Best Library Grants in District of Columbia

District of Columbia Public Library, as the state library administrative agency, provides LSTA Grants to support library services and technology initiatives in the District of Columbia. Funding helps advance lifelong learning, employment and economic development, human services, civic engagement, information access, and institutional capacity in alignment with DCPL’s 2023–2027 LSTA plan.

Library and other eligible nonprofits in the District of Columbia can access funding through Corning Incorporated Community Impact & Investment Philanthropy to support community-based education, human services, culture, and library services programs. Invited organizations near Corning business locations may apply once per year during the rolling grant cycle, following the specified application windows.

K-12 public schools with existing libraries in District of Columbia communities near a Dollar General store that suffered significant library damage from a recent disaster can seek funding to rebuild collections and equipment. Grants from Dollar General Literacy Foundation help school libraries recover from natural disasters, fires, or federally recognized acts of terrorism.

Public libraries, K-12 schools, colleges, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in the District of Columbia can apply for Dollar General Literacy Foundation’s Youth Literacy Grants to support struggling K-12 readers. Funding up to US $5,000 may be used to implement or expand literacy programs, purchase technology or equipment, and buy books or software for library or school initiatives.

Certified public school librarians in the U.S. who have led local public awareness or marketing campaigns for their school libraries can receive US $1,000 travel support to attend the AASL National Conference. Grants from American Library Association help showcase “Strong School Libraries” campaigns through conference presentations and additional professional development opportunities, which may benefit District of Columbia library professionals.

Non-tenured faculty, dissertation-stage Ph.D. candidates, and independent scholars across the U.S., including the District of Columbia, can apply for Harvard University's Harvard-Yenching Library Travel Grant; awards US $2,000 for travel to use its East Asian collections. Priority goes to applicants at institutions with limited or no East Asian language library resources.

Rural public libraries rebuilding children’s collections after natural disasters can receive in-kind children’s books through this program, including libraries serving the District of Columbia region if they meet the rural criteria. Focused on library services, the Pilcrow Foundation’s Disaster Relief Grant provides US $800 in new, quality, hardcover children’s books without a local match requirement.

District of Columbia library organizations, associations, and information science programs can access funding through the American Library Association’s Carnegie-Whitney Grant to develop reading lists, webliographies, indexes, and other library resource guides. Awards up to US $5,000 support research and preparation costs for projects focused on American libraries with broad national appeal and distribution.

Librarians working with teens who need professional development support can receive US $1,000 to attend the ALA Annual Conference for the first time, including those based in the District of Columbia. The American Library Association’s Baker and Taylor YALSA Conference Grant funds one school librarian and one public library-focused librarian who are current ALA/YALSA members.

District of Columbia library professionals providing youth or teen services who identify as Black/African American can receive travel support to attend the ALA Annual Conference. Eligible public or school librarians may be selected by the American Library Association for awards up to US $3,000 covering travel, housing, registration, and Coretta Scott King Awards Breakfast tickets.

Rural and small library staff in the U.S., including those in District of Columbia, can receive US $300 to deliver trustworthy health information training in their communities. Focused on community health education and library services, the National Network of Libraries of Medicine invites NNLM member organizations with CHIS Level 1 or 2 staff to apply.

Library, archive, and information science organizations in the District of Columbia can apply for the Institute of Museum and Library Services’ planning grants, awarding US $75,000 - US $200,000 for workforce development projects. Funding supports exploratory planning to train, recruit, educate, and retain library and archives professionals and strengthen institutional capacity across the U.S. and territories.

Library, archive, and library science organizations in the District of Columbia can seek US $75,000 - US $200,000 to convene forums that strengthen the library and archival workforce. The Institute of Museum and Library Services’ Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program funds expert convenings, reports, and other deliverables with national, far-reaching impact.

Libraries, archives, and library science programs in the District of Columbia can apply for US $25,000 - US $100,000 to recruit, educate, train, and retain library and archival professionals. Grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services support adapting proven models and sharing tools and lessons with library communities nationwide.

Libraries, archives, and library and information science graduate programs in the U.S., including the District of Columbia, can apply for Institute of Museum and Library Services’ Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian National Implementation grants, awarding US $75,000 - US $1,000,000. Funding supports recruitment, education, training, and retention of current and future library and archives professionals through adaptable, scalable tools and resources.

