Best Reading Grants for Nonprofits in Pennsylvania

Nonprofit digital news organizations providing free, independent local journalism can receive business-capacity funding and coaching to grow sustainably. American Journalism Project provides U.S. news media and communications nonprofits with venture-style support to expand revenue, operations, and service to local communities, including those in Reading, Pennsylvania, with a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, fiscally sponsored groups, and university departments in Reading, Pennsylvania can seek funding for exhibitions, convenings, academic research, and exhibition catalogs tied to specific art collection areas. Focused on art and art history, the Carl and Marilynn Thoma Foundation particularly welcomes innovative projects and ideas that deepen scholarship and public engagement.

Reading, Pennsylvania 501(c)(3) nonprofits and libraries focused on literacy and library services can access funding through the National Home Library Foundation; awards range from US $500 - US $5,000. Grants support distributing books and reading materials and developing programs that combat illiteracy and encourage reading and literary arts for all ages in the U.S.

Nonprofit organizations supporting early childhood development and preschool readiness can receive free On My Way to Kindergarten kits, including bilingual resources, from The Molina Foundation for use in Reading, Pennsylvania and across the U.S. Focused on school readiness, this program equips families and caregivers with hands-on activities, songs, and stories to prepare children ages 3–5 for kindergarten.

Reading, Pennsylvania 501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on early childhood education or community economic development can access funding through PNC Foundation to strengthen low- and moderate-income families and neighborhoods. Eligible projects include early learning programs, educator development, family engagement, affordable housing support, small business assistance, community services, arts enrichment, and neighborhood revitalization in communities where PNC has a significant presence.

Nonprofit colleges and universities in the U.S., including those serving Reading, Pennsylvania, can apply for American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund Undergraduate New Investigator grants, awarding US $55,000 over 2 years for fundamental petroleum or fossil fuel research. Eligible PIs are early-career assistant professors in non-doctoral departments engaging undergraduate researchers.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations improving health equity and well-being can access funding through Ronald W Naito Md Foundation, including those in Reading, Pennsylvania. Grants of US $10,000 - US $40,000 support work such as health care access, policy advocacy, environmental health, nutrition, trauma support, and combating health-related misinformation, with flexibility for both frontline services and systemic change efforts.

Nonprofit organizations supporting youth empowerment, education, wellness, hunger relief, or hope-building programs, including those serving Reading, Pennsylvania, may be eligible for funding to strengthen services for underprivileged children. Dale Jr Foundation supports U.S. charities focused on kids, schools, and vulnerable youth through grants that enhance confidence, educational access, child health, food security, and social-emotional development.

Nonprofit organizations supporting underprivileged youth with empowerment, education, wellness, hunger relief, or hope-focused programs can apply for in-kind donations from the Dale Jr Foundation. Reading, Pennsylvania 501(c)(3)s hosting auctions or raffles may be eligible for items to help raise funds, provided their work aligns with the foundation’s mission for children in need.

Students enrolled at accredited U.S. degree-granting institutions who want intensive critical language education can apply for the Critical Language Scholarship, which covers program costs abroad. Reading, Pennsylvania nonprofits that support local college or graduate students pursuing higher education or language study may help eligible individuals connect with this Northeastern University–supported opportunity.

501(c)(3) nonprofits and public entities providing or supporting legal services, including those in Reading, Pennsylvania, can seek US $10,000 - US $30,000 for innovative, replicable programs and sector support. With a mission to strengthen legal aid as a safety net, Bigglesworth Family Foundation funds pilots, hubs, advocacy, and recruitment and retention initiatives, primarily for work in California or qualifying national efforts.

Nonprofit arts organizations and individual artists creating theater or media arts projects can receive up to US $3,500 to support video/film, theater, performance art, or related work. Puffin Foundation supports U.S.-based citizens, permanent residents, and DACA recipients, and projects from Reading, Pennsylvania may be eligible if they meet these criteria.

Unpublished, diverse children’s writers and illustrators in the U.S., including refugees living in the States, can receive US $2,000 to develop their craft and pursue traditional publication. With a mission to improve literacy through diverse books, We Need Diverse Books offers the Walter Dean Myers Grant, which may benefit creators connected to Reading, Pennsylvania nonprofits.

U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits working to strengthen nonprofit and philanthropic infrastructure, including those serving Reading, Pennsylvania, can seek US $50,000 - US $100,000 for capacity-building projects. Vanguard Charitable supports initiatives with broad reach in areas like integrating AI, educating donors, and improving the narrative around the nonprofit sector, especially national or multi-chapter organizations.

The NEA Big Read Grant, managed by Arts Midwest, aims to foster community engagement through shared reading experiences. This initiative funds nonprofit organizations to host diverse reading programs, encouraging cross-cultural understanding and creativity. With grants ranging from $5,000 to $20,000, organizations can conduct book discussions, workshops, and creative events to strengthen community ties and promote civic engagement. The program highlights local voices and invites participation from various audiences, creating a vibrant literary culture.

Organizations serving residents of the Governor Mifflin School District in Reading, Pennsylvania can apply for Berks County Community Foundation’s Russell L. Hiller Charitable Trust grants to support local programs. The fund also awards $5,000 scholarships to Governor Mifflin High School seniors pursuing college who demonstrate achievement and financial need.

