The Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) has announced the Early Literacy Grants Program to support early literacy efforts by providing children birth to age five with books.

The Early Literacy Grant Program receives books through partnerships with Mankato-based publishing companies, ABDO and Capstone.

Priorities

Priority in funding will be given to projects that: 

• Strengthen parental awareness of early literacy needs including communication and language development. 
• Target diverse and at-risk populations that may not be receiving books through any other avenues in the community.
• Diverse populations: based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or physical disability. 

Offer new and creative ways to reach diverse and at-risk families. 

Collaborate with other organizations to provide literacy enhancements.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applications must be submitted by an IRS-designated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, a unit or agency of government or a public institution. 
• Proposal must benefit SMIF’s 20-county region.
• Books must be distributed within one year of the grant award date. 
• Projects that include a parent education component are encouraged.

For more information, visit SMIF.