Best Reading Grants for Nonprofits in Pennsylvania

The American Journalism Project is dedicated to enhancing local news organizations by investing in their business capacities and providing personalized coaching. They prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion, encouraging inquiries from organizations serving underrepresented communities. Their approach offers tailored support based on grantees' strategic challenges, fostering sustainable growth in revenue and programming. They seek grantees with strong public-service missions, independent 501(c)(3) status, and a commitment to transparency and accountability in their operations.

The Book Buddies Program, initiated by The Molina Foundation, aims to combat the lack of access to books in low-income communities. By distributing new, free books to eligible schools and agencies, the program fosters literacy and learning among children. With over 4 million books distributed, it helps create word-rich environments essential for educational success. This initiative supports families in building home libraries and enhances learning spaces, ensuring children have the resources they need to thrive.

The Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation offers Collections-Related Grants for Nonprofits, aimed at enhancing public interest in art through innovative projects. Grants support exhibitions, academic convenings, research, and catalog publication, focusing on art from the Spanish Americas, digital media, and more. The foundation prioritizes proposals from 501(c)(3) organizations in the U.S., particularly from New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas, fostering partnerships that advance art scholarship and cultural engagement.

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 On My Way to Kindergarten Program offers essential resources to prepare children aged 3-5 for kindergarten. Developed with input from educators, it includes a bilingual activity book and online access to games, songs, and crafts in both Spanish and English. Funded by The Larry and Helen Hoag Foundation, this initiative aims to empower at-risk children and their families, ensuring they have the tools needed for a successful transition into school.

The PNC Foundation aims to enhance the lives of individuals in local communities through partnerships with nonprofit organizations. Their focus includes promoting educational opportunities, particularly for early childhood education, and supporting economic development initiatives. Grants are available for organizations that benefit low- to moderate-income families and enhance community growth. The foundation prioritizes programs that foster sustainability and diversity, ensuring a lasting impact on the communities they serve.

Who We Are

We Need Diverse Books is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that takes a holistic approach in improving literacy and building compassion by affecting change across the entire reading pipeline — turning diverse manuscripts into published books and then donating diverse titles to readers nationwide.

Emergency Grants

WNDB provides emergency grants to diverse authors and illustrators, publishing workers, and educators who are experiencing dire financial need, whether due to loss of employment, natural disasters, medical emergencies, and more.

We aim to bolster the communities we serve by giving grants between $250 and $1,000 each. Since 2020, WNDB has provided more than 160 of these grants.

The Russell L. Hiller Charitable Trust Grant, managed by the Berks County Community Foundation, provides five scholarships of $5,000 each to graduating seniors of Governor Mifflin High School. Established in 2003 in memory of Judge Russell L. Hiller, this fund not only supports educational advancement for deserving students but also offers grants for local community programs. Applications are accepted from January 1 to March 1 for scholarships, with additional grant opportunities available throughout the year.

Grants Overview

The Ronald W. Naito MD Foundation supports local, national, and international initiatives in the following categories: climate, health equity, and sustainable communities. We also support Oregon-based arts and cultural* organizations. There is clear overlap between our funding priorities: we embrace that intersectionality and understand that organizations often work across multiple priorities.

We offer unrestricted grants, mostly ranging from $10,000-$40,000. We occasionally fund smaller and larger requests, and we are moving toward more multi-year grants. We try to keep a balance between organizations providing frontline services and organizations working to create and advocate for systemic solutions.

For our nonprofit partners, we try to keep our application and reporting forms straightforward: we don’t want you to be distracted from fulfilling your mission by complicated forms.

Within the capacity of our staff of one, we value partnership and contact: we welcome you to reach out to us with ideas, questions, suggestions, and opportunities. We hope to have the chance to meet with you and thank you for your work.

Current Funding Trends

Before you apply, please read about our funding trends and grant eligibility below, as well as our pages for relevant funding priorities:

ClimateHealth EquitySustainable CommunitiesOregon Arts & Culture

Funding Area: Health Equity

Our founder Dr. Ron Naito devoted his career to treating the whole patient. Accordingly, we embrace the World Health Organization’s definition of health: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

We see significant intersection between this funding priority and our other priorities – all connected by healing. For our health equity funding area, we seek applications from organizations or initiatives that work to improve health outcomes, decrease health inequities, and increase individual and social well-being.

