Literacy Opportunity Fund to help Nonprofit Organizations

The Literacy Opportunity Fund is a quarterly grantmaking initiative administered by ProLiteracy, a prominent national organization dedicated to advancing adult literacy in the United States. ProLiteracy, headquartered in Syracuse, New York, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to promote and support programs that empower adults through literacy education. This particular fund is generously supported by the Nora Roberts Foundation and is specifically designed to support the general operations of nonprofit organizations that work directly with adult learners in literacy programs. The fund provides grants of up to $6,000 to eligible U.S.-based nonprofit organizations that deliver literacy services directly to adult students. The funding is flexible and can be used for general operating expenses, which may include staff salaries, teacher stipends, supplies, equipment, and space rental. Additionally, organizations may use the funds to support the implementation of literacy projects or to develop new programming efforts aimed at improving adult literacy outcomes. However, initiatives such as book distributions and lending libraries are explicitly excluded from funding consideration. To be eligible, an organization must be a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit and possess a valid Employer Identification Number (EIN). It must also directly provide literacy instruction to adult learners and be located within the United States. Organizations that have received funding from the Literacy Opportunity Fund within the previous 12 months are not eligible to reapply until one full year has passed since their last award. Fiscal sponsorship arrangements are allowed if properly documented, and applications must be complete and detailed to be considered. Applications are accepted four times per year, with each funding round having specific open and close dates. The current cycle, Round 2, opened on September 1 and closed on October 1, with award decisions scheduled to be announced by November 30. Future cycles follow a similar quarterly cadence, with Round 3 opening on December 1 and closing January 3, and Round 4 opening on March 1 and closing April 1. Notifications of grant awards are sent via email approximately eight weeks following the close of each application round. The application process requires a brief 2–3 sentence summary that clearly states the nature of the literacy services offered, the population served, and how the requested funding will be used. Applicants are encouraged to review all application guidelines carefully and ensure that all required information is provided. For additional questions, prospective applicants can contact the grants manager at grants@proliteracy.org or call 1-888-528-2224. The Literacy Opportunity Fund exemplifies a recurring, impactful opportunity for small and large literacy organizations across the U.S. to strengthen their work and expand their reach in transforming adult lives through literacy education.

Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Clearly state the type of services, beneficiaries, and use of funds.