Best Literacy Grants for Nonprofits in Rhode Island

Nonprofits, schools, colleges, and public libraries in Rhode Island that provide adult literacy services can apply for up to US $10,000 to support instruction. Focused on adult basic education, GED or high school equivalency preparation, and English language acquisition, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation supports organizations within 15 miles of its stores.

Textron Charitable Trust provides Rhode Island literacy and education nonprofits, 501(c)(3) charities, and K–12 schools with funding for workforce development, education, and community programs. Eligible projects include literacy and ESL instruction, youth enrichment and mentoring, after-school programs, scholarships, and broader community revitalization, arts, health, and human services efforts where Textron has a business presence.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Rhode Island with at least a $100,000 budget and three years of operations can seek funding for literacy and related skill-building programs that prepare people for work and thriving futures. RBC Foundation USA supports efforts such as job-specific language learning, credential-building, and youth development in communities where it has a business presence.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charities in Rhode Island serving low-to-moderate income residents with literacy, education, or youth development programs can seek US $2,500 - US $10,000 for program support. With a mission to strengthen communities, Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation prioritizes initiatives like literacy, financial education, tutoring, mentoring, and adult or ESOL education that expand opportunity.

Rhode Island K-12 public schools with existing libraries that suffered significant library damage from recent disasters can seek relief funding to rebuild collections and equipment. Rhode Island literacy organizations in eligible school communities may benefit from the Beyond Words program, offered by Dollar General Literacy Foundation, if they are within 15 miles of a Dollar General store or distribution center.

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

Grants support Rhode Island nonprofits, public libraries, and schools in creating or expanding summer reading programs for Pre-K–12 students, including new, below-grade-level, or learning-disabled readers. Grants from Dollar General Literacy Foundation offer up to US $3,000 for programs within 15 miles of a Dollar General store in eligible states, including Rhode Island.

Schools, public libraries, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits supporting K–12 students struggling with reading can apply for up to US $5,000 to enhance youth literacy programs. The Dollar General Literacy Foundation supports literacy initiatives in Rhode Island and other eligible states, including new or expanded programs, technology, and books or materials, within 20 miles of a Dollar General store.

The National Digital Newspaper Program (NDNP) invites applications to digitize historically significant newspapers published between 1690 and 1963 across the U.S. This initiative by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Library of Congress aims to create a comprehensive online database accessible to the public. Successful applicants will convert approximately 100,000 pages into digital format over two years, following specific technical guidelines. This program enhances access to vital historical resources for research and education.

Rhode Island adult literacy and basic education programs using digital tools for instruction can access funding through ProLiteracy’s Mobile Learning Fund. Eligible U.S. and Canadian programs receive subscriptions and licenses for online platforms supporting reading, English, math, digital literacy, and test preparation. Applicants must implement solutions quickly, ensure regular learner use, and share progress data.

School districts, libraries, and youth-serving nonprofits in Rhode Island can use this matching grant to implement Read for Success literacy programs that provide diverse books, read-alouds, and family engagement activities. Reading Is Fundamental matches local funds 1:1, supplying program materials to build home libraries and improve reading outcomes for children from birth through grade 12.

Rhode Island educational institutions and youth-serving organizations that provide literacy and youth services can access funding through Reading Is Fundamental to supply free take-home books to children they serve. Eligible U.S. schools, districts, libraries, and community groups receive a matching book award, redeemable in RIF’s online bookstore, to build home libraries and promote reading engagement.

State-level education affiliates in Rhode Island can apply for National Education Association Staff Organization’s Read Across America State Affiliate Event Grant, with awards up to US $7,500 for literacy events centered on diverse books and K-12 readers. Funding can support author visits, diverse book giveaways, little free libraries, and year-round reading activities.

Rhode Island literacy nonprofits can access funding through O'Reilly Automotive Foundation for programs that improve literacy and workforce readiness, especially for underserved people. U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations near O’Reilly Auto Parts locations may request project, general operating, or capital support for initiatives that also advance economic stability, poverty alleviation, or related community services.

