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Disclaimer: These grants have been reviewed by ARSL for applicability for rural and small libraries. Information is provided by 3rd party organizations and subject to change without notice. Always review the grantor’s website to ensure full understanding of grant requirements, obligations, and deadlines before applying. 

Important Dates:

Awards are made by mid-October. To be considered by that date, applications must be postmarked by August 15.

Geographic Scope:

Only organizations operating and serving areas within the United States, its territories, or commonwealths are eligible.

Opportunity Criteria/Synopsis:

Lois Lenski, children’s book author and 1946 Newbery medalist for Strawberry Girl, had a life-long concern that all children have access to good books. Toward that end, the Foundation provides grants to bookmobile programs that serve children from disadvantaged populations.

The Lois Lenski Covey Foundation awards grants to organizations that operate a lending bookmobile that travels into neighborhoods populated by underserved youth. The grants are for purchasing books published for young people preschool through grade 8. Bookmobiles operated by charitable [501(c)(3)] and other non-taxable agencies, including public libraries or schools, are eligible. The Foundation provides grants to organizations that serve economically or socially at-risk children, have limited book budgets, and demonstrate real need.

The bookmobile grant program provides grants for purchasing children’s fiction or non-fiction books. The books are intended for young people to check out for pleasure reading or as a source of information for a school assignment. The library grant program DOES NOT provide grants for book distribution programs (book gift programs), atlases, dictionaries, basal readers or similar texts, workbooks or similar instructional tools, magazine subscriptions, or for textbooks or encyclopedias.

Application Requirements:

Only hardcopy (paper) applications will be accepted by mail. Request information includes details about your bookmobile program, the community it serves, and your book expenditure needs.

Attach two photos of your bookmobile, one interior and one exterior, with the application.

Reporting Requirements:

None listed

Important Dates:  
Grant applications are considered as they are received. There are no specific deadlines, it may take 90-120 days to receive a response. 

Geographic Scope:  
United States
 
Opportunity Criteria/Synopsis:
Because addressing literacy is not a short-term process, Believe in Reading’s grants are renewable for up to a maximum of three years, but a first year award does not guarantee any subsequent awards. At this time, the maximum grant amount is $10,000, however the vast majority are for $3,000 or less. First time applicants will not be funded for more than $3,000.  

Application Requirements:
Brief Application, Proof of tax exempt status, history of organization, stats of success, population demographics, last financial statement.

Reporting Requirements:
Outcome-based reports are required at the end of the project, and interim reports are very welcome. The reports are meant to be simple, not onerous, and will include the amount of the grant spent and how it was spent, the numbers of readers served, the number of hours spent by staff, and other simple figures to give a snapshot of how your program is progressing. Photos are appreciated as well.

Important Dates:

Applications will be accepted July 1 through July 31.

Geographic Scope: 

Public Library or Public Library System (accessible by the general public and funded from public sources) operating within the United States.

Opportunity Criteria/Synopsis:

Libraries Without Borders US (LWB US) is growing its partnership base across the country in order to increase library access and usage for underserved youth and families! This initiative aims to enhance partnerships between local schools, school libraries, and public libraries.

Through this Request for Proposal (RFP), LWB US will select five (5) public libraries or library systems with high levels of community need and a commitment to sustain successful efforts launched through the partnership. 

Selected partners will receive technical assistance for community data collection and analysis, strategy and development for school-library partnerships, implementation support, ongoing evaluation, and sustainability planning. To nurture a successful partnership, LWB US will provide supplies and materials up to $5,000 to support the implementation of school-library initiatives. Please note that LWB US is not a grant funder. We partner with public libraries and library systems in order to increase community access to and engagement with resources and offerings.

Application Requirements:

Applications consist of information about partnering entities, community and student population served, program plan and letter of support from the school principal.

LWB US will review applicants and conduct finalist interviews in early August with partnership determinations anticipated later that month.

Reporting Requirements:

The project period will span the 2025-2026 school year and brief outcomes document may be required at the end.

