Best Literacy Grants for Nonprofits in Iowa

Nonprofit organizations, schools, colleges, and public libraries in Iowa offering adult basic education, GED or high school equivalency prep, or English language acquisition can apply for Dollar General Literacy Foundation’s Adult Literacy Grants. Focused on literacy, this program provides up to US $10,000 for direct-service adult education programs within 15 miles of a Dollar General store.

Iowa K-12 public schools with existing libraries that suffered significant library damage from recent disasters can access funding through Dollar General Literacy Foundation to rebuild books, media, and equipment. Eligible schools must be within 15 miles of a Dollar General store or distribution center and within 36 months of the qualifying event, supporting literacy-focused recovery efforts.

Nonprofit organizations, schools, colleges, and public libraries offering family literacy programs in Iowa can apply for funding to support adult education, children’s education, and parent-child learning time, with awards up to US $10,000. Dollar General Literacy Foundation supports programs within 15 miles of its stores that are listed in the National Literacy Directory.

Nonprofit organizations, public schools, and libraries in Iowa can receive funding to create or expand summer reading programs for Pre-K–12th grade students, including new, below-grade-level, and learning-disabled readers. Grants from Dollar General Literacy Foundation help eligible sites within 15 miles of a Dollar General store with awards up to US $3,000.

Schools, public libraries, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving K–12 struggling readers can apply for youth literacy grants to implement or expand programs, buy technology, and purchase books and materials. Dollar General Literacy Foundation supports literacy initiatives in Iowa and other eligible states, offering up to US $5,000 per grant for direct-service programs near its stores.

Schools and nonprofit partners in Iowa running after-school academic and enrichment programs, including literacy initiatives, can seek US $50,000 - US $150,000 annually through the Nita M. Lowey 21st CCLC grants. With a mission to expand community learning centers, Iowa Department of Education funds Title I-eligible schools serving high-need students and their families.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Iowa with at least three years of operation and a $100,000+ budget can seek funding for literacy and related skill-building programs, workforce preparation, and youth development. RBC Foundation USA supports efforts that equip people for future careers, expand inclusive prosperity, and advance environmental sustainability in communities where it has a business presence.

About the Iowa Department of Education

The Department provides oversight to the state education system that includes PK-12 public elementary and secondary schools, nonpublic schools that receive state accreditation, area education agencies, community colleges, and teacher preparation programs. The Department works to remove barriers for pursuing education beyond high school. The Department also establishes and enforces rigorous standards and licensing for Iowa educational practitioners to effectively address the needs of students. Under the leadership of the Iowa Department of Education Director and in partnership with the State Board of Education, Department team members, in collaboration with a wide range of community partners, support schools and districts as they prepare students for college and career training and ensure they receive the support needed to succeed.

Iowa's Bold Vision, Mission & Priorities

Building an excellent education system that empowers all students to achieve their full potential.

Ensure all students experience a world-class education.

Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant

In 2024, Iowa was awarded a total of $24 million from the federal competitive Comprehensive Literacy State Development (IA-CLSD) grant. The award includes $4 million in planning subgrants and the opportunity for an additional $5 million annually in implementation subgrants over four years, 2025 through 2029, to support Iowa school districts and public charter schools in strengthening literacy programs for students from birth through grade 12.

Goals of the IA-CLSD Grant

Iowa 501(c)(3) organizations, schools, and public libraries with established literacy programs can seek funding for reading, ESL, or Braille-related projects. Focused on literacy, the Potash Family Foundation invites successful programs serving communities with high poverty or low reading scores to apply for up to US $10,000, with grants renewable for up to three years.

Nonprofit organizations focused on K–12 literacy, mentoring, or tutoring in Iowa can seek funding for education programs that advance economic mobility. TruStage Foundation provides Iowa literacy groups with grants and sponsorships, prioritizing communities like the Cedar Valley area while also supporting broader efforts to reduce racial and socioeconomic disparities.

