Seeds for Success Grant Application

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Seeds for Success: Pre-K Book Grants

FOLIO has long been committed to early childhood literacy. Illiteracy has a lifelong impact on people’s health, earning power, mental health, & quality of life. Did you know…?

  • 58% of U.S. children ages 3-5 are not ready fully “healthy and ready to learn.” “Most young children who start [school] behind are more likely to stay or fall further behind.” – edsurge.com
  • 60% of low-income families have no books in the home. Nearly 70% of fourth-graders read below grade level. –comfyliving.net/reading-statistics
  • The average baby’s brain grows to about 80% of adult size by age 3 and 90% – nearly full grown – by age 5. –firstthingsfirst.org
  • Raising a child in a home filled with books positively impacts her future academic growth and job attainment. A book-filled home encourages a culture of reading for enjoyment and talking about books. –Social Science Research

FOLIO is offering up to $500 grants for FOLIO-member Friends of Libraries groups to give books to preschoolers, particularly those living in poverty. Application due Dec. 31, 2025.

FOLIO is also offering grants to Friends of Libraries groups for free used picture books (50-100 books) to place in take-and-share book shelves or a Little Free Library® in day care centers, community centers, health centers, housing centers or related locations. Application due Dec. 31, 2025.

Please describe below what your Friends of the Library would do with the money and/or books. You may also include:

  • What related activities has Friends done in the past?
  • Are you targeting children living in poverty?
  • What activities do you plan?
  • Would you use some of your FOL’s monies, as well?
  • How will you promote the library?

FOLIO will have more book grants than money grants.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 31, 2025. Awards will be presented at the end of February and recognized at the FOLIO Annual Meeting in the spring.

Please send an evaluation, due in six months, August 31. Please describe how the money was used and where the books were placed. Any photos would be cherished.