The Martha Scott Ross Literacy Fund

The Martha Scott Ross Literacy Fund was established in August 2022 by Richard Ross and their daughters, Sarah Knoll and Amy Ross, in memory of Martha Scott Ross, a dedicated educator and librarian. The fund honors Martha’s legacy by supporting literacy initiatives that reflect her passion for inclusive, student-centered learning environments. Administered by The Community Foundation, this grant program provides annual funding to Librarians and Media Specialists working in public schools across Stafford County, Spotsylvania County, and Fredericksburg City. The fund is designed to enhance literacy education across diverse populations by promoting reading, writing, speaking, listening, and visual learning for students of varying abilities, backgrounds, and learning styles. The program encourages projects that create age-appropriate, safe, and welcoming environments for multicultural and multilingual student communities. Proposals that incorporate family outreach or foster a lifelong love of learning in supportive, non-threatening spaces are particularly welcomed. The fund embraces a wide range of creative literacy strategies and encourages proposals that are responsive to the unique cultural and educational needs of the applicant’s student population. Applications for the 2025–2026 school year open on September 15, 2025, and must be submitted by 5:00 PM on October 20, 2025. Award notifications are expected around November 24, 2025. Grant recipients must use their funds within ten months of award disbursement. Although the fund adheres to The Community Foundation’s general grantmaking principles, it specifically targets educational professionals in library and media roles. Those seeking guidance on crafting strong proposals may consult Casey Hu, Director of Donor Services, for assistance via email or phone.