Iowa literacy nonprofits and other 501(c)(3) organizations serving local communities can seek project, operating, or capital support for programs improving quality of life. Iowa literacy organizations can access funding through O'Reilly Automotive Foundation to advance literacy, workforce readiness, economic stability, health and social services, and disaster relief in areas where O’Reilly Auto Parts operates.

The Read Across America State Affiliate Event Grant supports NEA state affiliates in enhancing coordinated events that celebrate diverse reading. This grant encourages proposals aimed at providing students with access to diverse books, addressing challenges such as curriculum bans. Activities may include guest readings, establishing diverse book clubs, and promoting literacy through community engagement. Applications are open only to state affiliates, with a strong emphasis on year-round reading awareness.

The Reading is Fundamental Matching Grant - Books for Ownership program supports local literacy initiatives by providing funding for diverse books and literacy resources. Established in 1966, RIF aims to foster a culture of literacy among children in under-resourced communities. Eligible organizations can apply for funding to double their impact through matched funds, ensuring children have access to high-quality books that reflect their experiences and broaden their perspectives.

The Reading is Fundamental Matching Grant for Read for Success empowers local organizations to enhance literacy by providing matching funds for books and resources. Since 1966, RIF has partnered with communities to foster a culture of reading among children in need, offering diverse books that reflect their lives. This grant matches local investments dollar-for-dollar, maximizing the impact of funding for educational programs. Eligible applicants include schools and youth-serving organizations across the U.S., supporting children from birth through grade 12.

Adult and teen literacy education programs in Iowa can receive US $500 - US $2,000 in New Readers Press books and materials to support direct instruction and staff or volunteer training. Grants from ProLiteracy help organizations offering basic literacy, ESOL, high school equivalency, math, or family literacy, with priority for nonprofits serving students at no charge.

Nonprofit organizations and qualifying public or governmental entities running literacy, education, or community programs that serve Iowa as part of U.S.-wide efforts may be eligible for Amgen Foundation’s non-healthcare donations and sponsorships. Grants from Amgen Foundation help organizations focused on humanitarian, social, education, and community initiatives, including literacy and related services, that are not part of the U.S. healthcare community.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, schools, churches, hospitals, and government agencies in Iowa communities can apply for the Fort Dodge Community Foundation’s County Endowment Funding Grant to support charitable projects improving quality of life. Programs in youth reading, literacy, education, and lifelong learning in eligible Northwest-Central Iowa counties may be especially competitive.

Iowa 501(c)(3) nonprofits, schools, and municipalities serving Clayton County residents can access funding through the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque for projects up to US $2,000. Grants prioritize youth enrichment and support literacy, education, human services, community development, arts and culture, and related programs that benefit underserved or chronically disadvantaged populations.

The National Leadership Grants for Libraries (NLG-L) program, funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, aims to enhance library services across the nation. By supporting projects that promote adult reading, health and financial literacy, and effective use of new technologies, this initiative fosters community prosperity and builds partnerships among libraries, archives, and museums. The grants ensure that libraries can respond effectively to public needs and enhance their contributions to education and information access.

The Richard L and Freda K Flerlage Foundation

Our Mission

Working to empower underserved populations through small grants in support of literacy, healthcare, reduction of poverty, and the promotion of social and environmental justice.

We are a small family foundation, when possible we aim to support organizations with relatively small operating funds where our small grants will have their greatest possible impact.

Our average grant is $3,800.

About Us

Who We Are

We unite people, ideas, and resources to transform lives across Story County, working toward our vision of a connected and thriving community.

Making a Difference since 1953

Since 1953, United Way of Story County (UWSC) has been a trusted leader and convener, mobilizing our community to create lasting change. We believe transformation happens when neighbors, businesses, nonprofits, and volunteers unite around shared goals.

A connected and thriving Story County.

Unite people, ideas, and resources to transform lives in Story County.

Investing in You

We provide grants to local nonprofits that are dedicated to serving Story County in our focus areas of health, education, and financial security. These grants aim to empower organizations that are making a difference in our community, helping them to enhance their programs and reach more individuals in need.

