Best Literacy Grants for Nonprofits in Iowa

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Iowa that provide direct literacy services to students can receive operating support from the Literacy Opportunity Fund, funded by the Nora Roberts Foundation and administered by ProLiteracy. Grants up to US $6,000 can cover salaries, technology, supplies, space rental, or specific literacy projects, with awards made quarterly.

Nonprofit organizations supporting youth literacy, education, wellness, and basic needs can seek funding, including Iowa programs, to serve underprivileged children and teens. Dale Jr Foundation provides support for projects in areas like reading incentives, technology access, hunger relief, child abuse recovery, and children’s health across the U.S., as long as they fit its youth-focused mission.

Nonprofit and community organizations providing literacy and education programs in Iowa communities served by Alliant Energy can apply for Alliant Energy Foundation’s Community Grants to support libraries, bookmobiles, after-school and summer reading, adult literacy, and STEM education. Funding may also assist broader workforce readiness and youth development initiatives tied to these educational efforts.

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.

The Amy Clampitt Poet Residency Program, established by The Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, offers a six-month residency for poets at Amy Clampitt's former home in Lenox, Massachusetts. This program aims to foster the study and promotion of poetry, providing a peaceful retreat for a poet to focus on their craft. Selected poets receive a monthly stipend of $4,000 and are encouraged to make their creative work a priority during their stay.

The ENF Community Investments Program offers Gratitude Grants between $3,000 and $5,000 to Elks Lodges that have met the GER’s per-member-giving goal. These grants empower Lodges to enhance community service and foster local engagement, supporting initiatives that promote health, education, and welfare. The program exemplifies the Elks' commitment to charity and community improvement, showcasing their dedication to building stronger neighborhoods and helping those in need.

The ENF Community Investments Program offers Spotlight Grants to Lodges, empowering them to tackle pressing community issues such as family literacy, veteran homelessness, and hunger. Each Lodge can apply for a $2,000 grant without needing to meet the GER's per-member-giving goal. Funds can be used for one of the designated project plans or combined with the Beacon Grant, enabling flexible support for local initiatives.

The Robert Glenn Rapp Foundation, established in 1951 in Oklahoma, aims to support charitable organizations across the U.S., with a focus on education and local initiatives. Grants are awarded to qualified 501(C)(3) organizations, prioritizing projects that align with the foundation's mission in areas such as education, health, arts, and literacy. Interested applicants must submit a Letter of Inquiry before applying for funding, ensuring alignment with the foundation's priorities.