The Oakland Literacy Coalition (OLC) is offering Reading Everywhere Action Grants to support Oakland-based community organizations, faith-based groups, childcare providers, cultural groups, and individual literacy champions who promote literacy for Oakland youth ages 0–18 outside of school time. The program is part of OLC’s Reading Everywhere initiative, which seeks to foster a culture of reading not only in schools but also in homes, parks, places of worship, afterschool programs, and throughout the community.
The Summer 2025 grant cycle opens on April 15, 2025, and applications must be submitted by May 9, 2025, at 11:59 PM. Projects must be completed by August 22, 2025, and grantees must attend a required online orientation during the week of June 2–6, 2025. Each participating student must receive at least one new book, which grantees will pick up from the OLC office between June 9–27, 2025. A final short report is due by September 12, 2025.
Grant amounts are based on the number of students served and the scope of the project, with individual grants up to $250 available to cover project-related expenses such as food, author visits, supplies, and more. Additionally, OLC will provide free books for students. Examples of supported projects include family literacy nights, comic book clubs, and literacy play activities for young children.
Eligible projects must serve Oakland youth, involve a literacy or reading component, and encourage family engagement. Priority is given to new or expanded projects, those reaching underserved populations, and projects that meaningfully incorporate reading and literacy activities.
Schools and school-based programs are not eligible for Action Grants, but community-based and informal groups without a formal literacy mission are encouraged to apply. Projects that promote literacy in languages other than English are welcomed.
Applicants are encouraged to be creative, and assistance is available from OLC staff, including Julia at julia@oaklandliteracycoalition.org.
