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Youth/Adult Library Services

Resources for Public Library Youth Services Staff

CLiF

Our free literacy programs and book giveaways inspire low-income, at-risk, and rural children throughout New Hampshire and Vermont to fall in love with books.Our programs include an application process for organizations that serve children who are at risk of growing up with low literacy skills. This helps us make sure that we support the children who need us most.

Environmental Education Grant Opportunities

B-WET regional programs and competitions for Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs)| NOAA

 

Local Community Grants| Walmart

 

International Eco-Hero Awards for Young Environmentalists |Action for Nature

 

OurEcho Challenge | EarthEcho International

 

Partners for Places Grants |The Funders Network and the Urban Sustainability Directors Network

 

USDA Farm to School Grants | USDA offers generous funding to support Farm to School programs in your schools. Applications are open until January 6 and can be used to fund a variety of activities such as: training, supporting operations, planning, purchasing equipment, developing school gardens, developing partnerships, and implementing farm to school programs.

 

Northeast Farm to School Institute | Applications open in January for the 2023-2024 Northeast Farm to School Institute at Shelburne Farms. The institute kicks off with a three-day retreat at Shelburne Farms in June with your school's Farm to School team. Ongoing support throughout the subsequent school year includes action planning, coaching, skill-building, and networking.

 

ReTreeUs | Looking for new ways to engage your school and community? Beginning in Maine, ReTreeUs has esablished 70 educational orchards across Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.

Better Buildings Funding and Incentives Resource Hub

BBSC Logo

Looking to implement energy efficiency upgrades, renewable energy and decarbonization projects, or other sustainability initiatives? The Funding and Incentives Resource Hub can help you navigate and discover the many rebates, funding opportunities, and other incentives including those available through the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

CDFA Announces Final Round for the Community Center Investment Program

The New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) is launching the final round of funding from the Community Center Investment Program to provide American Rescue Plan Act resources to nonprofits and municipalities to improve community spaces across the state. CDFA is coordinating with the Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery (GOFERR) to administer the competitive program to rehabilitate, expand, or build community centers in New Hampshire.

 

The Community Center Investment Program is an opportunity to make deeper impacts within New Hampshire communities through one-time, strategic investments in community-based infrastructure. Eligible applicants for the competitive program include New Hampshire nonprofits and municipalities. Applications will be due by November 30, 2023.

First Round Community Center Investment Application Webinar & Materials
CDFA will be making minor modifications to program materials, however, those interested in gaining an understanding of the program priorities and requirements should reference the following first round materials

All recorded CDFA program workshops can be found on our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/nhcdfa.

Access Technical Assistance, Grant Writing and Project Development Assistance

In an effort to increase access to these resources, CDFA is offering the following opportunities to qualifying organizations with significant need for support leading up to the Community Center Investment Program application deadline:

  • Grant Writing and Project Development Assistance: CDFA will provide qualifying applicants with financial resources to receive assistance from a professional consultant to provide project development guidance and/or develop a strong and viable grant application while building enduring grant-writing knowledge and capacity. Applications for grant writing and project development support may be submitted beginning September 15, 2023 and will be accepted until available funds have been expended. Program Summary / Application
  • Pre-Application Meetings: CDFA will be offering final round applicants technical assistance, guidance on program objectives, and instruction on how to successfully complete an application through pre-application meetings starting October 9, 2023. Details on how to schedule a meeting will be forthcoming.

Sign-up for Program Webinars

CDFA will host a series of virtual webinars for organizations interested in learning more about the Community Center Investment Program and how to apply for these resources available to New Hampshire nonprofits and municipalities. Interested nonprofits and communities are encouraged to sign up for the Community Center Investment Program Webinars on October 17 (register here) and October 19 (register here).

Contact: Rebecca Boisvert (rboisvert@nhcdfa.org), Director of Community Development, CDFA

New Hampshire Library Technology Grant Program

This competitive grants program from the NH Charitable Foundation awards grants of up to $10,000 to community libraries to support online access, technology upgrades, distance learning and staff development. Grant amounts up to $10,000. Deadline December 15, 2023. For more guidelines and to apply see https://www.nhcf.org/how-can-we-help-you/apply-for-a-grant/library-technology-grant-program/

 

Sustainable and Resilient New England Libraries Grant

Sustainable & Resilient New England Libraries Grants

Through the continued generosity of an anonymous private foundation, the Association for Rural & Small Libraries is pleased to offer this grant opportunity in support of sustainability and resiliency in New England libraries! Each eligible* library may submit one application with one fundable project.

 

Examples of projects that will be considered as part of this opportunity include, but are not limited to:

  • Weatherizing libraries to protect them from extreme temperatures
  • Facility sustainability initiatives, including things like LED lighting conversion and solarization, potentially leading to Sustainable Library Certification
  • Developing Green Business Support programs to connect local businesses with sustainability resources
  • Community resiliency outreach initiatives, including community gardens, food banks, seasonal CSA programs, community swap events, Repair Fairs, etc.
  • Expanded technology resources to create or reinforce community technology infrastructure

Not all applications will be selected for funding. First-time recipients will receive priority when reviewing the applications. If selected, grants will be in the amount of $5,000-$15,000.

 

The application will open on November 27, 2023.

The deadline for applying for a grant is December 18, 2023.

Applicants will be notified of the outcome by February 9, 2024.

Funds will be disbursed in February 2024.

Funded projects must be completed by December 31, 2024.

