Year of the Book Grant Program

The Children's Literacy Foundation (CLiF) offers the "Year of the Book" grant program, which aims to support literacy initiatives in schools across Vermont and New Hampshire. This flagship grant program provides a combination of literacy programming, support, and new children's books over the course of a school year to foster a culture of literacy. It primarily targets public schools with a high percentage of students who qualify for free or reduced lunch and those whose literacy assessment scores are below proficient. The program has been operational since its inception and has impacted 115 public elementary schools in both states. Each school selected for the Year of the Book grant receives up to $25,000 worth of literacy programming and books over two years. This includes various literacy-related programs throughout the school year, new high-quality children's books for each student, and follow-up support in the form of a "Momentum Grant" for future years. The Momentum Grant, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, is provided in the 2026-27 school year. The primary goal of the program is to supplement existing literacy efforts, foster enthusiasm for reading, and ensure children have access to books at home. CLiF also encourages greater parental involvement in literacy activities. Eligible schools must be located in New Hampshire or Vermont, with at least 35% of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch and at least 30% of students performing below proficient in literacy assessments. The program targets students in grades PreK to 6, with middle schools eligible for grades 5 and 6. Schools with over 250 students will need to select which grades will benefit from the grant, while schools with fewer than 75 students can apply for a "small school grant" that offers a scaled-down version of the program. CLiF selects schools based on a variety of criteria, including the demonstrated need for literacy support, the geographic location of the school, and the enthusiasm and collaboration of the school staff. The foundation also considers a clear understanding of how the grant will benefit students and their families. An enthusiastic and organized individual from the school must serve as the grant coordinator, who will collaborate with CLiF to plan and organize the activities. This individual is offered a stipend of $800 for the year. The application for the 2025-2026 cycle is due by March 17, 2025, and recipients will be notified by April 1, 2025. Schools that have previously received the Year of the Book grant must wait a minimum of five years from the end of their grant cycle before reapplying.