Literacy Champion Grants
The 2025 Literacy champion grant application NOW OPEN.
The Literacy Coalition of Onondaga County invites not-for-profit organizations serving Onondaga County residents to apply for its Literacy Champion Grants. The Literacy Champion Grants (LCG) are awarded to organizations seeking funding to support projects or events that align with the Literacy Coalition’s mission of achieving literacy for all.
Applications for the LCG will be considered for projects or events that focus directly on literacy or indirectly impact the literacy needs of adults, children, and families. The Literacy Coalition will accept applications for new projects or events that require funding to launch and existing projects or events that demonstrate a need for funding to expand the overall program objectives.
The Coalition anticipates awarding grants by March 15, 2025. Grant awards for projects do not typically exceed $10,000. Awards for events do not typically exceed $3,500. The Coalition may consider supporting other projects throughout the year, based on funding availability. All grant recipients must complete their projects or events no later than December 1, 2025. Grantees are required to submit their final reports within 30 days of conclusion of their projects or events or no later than December 1, 2025, whichever comes first.
How do I apply?
Apply online, now. Click here.
When seeking a grant, please consider the following:
Applications should be clear and concise
Projects/events should focus directly on literacy or indirectly impact the literacy needs of adults, children, and/or families
Projects/events should align with the Literacy Coalition’s mission
Projects/events should align with one or more of the Literacy Coalition’s goals of supporting:
Adult education programs and services, including enrollment in GED classes;
Early childhood literacy programs and services, including enrollment in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library;
Extracurricular childhood and youth programs and services, including summer learning;
Family literacy programs and services.
Who can seek a grant?
Not-for-profit organizations serving Onondaga County residents are invited to apply for the Literacy Champion Grants. If the applying organization is not an IRS recognized 501c(3) nonprofit, the applying organization must secure a fiscal sponsor.
When will awards be made?
The deadline for grant application submissions is at 5 p.m. February 14, 2025. Grants are anticipated to be awarded by March 15, 2025.
How much are the awards?
Grant awards for programs do not typically exceed $10,000. Awards for events do not typically exceed $3,500.
Are there any restrictions?
In general, the Literacy Coalition does not fund requests for:
Grants to individuals or for candidates for political office;
Grants for building or construction projects or for debt reduction or capital campaigns.
Required documents to submit with grant applications
Attached to each LCG application must be:
1. A detailed project/event budget;
2. An annual budget of the applying organization;
3. Proof of 501(c)3 status from the applying organization or its fiscal sponsor.
Applications will not be reviewed until the above items have been submitted.
Please note: The Literacy Coalition requires that organizations receiving awards collect and report data on the project. More guidance will be given at a mandatory meeting in March, for all 2025 grant recipients.
If you have any questions, please contact us at lcocgrants@gmail.com.
On March 14, 2024, the Literacy Coalition of Onondaga County awarded $100,000 through its 2024 Literacy Champion Grants program to 19 local organizations. The award ceremony was held at 10:30 a.m. at the Central New York Community Foundation’s Philanthropy Center Community Ballroom, 431 E. Fayette St., Syracuse, New York.
"Supporting these exceptional organizations across Onondaga County is paramount in elevating literacy across all stages of life," emphasized Debbie Stack, Literacy Coalition Co-Chair. "The Literacy Coalition of Onondaga County firmly believes in the transformative power of literacy, as it opens doors to endless opportunities, empowers individuals to unlock their full potential, and serves as the bedrock for a brighter future.”
“By investing in literacy, we are investing in the strength and prosperity of our community, project by project," added Stack.
The diverse award-winning grant projects align with the Literacy Coalition's core goal of promoting literacy across the lifespan. The work of grant recipients will encompass a wide range of initiatives, including adult education programs and services, early childhood literacy and development, extracurricular childhood and youth programs with a focus on summer learning, and family literacy programs and services. The full list of the grant recipients and the funded projects can be found at here.
Through initiatives such as the Literacy Champions Grants and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, the Literacy Coalition of Onondaga County remains steadfast in its commitment to collectively build and support diverse literacy initiatives throughout the Onondaga County community. The Coalition is grateful for the support of the Central New York Community Foundation Community Foundation, the County of Onondaga, City of Syracuse, the United Way of Central New York, and other donors and partners who make its literacy work possible.
The Literacy Coalition of Onondaga County is composed of non-profit organizations and various stakeholders across Central New York, including the Central New York Community Foundation, the United Way of Central New York, and Onondaga County. Following a convening of over 200 community members in extensive planning sessions in 2007 and 2008, the Literacy Coalition of Onondaga County was formed. Today, the Literacy Coalition of Onondaga County supports a network of advocates working to achieve literacy for all. Coalition efforts include the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, Adult Education Round Table, and Literacy Champion Grants, among others. The vision of the coalition is to develop resources, cultivate initiatives, and engage a thriving community where everyone reads and everyone succeeds. Learn more at onliteracy.org.