Community Impact Grants

These grants support unanticipated, emerging, or other distinct under-funded needs that further the mission of UWSC.

Public libraries and youth-serving nonprofit organizations in Iowa can receive up to US $10,000 for literacy-based programs that directly support program delivery. With a mission to advance literacy, Pizza Hut Foundation provides funding twice a year to eligible organizations within 15 miles of a Pizza Hut in the U.S., Guam, or D.C.

Nonprofit organizations working on literacy and related issues in Iowa can apply for the Golden Goldman Fund, which offers US $2,000 - US $20,000 for high-impact projects. Administered by Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies, this funding favors fiscally viable organizations that reach underserved individuals and propose new or innovative programs rather than ongoing operations.

Legally blind students pursuing full-time or qualifying part-time post-secondary degrees in the U.S., including Iowa residents, can receive $10,000 merit-based support through this scholarship. With a mission to empower blind people, the National Federation of the Blind provides awards based on academic excellence, community service, and leadership, with finalists attending the national convention.

Literary Arts Fund

Grants Overview

The Literary Arts Fund will award at least $50 million in grants to the nonprofit literary arts field over the next five years, concluding in 2031.

With a short timeline, the fund’s grantmaking has a strategic focus on the areas of the literary arts ecosystem where it determined it could have the greatest impact— that is: supporting independent U.S.-based literary arts nonprofits whose primary mission is directly serving adult writers of creative nonfiction, fiction, poetry, and hybrid works in making their artistic work and sharing it with readers outside of school and academic settings. Please review the fund’s full eligibility requirements to learn more.

Innovation project grants provide funding to literary arts nonprofits for projects that may be collaborative and that aim to address critical challenges in one or more literary arts nonprofit organizations, presses, or publications that, if improved, would directly benefit creative writers’ artistic work and ability to share it with readers and audiences. These grants are disbursed to nonprofits in a single payment and intended for use during the project period.

The Justamere Foundation focuses on removing barriers to self-sufficiency by supporting innovative community programs. They prioritize four key areas: trade education, veterans resources, childhood literacy, and arts education. By providing grants and non-traditional scholarships, the foundation aims to empower individuals and create lasting change. Their mission is to connect underserved communities with essential resources, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.

Justamere Foundation

Our goal is to remove barriers that are keeping hard working people from being fully self-sufficient. We support programs that are addressing these obstacles, big and small, in a way that opens a path to self-reliance.

The Justamere Foundation is dedicated to working with our community partners to find innovative ways to help our neighbors through education, coaching, and connections.

Small solutions can result in enormous change. The Justamere Foundation’s mission is to find those needs and connect them to the right resources to make the biggest impact.

Areas of Need We Support

The Justamere Foundation’s mission is to find those areas that are underserved by traditional resources and see if we can make a bigger difference with direct involvement. Solutions might involve grants, non-traditional scholarships or simply making the right connection.

We focus on four main areas of need in our community:

• Trade Education: Individuals working towards obtaining a family-sustaining income encounter many small barriers that can impede their progress. We’ve partnered with local community colleges and organizations that work to eliminate the barriers.
• Veterans Resources: Veterans entering the civilian workforce can struggle to find the right fit. We’re working with organizations to support veterans with this process.
• Childhood Literacy: Reading is essential. Fostering a love of reading and learning opens so many doors as children grow up. We support organizations with programs that focus on education and literacy resources for children in underserved areas.
• Arts Education: Arts programs inspire and help children express themselves. We support summer and after-school programs in music, art, and theatre.

How do we support these areas?

• Non-Traditional Scholarships
• Grants that make a real impact

Non-Traditional Scholarships

There are many traditional Scholarship and Financial Aid resources for high school kids going on to college. This is great but it leaves a whole lot of people out of the solution. Kids who couldn’t go directly to college or didn’t finish highschool – Adults who are in a job that cannot effectively support their family and want to make a change – or anyone simply looking for a better life. The resources available to them are limited. We want to work with organizations that are addressing those challenges and see if there’s a connection to be made, an existing program to utilize or even a new program to be developed.