Writing grants is an important part of a librarian's job.  Grants help extend budgets and fund fun and innovative programs for patrons.  Grant writing can be a daunting task, which is why we have created this page for you!  Here, you will find resources such as:

• how to write a grant proposal
• examples of grant proposal letters
• research to use to support your proposal
• links to great sites on grants

Please let us know of any questions that you have for which you cannot find answers on this page, or if you think that anything should be added, please let us know!!

Writing a Grant Proposal

Samples and Tips

• Grant Proposal Writing Guidelines- from the UN Library Network
• How to Write a Federal Grant Proposal
• Grant Proposals Handouts and Links- from the University of North Carolina
• Writing a Successful Grant Proposal- from the Minnesota Council on Foundations
• Tips from ALSC
• Non-Profit Grant Guide

Research Assistance for Crafting your Proposal

General Grant Support

• Grant resources compiled by the Library Grants blog   grantResources.doc

Help with Summer Reading

• Active Summer, Active Minds (article) by Valerie Strauss.  Great article written for the Washington Post on the importance of summer reading in keeping students learning over the summer. Gives statistics on how reading skills are lost over the summer, great quotes from researchers from the University of Virginia and the University of Tennessee. 

• National Summer Learning Association (website) Organization to share information about summer reading. Lots of great information on summer reading programs, including professional development options, research and publications, policies, programs, news, and events.

Benefits of Literacy Development

• Encyclopedia of Language and Literacy Development  Developed by the Canadian Language and Literacy Research Network. evidence-based information on literacy development in children, provided by policy makers, teachers, and other educators.
•  Early Word Recognition is Key to Lifelong Reading Skills Says New Study  (article) From Science Daily Online, offering a quick overview of a study on the importance of early reading in children. Also offers links to other articles and related stories.
•  Why Encouraging Literacy Should Be Part of your Business Plan by Nora O'Neil  (article) Lots of great statistics on why literacy is important for the development of reading skills. Focus is on how bookstores can help increase literacy in students, but some great ideas are given that librarians can use as well. 

• New York 2010 Statewide Summer Reading Program: Research/Promoting Literacy by the New York State Library.  Information provided for New York public libraries highlighting the importance of summer reading programs in literacy development. Provides links to studies done on summer reading programs and how they help kids. Great evidence for your grant proposals!

Advocacy

• Libraries Make the Difference Advocacy and Statistics from ALA.  Great information on advocacy. Separates the information into preschool,  kindergarten-middle school, and teens, so you can tailor your search to what you need for a specific grant.  Offers information for public as well as school libraries.

Research, Statistics, and Data: 

•  2009 Reader Survey Results from the Reader Group Guide.  Survey results from online community of readers.  Great insights on what your  patrons might want and need in the library, and how to go about developing a collection that suits your community. This information could be used to justify why funding is needed for a specific sector of your library. 

•  Kids Count Data Bank Basic data on kids from all over the United States.  Data offered on kids in Pennsylvania, and Allegheny County specifically. 

• 2008 Kids & Family Reading Report compiled by Scholastic.  Data and statistics on kids and reading as well as technologies' affect on children and their reading habits.

Encouraging Reading:

•  A Tale of Two Tables blog entry by Donalyn Miller.  Excellent ideas on promoting reading during the summer and encouraging the use of fun and entertaining books for kids as opposed to literary giants.

Collaboration

• How to Foster a Cooperative Culture (article) by Lynda Gratton.  Information on how collaborating with your co-workers can help your organization prosper.             

Digital Media

• Digital Media and Learning News and resources on how digital media affect learning in children. Links to websites and resources on digital media as well.

Youth Services Grant Opportunities

• BWI Summer Reading Grant
• Letters About Literature Grant and grant information
• Books for Babies
• Nordstrom Books for Babies
• ALSC Candlewick Press Light the Way Grant
• Becthel Fellowship
• ALSC Distinguished Service Award
• Maureen Hayes Author/Illustrator Visit Award
• Penguin Young Readers Group Award
• Tandem Library Books Literature Program Award
• International Reading Association Awards and Grants
• Ezra Jack Keats Foundation Grants
• Jewish Women's Foundation 2010 Grants for programs for girls
• Slew of PLA grants ranging in size and scope
• Everyone Reads @ your library Grant