Important Dates:

Grants open quarterly during these dates:

• May 1– Jul. 15, 2025
• Aug. 1 – Oct. 15, 2025
• Nov. 3 – Dec. 31, 2025

Geographic Scope: 

Located within the service area of a Walmart store, Sam's Club, or distribution center.

Opportunity Criteria/Synopsis:

These grants, ranging from $250 to $5,000, are awarded to address specific community needs. The project should align with the focus areas of Creating Opportunity, Advancing Sustainability, Strengthening Community, and/or Centering Racial Equity.

Application Requirements:

Brief questionnaire about the project and how it aligns with Walmart's community and values:

• Mission Aligned: The grant addresses a specific need in their community and aligns with Walmart or Sam's Club's mission to help solve it.
• Builds Trust: The grant supports an organization that is legally compliant and seeks to bring people together without divisiveness.
• Effectiveness: It is clear what the organization does, how funds will be used, and the impact the grant will have in the community.
  
  
  

Reporting Requirements:

Agreeing to logo usage and recognition guidelines is required.

Important Dates:
Due by September 5

Geographic Scope:
United States

Opportunity Criteria/Synopsis:

Areas of focus for the Fall offering include Business & Economic Development, Education & Workforce, Health & Well-being, Public Service & First Responders. 

Grant maximum of $5,000 or have at least 75% of the project currently funded. Priority projects include Technology and broadband-enabled focused projects, those with a long-term impact on the community and its residents. Projects that promote community participation and engagement, and create a more sustainable rural community.

Application Requirements:

An online portal application that includes contact Information, history, project details, budget, and narrative of the grant funding need.

The application must be provided to your local NTCA member of the Rural Broadband Association.

Reporting Requirements:

None listed

Important Dates:
Aug 1. Later deadlines: Nov 8, 2025, Feb 7, 2026, May 10, 2026, Aug 9, 2026, Nov 8, 2026

Geographic Scope:
United States

Opportunity Criteria/Synopsis:

Open to Library Foundations and Friends of Groups

Driven by Nasdaq's Purpose to advance economic progress for all, the Nasdaq Foundation works with organizations that promote and support under-resourced communities by reimagining investor engagement and equipping communities with the financial knowledge needed to share in the wealth that markets create.

Grants will be given in this area to organizations and programs that deliver impact in one or more of the following ways:

• Enhancing financial literacy among under-resourced communities, with an element of teaching participants how to invest 
• Improving access to knowledge and tools for investing and wealth creation among under-resourced communities

There is no set minimum or maximum grant amount. The Nasdaq Foundation's Leadership Team will consider whether the amount requested is commensurate with the proposed project and appropriate for the Nasdaq Foundation's annual grant-making target and charitable purposes.

Reasonable overhead costs may be included in the grant request, provided they are specified.

Application Requirements:

An online portal application that includes organizational information, project details, budget, and a narrative of the grant funding need. 

Reporting Requirements:
None listed

Jul 24, 12– 10–11am (PDT) | 11am–12pm (MDT) | 1pm (CDT) | 1–2pm (EDT)

Free Webinar

Unlock the transformative power of storytelling to breathe new life into historic preservation and transform your downtown into a living narrative. This webinar explores the latest trends in humanities-based storytelling, showcasing how communities can turn their rich histories into vibrant, participatory experiences. We’ll take you on a journey through Kendallville, Indiana’s innovative downtown trail, where story-telling window clings in storefronts have turned everyday walks into immersive historical adventures. Whether you’re looking to preserve your community’s heritage or tell underrepresented stories, this webinar will equip you with the tools to make history come alive in most everyday places.

A strong budget tells a powerful story. In grant writing, your budget isn’t just about numbers—it’s a reflection of your values, planning, and professionalism. When thoughtfully prepared, a grant budget can elevate your entire proposal and increase funders’ confidence in your organization’s ability to deliver.

Explore a curated list of library grant opportunities from The Library Corporation (TLC) to help fund technology, programming, and community initiatives.

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