Nonprofit organizations, schools, colleges, and public libraries offering family literacy services in Reading, Pennsylvania can apply for funding to support adult education, children’s education, and parent-child literacy time. The Dollar General Literacy Foundation provides grants up to US $10,000 for programs within 15 miles of a Dollar General store that are listed in the National Literacy Directory.

Nonprofit organizations, public libraries, and schools offering youth literacy and summer reading programs in Reading, Pennsylvania may be eligible for up to US $3,000 to create or expand services for struggling readers. Grants from Dollar General Literacy Foundation support Pre-K–12 students who are new readers, below grade level, or have learning disabilities, within 15 miles of a Dollar General store.

Graduating high school seniors in Reading, Pennsylvania who are children of active, retired, or deceased city police officers or firefighters can receive scholarships for vocational-technical, two-year, or four-year postsecondary education. Berks County Community Foundation’s Battle of the Badges Scholarship Fund prefers applicants with a 3.0+ GPA and strong school and community citizenship.

Graduating high school seniors and current college students from Centerville or Washington Township, Ohio, can apply for the Elaine M. Hothem Memorial Scholarship, awarding up to US $1,500 for history, education, or library science studies. Individuals engaged in extracurriculars, community service, or employment may benefit, including those connected to Reading, Pennsylvania, with eligible students in these Ohio communities.

The Council of Independent Colleges

Founded in 1956, the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) is an association of nonprofit independent colleges and universities, state-based councils, and higher education affiliates that works to support college and university leadership, advance institutional excellence, and enhance public understanding of independent higher education’s contributions to society.

CIC is the major national organization that focuses on providing services to leaders of independent colleges and universities and state-based councils. CIC offers conferences, seminars, publications, and other programs and services that help institutions improve educational quality, administrative and financial performance, student outcomes, and institutional visibility.

NetVUE Vocation across the Academy Grants

​One major purpose of an undergraduate education in the liberal arts is to help students shape a philosophy of life. At the same time, undergraduates today are increasingly preoccupied with postgraduate employment. The purpose of this grant program is to help colleges and universities develop more effective ways to strengthen the link between these two purposes of undergraduate education. It is designed to support institutions in their efforts to expand vocational exploration and discernment programs across the curriculum and co-curricular programs, with the following goals:

• to help students develop more effective links between developing a philosophy of life and preparing for a career;
• to include more faculty and students in the work of vocational exploration and discernment; and, in some cases,
• to build connections with community partners, such as local businesses, nonprofits, and other community organizations.

Schools, public libraries, colleges, universities, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits supporting struggling K–12 readers can receive up to US $5,000 for youth literacy programs, materials, or technology. Grants from Dollar General Literacy Foundation help organizations within 20 miles of a Dollar General store, including those in Reading, Pennsylvania, strengthen reading support for below-grade-level students and English learners.

Nonprofit and public education providers offering adult basic education, literacy, and ESL services in Reading, Pennsylvania can apply for multi-year support to deliver full-service, year-round programs. Focused on adult and family literacy, workforce preparation, and transitions to diplomas, postsecondary education, and employment, the Pennsylvania Department of Education prioritizes high-quality, data-driven programs aligned with local workforce needs.

The Council of Independent Colleges

Founded in 1956, the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) is an association of nonprofit independent colleges and universities, state-based councils, and higher education affiliates that works to support college and university leadership, advance institutional excellence, and enhance public understanding of independent higher education’s contributions to society.

CIC is the major national organization that focuses on providing services to leaders of independent colleges and universities and state-based councils. CIC offers conferences, seminars, publications, and other programs and services that help institutions improve educational quality, administrative and financial performance, student outcomes, and institutional visibility.

NetVUE Grant Programs

NetVUE offers a variety of grants to member institutions, supporting programming for students and professional development for faculty members and staff. Grants support projects ranging from one to four years in length. Grant programs are tailored to differing circumstances among member institutions, including their particular areas of interest, their bandwidth and capacity for administering projects, and the depth of their previous engagement with vocational exploration and discernment. NetVUE grants are administered by the Council of Independent Colleges, with generous support from Lilly Endowment Inc.

NetVUE Professional Development Awards

Colleges and universities that are members of NetVUE are committed to campus activities that encourage vocational exploration by students. Many NetVUE campus leaders have observed, however, that supplemental funding at even modest levels to support opportunities for the professional development of staff and faculty members would enable their institutions to strengthen vocational exploration programming. In an era of careful institutional budgeting, institutional operating funds are not always available for such professional development opportunities. NetVUE Professional Development Awards seek to address this need.

NetVUE Professional Development Awards may be requested for use over one year for professional development activities that enhance the knowledge, skills, and expertise of faculty and staff members who play important roles in undergraduate vocational initiatives. The purpose of this grant is to develop campus conversations about vocation and to deepen the capacity of those who lead vocational exploration efforts at NetVUE member institutions. A special initiative within this grant, focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion, allows for proposals of up to $25,000.

Funds may be used for a range of purposes, but not to substitute for faculty and staff costs that the institution is presently providing for its vocational exploration activities. Grant funds could, for example, support reading groups, faculty/staff retreats, or bringing speakers to campus; funds may be used to provide materials, pay expenses for travel and/or meals, and offer modest stipends.

Nonprofit organizations serving people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, including those in Reading, Pennsylvania, can seek funding for projects advancing equity, accessibility, and inclusion. Focused on Duchenne community needs, Entrada Therapeutics invites eligible U.S., UK, and EU nonprofits to apply for US $50,000 to support efforts reaching underrepresented and underserved individuals.

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.