Literacy Champion Grants
The 2026 Literacy champion grants application OPEN January 5, 2026 - February 13, 2026.
The Literacy Coalition of Onondaga County invites nonprofit organizations serving Onondaga County residents to apply for the 2026 Literacy Champion Grants (LCG). These grants provide funding to support projects or events that align with the Literacy Coalition's mission of achieving literacy for all. The Coalition anticipates awarding grants by March 30, 2026.
Important Application Announcement
Beginning this year, all Literacy Champion grant applications will be collected through the Central New York Community Foundation’s online grants portal. This change will allow you to save and revisit your application over time, upload documents and videos, and collect fiscal sponsorship approvals.
Already registered as an applicant in CNYCF’s portal: If you or someone at your organization already registered in the portal on or after July 15, 2024, you do not need to create a new account. If you are unsure of your username, please contact the Community Investment team at grants@cnycf.org.
Not already registered as an applicant in CNYCF’s portal: If you or someone at your organization has not already registered in the portal on or after July 15, 2024, you will need to create a new account. Click here to view steps to create an account.
Tutorials and Additional Assistance: Tutorials on how to create an account and how to apply for a grant in the portal can be found at https://cnycf.org/cnycf-grants-portal/. Please direct any questions to Darrell Buckingham at dbuckingham@cnycf.org.
Eligibility and focus areas
● Applicants may submit proposals for new projects or events seeking funding for their launch or for existing projects or events that require funding to expand their overall program objectives.
● Proposals should focus on literacy or address the literacy needs of adults, children, and families.
● Projects/events should support and amplify one or more of the following goals:
· Adult Education Programs and Services: Includes GED class enrollment.
· Early Childhood Literacy Programs and Services: Includes enrollment in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
· Extracurricular Childhood and Youth Programs and Services: Includes summer learning initiatives.
· Family Literacy Programs and Services.
Grant Amounts
● Projects: Up to $10,000 per grant.
● Events: Up to $3,000 per grant.
Grant Recipient Requirements
● Applicants must be not-for-profit organizations serving Onondaga County residents.
● The Literacy Coalition does not fund grant requests to individuals or for candidates for political office or for building or construction projects or for debt reduction or capital campaigns.
● Projects or events must be completed by December 1, 2026.
● Organizations receiving grant awards are required to collect and report data on their project or event. Guidance will be provided by the Literacy Coalition.
● Final reports must be submitted within 30 days of project/event completion or by December 1, 2026, whichever is earlier.
Application Submission
Applicants must provide the following documents with their submission:
● A detailed project/event budget.
● The organization’s annual budget.
● Proof of 501(c)(3) status from the organization or its fiscal sponsor.
Application Deadline: February 13, 2026 at 5:00pm.
For additional information or questions, please contact Debbie Stack, Co-Chair, Literacy Coalition of Onondaga County at debbiestack202@gmail.com
On March 13, 2025, the Literacy Coalition of Onondaga County awarded $100,000 through its 2025 Literacy Champion Grants program to 19 local organizations.
The awards were made at a Champions Breakfast held 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.”
The diverse award-winning grant projects and events 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 including those with a focus on summer learning, and family literacy programs and services.
The full list of the grant recipients and the funded projects and events can be found below. Through initiatives such as the Literacy Champion 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 Coalition 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.