CLiF is founded by Duncan McDougall in Etna, NH. In its first year, the organization serves 500 children in six communities through the Rural Library grant.
Our Story
Why We Started CLiF
In 1998, Duncan McDougall envisioned an organization that would make the joys of reading and writing more accessible to under-resourced children in Vermont and New Hampshire.
CLiF’s first program launched that March, bringing books and author visits to rural libraries. Today, CLiF operates eight unique grant programs that reach communities across the Green Mountain and Granite states.
Our premise is simple: when children enjoy doing something, they do it more often. The more they do it, the better they get. CLiF helps kids build joyful connections with literacy from an early age, opening doors to lifelong learning and opportunity.
“Literacy is really a social justice issue. Helping young kids develop a love for reading and writing can open so many doors for them.”
Duncan McDougall
CLiF Founder
The CLiF Journey
From a single idea in 1998 to eight grant programs serving communities across Vermont and New Hampshire — here's how CLiF has grown over the years. Each milestone reflects our commitment to putting books in kids' hands and building a lifelong love of reading.
1998
1999
CLiF moves to Waterbury Center, VT and is based out of Duncan’s garage.
2000
In-person presentations by professional authors, illustrators, poets and storytellers begin. The At-Risk (now Community Literacy) program is launched.
2002
CLiF holds its first Rural Library Conference at Dartmouth College. Some 120 librarians from 75 towns attend.
2003
Five years in, CLiF has offered free literacy programs to over 160 communities in VT and NH.
2004
The Children of Incarcerated Adults (ChIA) program is launched.
2006
The Summer Readers program is launched.
2008
CLiF celebrates 10 years of literacy work across VT and NH.
2009
CLiF partners with food shelves and food pantries to expand outreach to children and families.
2010
Duncan McDougall wins the Lyman C. Hunt Award for Outstanding Contributions to Reading from the Vermont Council on Reading.
2012
The Year of the Book program is launched.
2013
CLiF holds the first annual Community Literacy Conference. Fifteen years in, the organization has served 120K children, and given away $2.5 million in books.
2015
The Year of the Book program expands to eight schools.
2017
Summer Readers has grown by 1500% since its 2006 launch.
2018
CLiF celebrates 20 years, and begins a new initiative to serve families and children affected by opioid addiction.
2019
CLiF has officially outgrown Duncan’s garage. A building site is identified, and planning for new headquarters begins.
2020
Covid-19 hits. CLiF rapidly pivots to offering virtual and remote literacy resources for children and families.
2022
A groundbreaking ceremony is held on Sept. 20, 2022 and construction on the new HQ begins.
2023
CLiF celebrates 25 years, and moves to new headquarters in Waterbury Center. Founding Executive Director Duncan McDougall retires, and Laura Rice becomes CLiF’s second executive director.
2024
The Literacy Enrichment Grant, a new program blending literacy with project-based and/or experiential learning, is launched.
2025
The Early Childhood Literacy Grant is created to expand equitable access to early literacy opportunities for young learners ages 0–5.