Literacy Opportunity Grant Program

The Literacy Opportunity Fund is a grant initiative managed by ProLiteracy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to improving adult literacy outcomes in the United States. ProLiteracy works to advance the cause of adult education through a variety of funding, resources, and programming initiatives. This fund is specifically made possible through generous financial support from the Nora Roberts Foundation. The primary aim of the Literacy Opportunity Fund is to strengthen adult literacy organizations by offering financial support for their general operations or targeted literacy initiatives. The fund provides grants of up to $6,000 to eligible U.S.-based nonprofit organizations engaged in direct service to adult learners. Organizations may use the awarded funds for general operating expenses such as salaries, teacher stipends, space rental, supplies, equipment, and other operational costs. Additionally, grants can also be applied toward specific literacy-focused projects, events, or the development of new programming. Importantly, the fund excludes support for book distribution or lending libraries, and grants are limited to nonprofits that offer direct literacy instruction. To qualify, applicant organizations must hold valid 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and possess an Employer Identification Number (EIN). State tax exemptions do not fulfill this requirement. Organizations must operate within the United States and should not have already received a Literacy Opportunity Fund grant within the same calendar year. If an organization is not a 501(c)(3) itself, it may still apply through a related 501(c)(3), provided the relationship is clearly explained within the application. Applications are accepted quarterly, with submission deadlines on January 3, April 1, July 1, and October 1 each year. The application portal becomes available one month before each deadline. After submission, organizations can expect to receive award notifications approximately eight weeks later via email. Given the recurring nature of the fund, organizations may plan for future rounds if their current applications are not successful or if they have not yet applied during the year. The application requires a brief summary of the organization's literacy services, the target audience served, and how the grant will be used to support or expand its efforts. There is no mention of pre-application requirements, such as Letters of Intent or preliminary proposals. While specific application tips are not listed, applicants are encouraged to review the scope of fundable activities and clearly articulate the purpose of the grant in their proposals. For more information or questions related to the grant process, organizations are encouraged to contact the grant administrator directly via email at grants@proliteracy.org or by phone at 1-888-528-2224. The administrative office of ProLiteracy is located at 308 Maltbie Street, Suite 100, Syracuse, NY 13204. Applicants should check the organization’s website in advance of each funding round for application access and updates.