of inquiry (LOI); If invited, application form required. Deadlines: Jan 15 and June 15.
May Family Foundation, Anna	X					X		Mar 1 & Sept 2; Giving primarily in Jackson County, OR. Letter of inquiry (LOI); If invited, application form required.
Meyer Memorial Trust	X		X	X		X		Best match: General Purpose Grants Program. No deadlines. Letter of Inquiry (LOI).
Murdock Charitable Trust, M.J.	X		X			X		Education program or Strengthen the Contemporary American Family program. Pre-application required. No deadlines.
Murphy Foundation, Harry and Dorothy	X		X			X		Submit letter of request. Giving primarily in Portland.
National Book Scholarship Fund				X			X	Provides local literacy programs throughout the United States with New Readers Press books and other educational materials essential to begin a new literacy outreach program or to significantly expand an existing effort. Priority will be given to family literacy programs. English-as-a-Second Language projects followed by adult basic educational programs are also considered for support.
North Pacific Group Inc. Corporate Giving Program	X					X		Emphasis on Portland area. Application form required. Contact headquarters to request form.
Northwest Natural Gas Company Contributions Program	X		X	X		X		Giving primarily in western Oregon. Application form not required. No deadlines.
Oregon Community Foundation	X	X	X	X	X	X		Feb 1 & Aug 1/ Best program match: Oregon! Ready to Learn Implementation Grants
PacifiCare Health Systems Foundation			X			X		Deadlines: Jan 1 & July 1.
PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning	X	X	X			X		Mar 15 (Education); June 15 (Civic/Community); Sept 15 (Culture/Arts); Dec 15 (Health Welfare)
Packard Foundation, Dave and Lucille	X	X	X	X			X	Provides grants to nonprofit organizations in the following program areas: Conservation; Population; Science; Children, Families, and Communities; Arts; and Organizational Effectiveness and Philanthropy. The Foundation has a “center for the future of children” with a priority on reading programs.
PGE Foundation	X		X		X	X		The PGE Foundation makes immediate and long-term investments in programs that support the following priority areas of Oregon life: Education (including the expansion of library programs that improve reading and homework skills); Healthy Families; Arts/Culture; and Environment. Letter of Inquiry (LOI).
Perrin Foundation, Charles Hugh and Wilma Marie					X	X		Giving primarily in Prineville, OR.
Pitney Bowes Literacy and Education Fund	X	X	X	X			X	Pitney Bowes Literacy and Education Fund: Working through select Head Start centers, the goal of the program is to foster a learning environment in the home that maintains strong cultural and language bonds between parents and their children. Families will gain vital skills in supporting the children’s language acquisition and how they can connect to their children’s schools. The Pitney Bowes Literacy and Education Fund is a private foundation whose mission is to provide funding to literacy and education initiatives in key locations where Pitney Bowes has a significant presence.
Portland Children's Investment Fund	X	X	X		X	X		Early childhood organizations and programs funded in the Portland area.
Premera CARES Program	X					X		An application form is available online.
RGK Foundation	X	X		X			X	Supports a broad range of human services, youth development, community improvement, and cultural arts programs. Human service programs of particular interest to the Foundation include early childhood development, parenting education, and domestic violence and child abuse prevention.
Reading Is Fundamental	X	X	X	X	X		X	Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, RIF is the nation's largest children's and family literacy organization. RIF serves children and families in every state, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories in programs that operate in schools, libraries, etc.
Richards-Kreitzberg Charitable Foundation, Charla			X	X		X		Giving primarily in Portland. See web site for application information.
Schlesinger Foundation, Hubert & Ludmilla	X		X			X		Giving limited to Oregon. Submit letter of request. No deadlines.
Starbucks Foundation	X	X	X				X	The Starbucks Foundation supports community organizations across North America dedicated to youth and literacy. The Starbucks Foundation focuses on improving young peoples’ lives by supporting literacy programs for children and families. Letter of Inquiry (LOI).
Subaru of America Foundation, Inc.	X		X			X		Email foundation@subaru.com. Giving in Oregon, emphasis on Portland. Send 1-2 page letter of inquiry (LOI).
Templeton Foundation, Herbert A.	X	X				X		Deadlines: Mar 15 & Sept 15.
Toyota	X	X	X	X			X	Toyota Family Literacy Program (TFLP) is the first nationwide program of its kind to focus on the needs of Hispanic and other immigrant families. Coordinated by the National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL), the country's leading advocate for family literacy.
Tucker Charitable Trust, Rose E.	X		X			X		Giving limited to Oregon, with some emphasis on Portland metro area. No deadlines. Application form not required.
Tuscarora Foundation, Inc.		X	X				X	Application not required. No deadlines. Small grants.
UPS Foundation			X	X			X	The UPS Foundation is the charitable arm of Atlanta-based United Parcel Service Inc. Since 1995, it has made more than $1.5 million in direct contributions to NCFL and more than $19.4 million to support literacy efforts.
Viburnum Foundation			X	X	X		X	The Viburnum Family Literacy Project promotes the planning, training, and promotion of family literacy projects among rural libraries and their community partners. $3,000 grants to small public libraries in rural communities; also organizes and conducts two regional training workshops each year for new library grantees.
Walsh Private Foundation, Gary and Wanda	X	X	X			X		Application form required. No deadlines.
Young Trust, Juan	X		X		X	X		See foundation’s Web site for additional information, including deadlines and regional contacts for requesting the application form. Giving limited to OR, with some emphasis on Portland.

Early Literacy table of contents

• Early Literacy home
• About the Initiative
• Why Early Literacy?
• What libraries can do
• What libraries are doing
• How to obtain funding
• Additional resources
• What's next?
• Contact us

Page updated: July 24, 2007

Adobe Reader is required to view PDF files. Click the "Get Adobe Reader" image to get a free download of the reader from Adobe.