This includes (but isn’t limited to) organizations that:

• Increase historically marginalized communities’ access to sustained health care either internationally or domestically, including both frontline service providers and initiatives that advocate for policy or market reforms.
• Focus on lasting health outcomes, such as eyesight restoration, disability supports, reproductive justice, and other health interventions that impact individuals’ long-term health and capacity to thrive.
• Increase equitable, sustainable access to healthy foods, including sustained nutritional interventions, nutritional policy, and food sovereignty and systems initiatives.
• Improve health outcomes through clean air, water, hygiene, and anti-toxin/-pollutant advocacy, policy, and frontlines interventions.
• Provide ongoing support and empowerment to people experiencing violence, displacement, poverty, and other traumas.
• Combat misinformation contributing to adverse health outcomes.
• Diversify participation in health research, policy, and medical care to advance more equitable health outcomes.

The ASEEES First Book Subvention Program, established by the Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies (ASEEES), provides financial support up to $2500 for first-time authors' book projects. This initiative encourages scholarly contributions in Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies by covering costs such as editing, design, and printing. Applications are accepted from publishers, emphasizing the importance of peer-reviewed manuscripts that are nearing publication.

The Petroleum Research Fund offers Undergraduate New Investigator Grants to support emerging scientists in petroleum-related research. With an award of $55,000 over two years, these grants aim to provide seed funding for projects that have not received prior financial backing. This initiative fosters innovative research and encourages the involvement of undergraduate students in high-quality scientific education, thus contributing to the advancement of knowledge in the petroleum field.

The Dale Jr. Foundation, founded by NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., has raised over $8 million since 2007 to support various charities focusing on youth and underprivileged communities. The foundation emphasizes empowerment, education, wellness, hunger relief, and hope, aiming to provide resources that enhance confidence and opportunities for children facing hardships. Through fundraising efforts and partnerships with organizations like Make-A-Wish, the foundation strives to positively impact lives and foster a sense of normalcy among children in need.

The Dale Jr. Foundation is dedicated to empowering underprivileged youth through targeted support in five key areas: Empowerment, Education, Wellness, Hunger, and Hope. By providing safe homes, educational resources, and healthy food, the foundation helps children overcome adversity and achieve their dreams. Their commitment extends to various charities, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive. The foundation emphasizes community support and holistic care, making a significant impact in the lives of many young people.

The Walter Dean Myers Grant Program, established by We Need Diverse Books, offers $2,000 grants to promising unpublished diverse writers and illustrators. Aimed at enhancing their craft and supporting traditional publication pursuits, this initiative has awarded over 70 grants since 2015, resulting in nearly 60 published books and numerous literary accolades. Applicants must identify as diverse and be U.S. residents, working towards a career in children's literature.

The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, offers U.S. students the opportunity to immerse themselves in language and culture in countries where critical languages are spoken. Participants gain comprehensive support for travel, instruction, and cultural activities. The program seeks motivated individuals from diverse backgrounds, encouraging commitment to language learning and future application of these skills. Eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old, and enrolled in a degree program.

The Puffin Foundation's Annual Artist Grant Program, focused on odd years, supports individual artists and non-profit organizations in the genres of video/film and theater. Grants, typically around $1,750, aim to uplift marginalized voices in the arts. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents with an SSN. The program excludes proposals in other disciplines and projects involving AI. This initiative prioritizes diverse artistic expression and aims to maximize funding impact for those with limited financial resources.

The Bigglesworth Family Foundation's Legal Services Program supports innovative projects aimed at enhancing legal aid effectiveness. Originating post-2008 financial crisis, this initiative helps non-profits combat poverty through legal assistance, targeting both individual organizations and the broader sector. Grants include I&R projects for testing new models and sector support for organizations providing technical assistance. Eligibility is primarily for 501(c)(3) nonprofits and public entities, with specific limitations on budget sizes and project types.

