ARSL Grant Opportunities Digest
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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.
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Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant Program
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Important Dates:
Rolling Applications.
Geographic Scope:
Available to cities and towns with populations under 30,000. Federally-recognized Tribal governments and small cities and towns from U.S. territories may apply. Communities outside of the population range will be considered on a case-by-case basis following
a conversation with Community Heart & Soul staff.
Opportunity Criteria/Synopsis:
The Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant Program provides $10,000 in funding for resident-driven groups in small cities and towns to start the Community Heart & Soul model. Grant funding requires a $10,000 cash match from the participating municipality or a partnering
organization.
Application Requirements:
Finalists will be asked to complete a brief exercise from Getting Started with Community Heart & Soul and participate in a virtual interview with Community Heart & Soul staff.
Reporting Requirements:
None Listed
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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.
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The Nora Roberts Foundation Literacy Grant
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Important Dates:
Deadlines for applications are based on quarterly board meetings in January, March/April, June/July, and October/November. Submit your application by Dec.
1st, March 1st, June 1st, and September 1st to be considered at that quarters meeting.
Geographic Scope:
Organizations that operate locally and nationally in the United States with priority given to organizations surrounding the Washington, DC area (MD, PA, VA, WV).
Opportunity Criteria/Synopsis:
For first time grant seekers, it is recommended you ask for $3,000 - $5,000. You can also ask for less than $3,000. Programs should focus on:
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literacy
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children
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the arts
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social justice, or
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the environment
Funds can be used for direct-service programming and general operating support.
Eligible programs must serve a majority low-to-moderate income (LMI) population.
Application Requirements:
Application includes a program summary, non-discrimination statement, organizational documents, brochures and optional attachments (budgets, impact report, testimonials, etc.)
Reporting Requirements:
None Listed
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The Courage Project Award (Organization or Individual)
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Important Dates:
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Geographic Scope:
United States
Opportunity Criteria/Synopsis:
Awards range from $10,000-$50,000
As the country approaches its 250th anniversary, The Courage Project invites all of us to reflect on the foundational ideals that define this nation—and to celebrate those who courageously stand up for them. By spotlighting real stories of civic bravery, and
offering an open public nomination process, the initiative empowers Americans everywhere to honor unsung heroes and inspire courageous action in their own communities. In a time of deep division, The Courage Project is a unifying force, reminding us that small
acts of courage and compassion can ripple outward to create powerful, lasting change.
Whether it's a librarian defending free speech, a teacher protecting vulnerable students, or a local leader bridging divides, these recipients
embody core national values:
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kindness
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empathy
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community
For organizational awards, local nonprofit organizations will receive recognition for specific actions, whether that’s supporting free
speech, championing equality, or building community
For individual recognition, recipients may recommend donations to values-aligned American non-profit organizations, seeding civic engagement
in their communities and strengthening our democracy.
Application Requirements:
Brief application outlining courageous acts and its impacts to the community.
Reporting Requirements:
None Listed
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The King Foundation Community Grants
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Important Dates:
Applicants can watch a webinar about the Foundation’s proposal process. Email the Grants Administrator
amieanderson@kingfoundation.com to request an invitation to the webinar.
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May 1, 2025: Online Portal opens.
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June 16, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. CT: Letter of Inquiry (LOI) deadline
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August 8, 2025: Applicants notified if LOIs advance to full proposals
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August 29, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. CT: Deadline for invited full proposals
Geographic Scope:
Eligible counties are listed
here and divided into three regions:
Arkansas, North Texas, and West Texas.
Opportunity Criteria/Synopsis:
Grants range from $15,000 to $75,000, with an average of $30,000 for implementation between January-December 2026.
Friends Of groups and other related non-profits can apply for funding for programs that can include those that support the health, independence, and protection of seniors; expand access to arts, culture, and history for children, seniors, and underserved groups;
meet the physical and emotional needs of children and youth, including abuse prevention and healthcare; assist economically disadvantaged individuals through emergency aid and pathways to independence; enhance educational outcomes for all ages; and strengthen
the capacity of nonprofits working in these focus areas.
Application Requirements:
Initial application will be a brief letter of intent, if selected for a full proposal. Site visits are performed for most all grant awardees.
Reporting Requirements:
Grant reporting will occur between January-June 2027 and be submitted via the online portal.
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FOR PATRONS: Literacy Everywhere Contest
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Important Dates:
Entry Period starts at 12:00 p.m. ET on 4/29/25 and ends at 11:59:59 p.m. ET on
9/12/25.
Geographic Scope:
Open only legal residents of the 50 US/DC, 18 years of age and older.
Opportunity Criteria/Synopsis: The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family - Family literacy means spending time reading, learning, and playing together – anywhere and anytime! A family can
include parents, grandparents, siblings, caregivers, or anyone who joins in. Show us how your family comes together to read, learn, and play in all kinds of places and at all ages.
You could win $1,000 in cash and a trip to the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy's National Celebration of Reading in Washington, D.C.
Be creative and think about how you might help motivate other families to read, learn, and play together!
Application Requirements:
Log in and upload any of the following:
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A photo showing how your family reads, learns, or plays together
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A video showing how your family reads, learns, or plays together
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A drawing or painting showing how your family reads, learns, or plays together
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Include a caption (3-5 sentences) to describe your photo, video, or artwork.
Reporting Requirements:
None, though winners may travel to Washington DC if selected.
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Introduction to Project Budgets
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Duration: 1 hour,
8 mins
Cost: Free
Description: Are
you ready to start fundraising for your project or idea, but don't know what and how much to ask for? If preparing a budget for your foundation grant is holding you back, come learn the basic elements of how to draft a project budget with confidence.This class
will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to generate a standard project budget for a foundation proposal. We will discuss:
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The basic components of a project budget including income and expenses
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How to estimate the realistic cost of a project
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What other financial documents you may also need to submit with your proposal
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Free Library & Education Grant Search by state, program, institution type.
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2025 State of Grantseeking Report
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GrantStation’s Key Findings breaking down the current fundraising landscape.
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Sign up for free daily tips and tricks to improve your grant writing or research the archive for topics of interest.
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Tips for Seeking Foundation Grants in a Time of Crisis - Candid
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In a time of federal funding cuts and uncertainty, Candid shares essential tips for nonprofits seeking foundation grants—emphasizing relationship-building,
flexible funding requests, and free tools to help organizations navigate a shifting funding landscape.
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Contact Info:
The Association for Rural & Small Libraries
PO BOX 33731, Seattle, WA, 98133
(206) 453-3579
info@arsl.org
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