The Literacy Enrichment Grant is a flexible grant designed to make reading and writing come alive for kids and infuse literacy with FUN! The Literacy Enrichment Grant offers up to $1000 in funding that can be used for project-oriented or experiential learning opportunities that bring literacy to life. The goals of this grant are to create excitement around literacy; encourage an appreciation of alternative learning opportunities; engage with parents/caregivers around literacy; inspire children to try new things; and enrich young people’s lives with literacy.

This grant ONLY serves programs located in VT and NH.

Eligibility

An organization, program, or facility must meet these requirements to apply for the Literacy Enrichment Grant:

• Community/nonprofit organizations, youth-serving programs, libraries, or childcare/early education centers, or schools located in New Hampshire or Vermont.
• Serve children from birth to age 12 (or within that range).
• At least 35% of the children served must qualify for free or reduced lunch, reduced program tuition, or a scholarship.
• At least 30 kids must participate in the program, either virtually or in-person.
• Organizations with an enthusiastic and organized coordinator willing to collaborate with CLiF on planning, organizing, and communicating about your project.
• The proposal must connect directly with literacy and boost engagement with reading/writing.

Examples

• Family literacy event or activities to engage with children and their families around literacy.
• Tickets to a multi-cultural performance or museum that links to a literacy curriculum unit and enhances understanding of other lived experiences.
• Connecting to a literary theme or learning unit with materials, field trips, and/or special guest presenter. 
• Partnership between a school and public library to further connections and community around literacy.
• Red Clover or Ladybug Award parade, books, and school decorations.
• Afterschool, vacation week, or out-of-school time programming connecting to literacy.
• Writing, storytelling, comics, puppetry, or drama residency.
• Self-publishing and printing costs.
• 1000 Books Before Kindergarten.
• Earth Day celebration, book giveaway, and naturalist.
• Your creative ideas are welcome as well!

Application Deadline

The application opens on September 1, 2025 with applications due on November 1, 2025. A second spring cohort will open on February 1, 2026 (pending available funding).

Grant related events and activities need to be completed by March 1, 2026. Grantees must submit a final report and detailed budget of expenses within 30 days of the project’s end date.

Literacy Enrichment Grant Application, 2025-26