Project reports must be submitted by February 1, 2025.

 

Download a preview of the grant application

 

If selected for funding, grant may be used for one-time, non-renewable projects. No general operating grants will be considered. 


*Eligible libraries must meet the IMLS definition of a small and/or rural library, but do not need to be active members of ARSL. Libraries must be located in one of the six New England states as defined by our partner foundation: Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. If you are uncertain whether your library qualifies please email the ARSL Office.

 

 

Penguin Random House Grants for Small Libraries

Penguin Random House Grants for Small Libraries

Through the generosity of Penguin Random House, we are pleased to announce this grant opportunity for small, rural libraries nationwide! This grant is available to libraries that meet both the IMLS definition for small libraries (a service population of 25,000 or fewer) and the definition for rural libraries (libraries located 5 or more miles from the nearest town of 25k or more)

 

Applicants may request: 

  • One (1) monetary grant in support of a community-oriented project for up to $1,000.
              or 
  • An in-kind grant donation of up to $1,000 in equivalent value to support a circulating collection in your library.

Applications may be submitted beginning December 4, 2023.

Deadline to submit applications is December 15, 2023.

Notifications of funding decision will be sent to applicants by March 8, 2024.
Funded projects must be completed by December 31, 2024.
Project reports must be submitted by February 1, 2025.


The program will award grants to libraries that demonstrate a true need. First-time recipients will receive priority when reviewing the applications. Monetary grants are not limited to literacy and may be used for everything from library programming and books to resources like hotspots that help community members access important information. Library seeking support for digital collections should request a monetary grant.

T-Mobile Hometown Grants

T-Mobile is offering up to $50,000 to bring community projects to life in rural areas. The funding is meant to foster local connections, like technology upgrades, outdoor spaces, the arts, and community centers. Check out the T-Mobile grant page to learn more.

IF/THEN® Project Library

New funding opportunity supported by the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC): Grants of up to $4,000 are available to public libraries, museums, science centers and other cultural institutions in the US to support projects that highlight women and gender minorities in STEM by using materials from the IF/THEN® Project Library.

Learn more by clicking below and contact if/then@astc.org with any questions.

https://www.astc.org/ifthen/project-library/

Library Grants to Explore

  • The Library Corporation extensive list of grants for libraries.
  • Library Grants blog is a good source of grant information.
  • Junior Library Guild also highlights a variety of grants to bolster the development of collections.
  • The Dollar General Literacy Foundation offers grants for programs that support literacy, serving students of all ages within Dollar General home town communities. 
  • Eisner Graphic Novel Grant for Libraries If you’re looking to build your library’s graphic novel collection, this is definitely a grant you should check out. The purpose of this grant is to increase awareness of the importance of graphic literature and chooses applicants who wish to create programs and services that will promote graphic novels. In order to apply for this grant, you must be a current ALA member. 
    Applications for this grant open annually in February. Each library receives $4,000, and they do require you to spend the money in certain ways, such as buying novels, hosting an event, and attending the ALA conference.
  • The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation awards up to 70 grants each year to public schools, public libraries, and public preschool programs. 
  • FINRA Foundation Library Grants Program – This grant program supports public libraries and academic libraries in their efforts to meet financial and/or investor education needs at the community level by providing high-quality education, services, and resources. The program also aims to ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion in access to personal finance education and information. 
  • Jan Stauber-Sherlock Holmes Literacy Grant The purpose of this grant is to foster a love of reading for students, specifically by introducing them to Sherlock Holmes books. The target audience is elementary, middle, and high schools in the USA and Canada. Applications for this grant can be submitted at any point throughout the year, and you can earn up to $1,000.
  • Peggy Barber Tribute Grant The Peggy Barber grant is associated with the American Library Association (ALA). Each year, the ALA chooses to focus the grant on a specific type of library programming. For example, this year, the grant focuses on programming related to increasing access for underserved groups or new library users. One unique feature of this library grant is that it is not school-specific, any type of literacy program can apply. Applications for this grant will reopen in December 2023. The maximum grant amount is $2,500.
  • The Pilcrow Foundation offers grants to rural libraries in the US that have suffered loss and damage due to recent natural disasters as well as help for libraries experiencing budgetary declines due to reduced or eliminated funding. 
  • Walmart offers grants of up to $5,000 to local nonprofit organizations within the service area of an individual Walmart or Sam’s Club store. Project should benefit the community at large. Eligible nonprofit organizations must operate on the local level or be an affiliate/chapter of a larger organization that operates locally and directly benefit the service area of the store from which they are requesting funding. https://walmart.org/how-we-give/local-community-grants (Personal note: the best way to get this grant is to build a relationship with the local store manager. Some managers are happy to approve these grants. Others just let the applications languish. They have to sign off on the application before it moves up the chain.)

GetEdFunding.com

Who We Are

GetEdFunding is your grant finding resource wizard, dedicated to helping educators, schools, and institutions identify the funding they need in budget-tight times.
 

What We Do

GetEdFunding hosts thousands of education grants, including funding opportunities for public and private preK–12 schools and districts; awards for outstanding professionals; grants for teachers, media specialists, and administrators; higher education institutions; and nonprofit organizations offering educational programs.

 

BOOST Funding Page

The BOOST Funding page is a comprehensive compilation of available funding opportunities including grants, scholarships, awards, and contests to support your school and/or programs. We encourage you to visit our site often for updates and opportunities.

 

This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the New Hampshire State Library.