The Philanthropic Impact Fund (PIF) by Vanguard Charitable aims to strengthen nonprofit organizations and philanthropic infrastructure. It focuses on integrating AI, educating donors, and enhancing the narrative around the nonprofit sector. Grants typically range from $50,000 to $100,000, with larger requests considered. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) registered nonprofits to apply. This funding is a strategic investment in resilience and sustainability, addressing critical needs in the sector.

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation offers Adult Literacy Grants to support organizations providing essential literacy services to adults. Grants of up to $10,000 are available for programs in Adult Basic Education, GED preparation, and English language acquisition. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations, schools, and libraries located within 15 miles of a Dollar General store. The foundation aims to enhance educational opportunities and foster personal growth through literacy.

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation offers Family Literacy Grants to nonprofit organizations that support family literacy initiatives. Eligible applicants must provide services such as adult education, children's education, and parent-child engagement activities. Organizations must be located within 15 miles of a Dollar General store and have a valid IRS tax ID. This funding aims to enhance literacy skills for families, empowering individuals to achieve their educational goals.

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation offers the DGLF Summer Reading Grants, which support the development and expansion of summer reading programs aimed at Pre-K to 12th grade students, particularly new and below-grade-level readers, including those with learning disabilities. Eligible organizations, such as nonprofits, schools, and libraries within 15 miles of a Dollar General store, can apply for grants up to $3,000 to foster literacy and education initiatives.

The Battle of the Badges Scholarship Fund, established in 2007 by the Berks County Community Foundation, provides scholarships for high school seniors who are children of active or retired police officers and firefighters in Reading. Eligible applicants must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher and plan to pursue education at vocational schools or colleges. This fund aims to support the educational aspirations of deserving students while honoring the service of local first responders.

The Elaine M. Hothem Memorial Scholarship, established by friends and family in 2023, honors the legacy of Elaine Hothem, a passionate advocate for education and literature. Administered by The Dayton Foundation, this scholarship supports graduating high school seniors and current college students from Centerville or Washington Township, Ohio, who plan to major in history, education, or library science. Recipients are expected to have a history of community involvement and extracurricular participation.

The DGLF Youth Literacy Grants, established by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, aim to enhance literacy among underperforming students in K-12. Organizations such as schools and libraries can apply for funding to implement or expand literacy programs, purchase necessary materials, and acquire technology. With over $159 million awarded to date, the foundation supports efforts that provide equitable education opportunities, ensuring every child has the chance to learn and succeed, regardless of their background.

The James Ledwith Memorial Scholarship Fund, established in 2011 by the Albuquerque Community Foundation, supports high school graduates from the Albuquerque Metro Area who have faced extraordinary challenges. This scholarship awards up to $2,000 to those pursuing post-secondary education while demonstrating hope, faith, and courage. Applicants must submit letters of reference and a personal essay outlining their life dreams and challenges. One to two scholarships are awarded annually, promoting resilience and personal growth in the face of adversity.

The Adult Basic Education Direct Services program aims to enhance adult literacy and education, assisting individuals in gaining essential skills for employment and self-sufficiency. Funded through WIOA Title II, it addresses the needs of diverse adult learners, including those seeking high school equivalency and English language improvement. Emphasizing partnerships with local agencies, the program fosters community engagement while providing year-round, real-time instructional support to help participants achieve their educational and career goals.

DREAMS Grant Program

DREAMS For Duchenne

Launched in 2023, Entrada DREAMS is a competitive annual grant program designed to fund efforts within the Duchenne muscular dystrophy community to better identify, understand and reach those who are currently underrepresented and underserved.

DREAMS and Belonging

Entrada is building a company culture where everyone can belong, contribute and grow. In the same way, we are committed to working toward a healthcare system that is equitable and inclusive. Entrada DREAMS is part of our commitment to support Duchenne-focused non-profit organizations in their efforts to address disparities in healthcare and to better serve all people living with Duchenne.

DREAMS and Impact

DREAMS has funded transformative projects that bridge healthcare disparities and strengthen community connections. Keep reading to learn more about past recipients and their projects.

This year, two nonprofit organizations will each receive a $50,000 USD grant to fund projects that advance equity, accessibility and inclusion for individuals with Duchenne. Entrada will award one grant to a U.S.-based nonprofit and another to a nonprofit in the UK or EU.