Idaho Commission for Libraries

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Grant opportunities of interest to Idaho librarians

The Libri Foundation

The Libri Foundation is a nationwide non-profit organization that donates new, quality, hard-cover children's books to small, rural public libraries throughout the United States. Several Idaho libraries have received grants from the Libri Foundation. In order to encourage and reward local support of libraries, the Libri Foundation will match any amount of money raised by a library's local sponsor from $50 to $350 on a 2-to-1 ratio. Thus, a library can receive up to $1,050 worth of new, quality, hardcover children's books.

Applications are accepted from independent libraries as well as libraries which are part of a county, regional, or cooperative library system. A library system may also apply if all the libraries in the system meet these requirements. A school library may apply only if it also serves as the public library (i.e. it is open to the general public and during the summer).

For more information see the web site at http://www.librifoundation.org.

Laura Bush Foundation for America's Libraries

The mission of the Laura Bush Foundation is to support the education of our nation's children by providing funds to update, extend, and diversify the book and print collections of America's school libraries.

In its most recent grant cycle ( 2004) the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries awarded in excess of $660,000 in grants to 136 school libraries. The libraries, including one in Idaho, received up to $5000 each.

The grant application process is administered by the Community Foundation for the National Capital Region with guidance from the Laura Bush Foundation Advisory Committee. The grants are funded through donations from individuals and foundations.

For more information, go to the web site at http://www.LauraBushFoundation.org.

Children's Trust Fund

The Idaho Children's Trust Fund awards grants for services to prevent child abuse and neglect in Idaho and provides technical assistance, training and networking opportunities to programs that help support and strengthen families.

Mini Grants are one-year grants of up to $2,500 each, to prevent child abuse or neglect. The Trust Fund has also introduced Multi-Year Grants of up to $40,000 over a 3-year cycle. The larger grants must target specific populations and needs, and they must fall under one of four identified categories. Those interested in applying for funds may check the Trust Fund's web site http://idahochildrenstrustfund.idaho.gov/ for more information.

Box Tops for Education

More than 82,000 K-8 schools are enrolled in the Box Tops program. There are three components to the program - Clip, Shop, and Charge. Participating schools can receive up to $20,000 per year for each of the three components, or a maximum of $60,000. Go to http://www.boxtops4education.com/ for more information.

Starbucks Foundation Grants

The Starbucks Foundation has a giving program which focuses on literacy projects for children from birth through 21 years of age in communities where its stores are located.

Grants are made at two levels, both of which require involvement of Starbucks employees. Mini-grants of $5,000 each are made to local-level projects that the store's employees are involved in. Opportunity Grants of up to $20,000 each are made to larger local projects that involve Starbucks' resources -- stores, employees or customers. Organizations may apply for only one type of grant per year.

Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and other tax-exempt institutions, such as public schools and libraries, in communities where Starbucks' stores are located.

Applications for the mini-grants program are accepted at any time and are reviewed on a regular basis. Applications are available from Starbucks stores, district managers and the foundation. To apply for the Opportunity Grant program, submit a concept paper, written to foundation specifications, describing the project. Full proposals will be invited based on concept papers.

For more information or to request application materials, visit a local Starbucks store or go to the web site at http://www.starbucks.com/donations.

Ezra Jack Keats Foundation Minigrants

The Foundation offers Minigrants of $350 to school and public libraries for programs that encourage literacy and creativity in children. All applicants must be from the United States, and proposed projects must be exclusively sponsored by the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation.

Programs that will be considered include storytelling, innovative or noteworthy workshops, and festivals. Those targeted at parents are also considered worthy. Programs focusing on the works of Ezra Jack Keats will be given special attention. Only one application from each library system or school district will be considered.

Grant application forms will be found at http://www.ezra-jack-keats.org/programs/minigrants.htm and must be mailed, not e-mailed, to Ezra Jack Keats Mini-Grants, 450 14th St., Brooklyn, NY 11215, USA.

Verizon

Over the last 10 years, Verizon has created and supported a number of literacy programs involving both national and local literacy groups. In 2004 alone, Verizon contributed nearly $20 million towards literacy programs.

Some of these programs are:

• Season's Readings: Million Books for a Million Children. A national holiday book drive sponsored by Verizon Communications and Barnes & Noble Booksellers.
• Young Readers Program. An interactive and family-oriented course that targets K-3 readers in minority neighborhoods.
• BuildLiteracy.org. Answers questions about adult literacy, libraries and coalitions in addition to providing tips on coalition-building, profiles of existing literacy coalitions, and a menu of literacy coalition activities.
• Verizon Reads with the Pioneers. A children's literacy program involving Verizon volunteers who serve as reading tutors and mentors for children and young teens in kindergarten through ninth grade.