Nonprofit organizations working on K–12 literacy, mentoring, and tutoring in Rhode Island can apply for funding to advance economic mobility through education. TruStage Foundation provides Rhode Island literacy programs with grants and sponsorships, with overall priorities centered on reducing racial and socioeconomic disparities and supporting education and housing initiatives nationwide.

Focused on literacy, the Steve and Loree Potash Family Foundation invites Rhode Island 501(c)(3) organizations, schools, and public libraries with established reading programs to apply for funding. Grants up to US $10,000 support existing, proven literacy initiatives, including adult literacy, ESOL, and Braille-related projects, with priority for communities facing low reading scores and high poverty.

Adult and teen literacy programs in Rhode Island can receive US $500 - US $2,000 in New Readers Press books and materials to support instruction and family literacy initiatives. Grants from ProLiteracy help organizations offering basic education, ESOL, high school equivalency, math, or family literacy that use materials directly with learners or literacy staff.

Nonprofit organizations and qualifying public or governmental entities supporting literacy, education, and community programs in Rhode Island may be eligible for grants that fund charitable programs and fundraising events. Grants from Amgen Foundation help Rhode Island literacy and education nonprofits, as well as groups serving broader humanitarian and social needs, with non-healthcare donations and sponsorships.

Tax-exempt 501(c)(3) and 509(a) organizations working on literacy, special needs, or other educational and human services programs, including those serving Rhode Island, can seek support for operating, project, or occasional capital needs. McGraw Foundation provides US $2,000 - US $10,000 grants nationally, with occasional larger awards for especially promising, high-impact efforts.

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

What is the Pizza Hut Foundation?

In pursuit of happiness, the Pizza Hut Franchisee community, in partnership with Pizza Hut U.S. is proud to announce the formation of the Pizza Hut Foundation.

Our foundation is seeking to touch the lives of over 100 youth annually by partnering with youth-serving nonprofit organizations focusing on literacy education programs to enable our team members and their peers to be career and life ready.

Pizza Hut Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization under the Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.

About the Slice of Literacy Grant

The bi-annual grant opportunity awards up to $10,000 to public libraries and non-profit organizations that are actively working to improve literacy initiatives in Pizza Hut communities.

The grants are made possible by the generosity of our customers purchase of the BOOK IT! Bundle menu item!

Our Mission

Empower donors to fulfill their passions and dreams by establishing charitable vehicles designed to create a positive and enduring impact on Jewish Buffalo, Western New York and the World.

Golden Goldman Fund

The Golden Goldman Philanthropic Fund’s mission is to maximize local impact in support of: Women’s issues including reproduction and choice; Arts and Culture; Literacy; Reducing Income Inequality; and Judaism.

Funding will be awarded based on your proposal's potential impact. We will be looking at the applying organizations' fiscal viability and their ability to reach out to underserved individuals as part of our evaluation process. We do not usually provide funding for ongoing, existing programs.

About Us

Who We Are

The National Federation of the Blind is the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind Americans. Founded in 1940 and currently headquartered in Baltimore, the NFB consists of affiliates, chapters, and divisions in all fifty states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico.

What We Do

Through our network of blind members, we coordinate many programs, services, and resources to defend the rights of blind Americans, provide information and support to blind children and adults, and build a community that creates a future full of opportunities.

What We Believe

We are the only organization that believes in the full capacity of blind people and has the power to transform our dreams into reality. We believe in blind people because we are blind people—from our democratically elected leaders to our diverse nationwide membership.

Scholarship Program

Thanks to our generous partners, there are thirty $10,000 merit-based scholarships currently available. All scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic excellence, community service, and leadership. The finalists are announced every spring. They then attend our national convention in July when the winners of each individual scholarship are selected. 

The American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults Scholarship

For more than 100 years the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults has strived to improve the lives of blind and Deafblind children and adults. Best known for annually producing and gifting Braille Calendars, sponsoring the free Braille books for blind children program, and administering the Braille Readers are Leaders contest, the American Action Fund leads in promoting Braille literacy. The American Action Fund is proud to award this scholarship to a deserving and talented blind person. 

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.

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.