Untenured, tenure-track library and information science faculty conducting early-career research on library and archival workforce development can apply for US $75,000 - US $750,000 to support 1–3 year projects. The Institute of Museum and Library Services supports library services and archives research nationwide, so District of Columbia library-focused researchers may be eligible.

U.S. libraries, archives, and library and information science programs conducting applied research on workforce development can apply for Institute of Museum and Library Services support, including organizations in the District of Columbia. This grant offers US $75,000 - US $750,000 for 1–3 year projects investigating key practice questions and widely disseminating findings.

Eligible U.S. institutions with strong health sciences library connections can apply for up to US $600,000 to serve as Regional Medical Libraries, supporting biomedical information access, training, and literacy. Grants from the National Institutes of Health help District of Columbia library and information organizations that can lead NNLM partnerships, outreach, and professional development efforts.

Libraries, information centers, and related organizations in the District of Columbia seeking to deliver health and biomedical information training can apply for funding from the National Institutes of Health. Grants from NIH help support an NNLM Network Training Center to develop curricula, materials, and synchronous and asynchronous training for diverse audiences. Awards are up to US $750,000.

Eligible U.S. organizations with strong library, health information, or data networks in the District of Columbia can apply for National Institutes of Health funding up to US $1,500,000 to run the Network of the National Library of Medicine Coordinating Center. Awards support nationwide coordination, evaluation, communication, and training systems that enhance access to NIH and NLM health information resources.

In collaboration with Cummins Inc., the American Library Association (ALA) invites applications from U.S. public libraries to participate in A Year of STEM, 12 months of curated STEM programming to foster curiosity and STEM-mindedness in early childhood learners across the country. 

Twenty-five libraries will be chosen to participate in A Year of STEM, receiving professional development to prepare them for the project, copies of a newly created A Year of STEM programming guide developed by librarian advisors, a $5,000 programming stipend, four STEM kits (to be delivered quarterly), and support from ALA’s Public Programs Office staff throughout the project implementation period.

The Gladys Brooks Foundation supports innovative projects in libraries, education, hospitals, and clinics. Grants focus on resource endowments, capital construction, and equipment aimed at improving public access to information and educational resources. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations located in specific states and demonstrate that projects will be funded primarily by the grant. Applications for direct salary support or research projects are not accepted.

The John Ben Snow Memorial Trust Grant supports educational programs and initiatives that assist individuals demonstrating financial need. Founded in 1975, it prioritizes funding for organizations that enhance educational opportunities, arts, culture, and community initiatives, particularly for youth and disadvantaged populations. The Trust encourages proposals from 501(c)(3) organizations, with grants typically ranging from $10,000 to $20,000. It also considers limited proposals in disabilities, environmental protection, and historic preservation, focusing on educational impact.

The National Home Library Foundation Grant supports nonprofits in distributing books and reading materials to libraries and community groups with limited resources. This initiative aims to promote literacy and combat illiteracy among all ages through various programs. Grants are available only to tax-exempt organizations that adhere to non-discrimination policies. Preference is given to requests from the Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia areas, with applications considered on a rolling basis.

The Lend A Hand Society offers the Book Mission Grant to assist low-income individuals and families by funding the acquisition of books for educational institutions and libraries. This initiative supports various programs focused on emergency assistance and camperships for children. Non-profit organizations across the United States can apply, with grants aimed at enhancing literacy and education. Grantees must provide reports detailing the use of funds and project progress, ensuring transparency and accountability.

The Charles H. Revson Foundation's Education Grant Program promotes equitable access to knowledge and resources, supporting innovative projects in public libraries, community news publications, and the education of discerning news consumers. This program aims to empower students and strengthen community engagement through education. Eligible applicants are registered nonprofits in the U.S., while individuals and certain project types, such as film or biomedical research, are ineligible for funding.

The Pilcrow Foundation offers matching grants to rural public libraries for acquiring new, quality children's books. Libraries can receive up to $1,200 in funding by contributing $200-$400 through local sponsorships. Eligible libraries include independent rural and Native American Tribal libraries, with a focus on those serving communities with populations under 10,000. The initiative supports libraries in rural areas of the U.S. to enhance their children's book collections and promote literacy.