For more information on these and other Verizon Reads programs, go to their web site http://www.verizonreads.net.

Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy

The goal of this national grant program is to develop and expand family literacy efforts nationwide, and to support the development of literacy programs that build families of readers. A total of $650,000 is awarded each year; no grant exceeds $65,000.

Family Literacy programs funded through the Foundation's National Grant Program must include all of the following components:

• Reading instruction for parents or primary care-givers (pre-GED/GED/ ESL, etc.)
• literacy or pre-literacy instruction for children
• Intergenerational activities where the parents/primary caregivers and children come together to learn and to read.

Programs can also include additional components such as parent support groups, parent involvement, home visits, job training, etc. Grants have been given to literacy groups, libraries, schools, social services organizations and youth organizations.

Grant applications are due in September for the following year. Go to the web site http://www.barbarabushfoundation.com for more information.

Twenty-First Century Community Learning Centers Program (21st CCLC)

This program offers grants that enable schools to stay open longer and provide a place for tutoring in basic skills, homework centers, and enrichment in core subjects. Centers also can provide drug and violence prevention counseling, community service opportunities, or advice to students about college preparation courses.

Applicants are encouraged to collaborate with other public and private agencies, including school districts. Faith-based organizations are eligible to apply. Grants are awarded to applicants that will primarily serve students who attend schools with a high concentration of low-income students.

This program is funded by the federal government (No Child Left Behind) and administered by the state through the Idaho State Department of Education. Go to www.sde.state.id.us/safe/lc/default.asp for more information.

Idaho Community Foundation

The Idaho Community Foundation makes grants to 501(c) organizations, educational institutions, and in some cases to governmental entities. Because needs within the state are so varied, the range of projects which ICF funds is very broad and includes projects in the fields of health, human services, arts and culture, education, public projects, and the environment. Additional grant information may be obtained online at http://www.idcomfdn.org or by calling the Foundation office at 1-800-657-5357.

Funding Information Center

The Funding Information Center, located at Boise Public Library, is a useful source of fundraising information. In addition to the Center's collection of print materials, its web site, located at http://www.boisepubliclibrary.org, links to Internet resources about nonprofits, charities and foundations.

Directory of Idaho Foundations

The Directory of Idaho Foundations, published by the Caldwell Public Library, is an excellent source of information about grant opportunities for libraries in Idaho. The directory is updated frequently. Caldwell Public Library also maintains a collection of materials to assist grant seekers. For more information about the directory or the collection, contact Elaine Leppert at 1-208-459-3242 or caldwellpl@yahoo.com.

The Funding Information Center at Boise Public Library, Caldwell Public Library, and the Eastern Idaho Funding Information Center at Marshall Public Library in Pocatello are participants in the Foundation Center Cooperating Collections program. Other libraries in this region which participate in this program include Spokane Public Library, Salt Lake City Public Library, and the libraries at University of Montana in Missoula and Wenatchee Valley College in Wenatchee, Washington.

Regional and Local Funding Sources

The information below is taken from the Directory of Foundations, (11th ed., 2003). Check the directory for many more funding sources.

Olive Smith Browning Charitable Trust

Gives to civic and literary organizations in the Twin Falls area. Contact the Wells Fargo Bank Trust Department, P.O. Box 7, Twin Falls, ID 83303.

Caldwell Community Foundation, Inc.

Gives to organizations in Canyon and Owyhee Counties, except for Nampa. The deadline for applications is September 30th. Contact the foundation at P.O. Box 1358, Caldwell, ID 83606.

Callahan-Zeller Foundation, Inc.

Gives primarily in Idaho; public libraries are an area of interest. Contact the foundation at P.O. Box 469, Wallace, ID 83873.

Chadwick Foundation

Gives primarily in Idaho. Contact the foundation at P.O. Box 486, Soda Springs, ID 83276.

CHC Foundation

Gives in Idaho only, with an emphasis on eastern Idaho. Deadline dates are February 1 and September 1. Contact the foundation at P.O. Box 1644, Idaho Falls, ID 83403

Edna Childs Charitable Trust

Application deadline is December 31. Contact the Wells Fargo Bank Trust Department, P.O. Box 7, Twin Falls, ID 83303.

Edward Low Memorial Trust

Application deadline is December 31. Contact the Wells Fargo Bank Northwest, P.O. Box 2618, Boise, ID 83701.

Whittenberger Foundation

Gives to qualified Idaho organizations. Areas of interest relate to children and young people. Preference is given to short-term projects. Deadline is August 31. Go to http://www.whittenbergerfoundation.org for further information.

Foundation Northwest

This is a fund for charitable purposes in the ten counties north of the Salmon River. Contact the foundation by e-mail at info@foundationnw.org, or call toll-free 1-888-267-5606.