Looking for Good Books for Young Readers?

The National Endowment for the Humanities has some fantastic nonfiction book lists for young readers, sorted by age level. Click here to see their book lists.

The American Library Association also has a wide variety of book lists for all ages on their website. For adults, try the Andrew Carnegie Awards: Best Of Fiction and Nonfiction or the Notable Books List. For young adults, look over the dozens of book lists on the YALSA Awards and Book Lists page. For kids, check out the ALSC Children’s Notable Lists or the ALSC Book and Media Awards.

Costco Wholesale

Grant name: Warehouse Donation. Focuses on charitable programs and community activities in the markets where they do business.

Grant goal: “In keeping with Costco Wholesale’s giving guidelines our warehouses and regional offices specifically support programs focusing on children, education and health and human services.”

Grant amount: Starting at $50. Generally, Costco does not grant funds of more than 10% of the total program budget.

Grant cycle: Costco Wholesale accepts and reviews requests throughout the year.

Other considerations: The Grant Package includes: Grant Application and Cover Letter. “A lead time of at least 3 months, prior to your program or event, will allow timely consideration of request.”

Links:

• PDF Application
• E-mail completed grant application and supporting documentation to: communityrelations@costco.com

Jaycees Foundation

Grant name: National and State grants. Many states have a local Jaycees funding program; if not, one can be found at the national level.

Grant goal: In the case of the Minnesota Jaycees, “Projects will be selected based on community impact and/or furthering the Jaycee movement.”

Grant amount: In the case of the Minnesota Jaycees, “Grant amounts will not exceed the project budget and the grant money must only be used for the project described in the request. If the project is not completed, the grant funds must be returned.” Grants submitted should be for a minimum of $250.

Grant cycle: In the case of the Minnesota Jaycees, priority is given to first year projects. Projects submitted must be completed during the current Jaycee year.

Other considerations: Google your state name and “Jaycees” to find out if your state has a Jaycees chapter.

Links:

• Minnesota Jaycees Charitable Foundation Grants
• Minnesota online grant application
• National U.S. Jaycees Foundation grant application

Junior League

Grant name: Community Grants. These programs are offered through the Junior League in some major metropolitan areas and vary from city to city in granting mission. The Junior League of Washington DC, for instance, solely focuses on financial and volunteer support of literacy-focused programs, contests, and scholarship opportunities.

Grant goal: In the case of the Junior League of Washington DC (JLW), Targeted Community Grants address the following literary concerns for children: “1)Lack of reading materials at home 2)Lack of reading materials and resources in school classrooms and libraries. 3)Lack of exposure to reading aloud.” Program example: Resolution Read is a JLW initiative that puts new books in the hands of children who might not otherwise have access to them. Annually, the JLW provided more than 3,500 new books to children across the Washington DC community.

Grant amount: In the case of JLW, $1,000 and under.

Grant cycle: In the case of JLW, letter of intent due by September 16. Semifinalists selected by mid-October. Full application due November 15.

Other considerations: Google your city and “Junior League” to to find out if your area has a Junior League chapter, or visit the Junior Leagues map.

Links:

• Junior League of Washington

Kiwanis Clubs

Grant name: Kiwanis Family Grant / Children’s Fund. These programs are not accepting grant applications at this time, but will unveil a new club grant program October 1, 2017.

Grant goal: Serving the children of the world and “other needs within the community, such as working to stop substance abuse, helping the elderly, promoting literacy, supporting youth sports and recreation, responding to disasters, and supporting specific persons in need.”

Grant amount: Wide range of amounts depending on whether it’s club, district, national, or international.

Grant cycle: Not available until new program is launched the Fall 2017. Suggest focusing on the city or district level for funding.

Other considerations: “Key aspects to operating an effective club include: *Evaluating both children’s issues and community needs on an ongoing basis. *Conducting service projects to respond to those identified needs. *Maintaining an active membership roster of professional business people who have both the desire and the ability to serve their community.”

Links:

• Kiwanis Club Grant program

Rotary International

Grant name: District Grants. Sponsored by at least one Rotary club or district in the area where the grant project will take place (primary host sponsor).

Grant goal: District grants fund small-scale, short-term activities that address needs in your community and communities abroad. Each district chooses which activities it will fund with these grants.

Grant amount: Starting at $250.

Grant cycle: Varies from district to district.

Other considerations: “If the club is seeking district grant funding, one can apply directly to their district. Individual districts administer their own district grant programs. Check with the specific district to find out about available funding, application forms and guidelines, deadlines, and any other requirements.”

Links:

• Rotary district grants

Target Foundation

Grant name: Arts

Grant goal: Target supports programs that provide accessible and affordable arts and cultural experiences to the community through general operating grants. Target Foundation welcomes applications from organizations in the seven-county Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn., metropolitan area that are classified 501(c)(3) by the IRS.

Grant amount: Up to $5,000.

Grant cycle: The Target Foundation accepts Arts grant applications between noon (CST) Jan. 3 and noon (CST) Feb. 3 each year.

Other considerations: Target requires applicants to register online with the Minnesota Cultural Data Project (CDP) before applying for Foundation funding. Contact MN CDP with any questions about data, financial terms, or reports. Call Toll Free: 877-707-DATA (877-707-3282). Email: help@culturaldata.org

Links:

• Target Foundation grants

US Bank Foundation

Grant name: Community Possible Grant Program – Play

Grant goal: “Play brings joy. It is beneficial for problem solving, creativity, and relationships. Play is just as necessary for adults as it is for kids, but in low-income areas there are often limited spaces for play and fewer people attending arts and cultural activities. That’s why we invest in community programming that supports ways for children and adults to play and create.”

Grant amount: Unknown

Grant cycle: Applications accepted February 1 – March 15 each year.

Other considerations: Application made through CyberGrants.

Links:

• Community Possible Grant Program grant application

Walmart Foundation

Grant name: Community Grants Program

Grant goal: “Walmart believes in operating globally and giving back locally – creating impact in the neighborhoods where we live and work.”

Grant amount: Awarded grants range from $250 to $2,500.

Grant cycle: The 2017 grant cycle begins Feb. 1, 2017 and the application deadline to apply is Dec. 31, 2017. Application may be submitted at any time during funding cycle.

Other considerations: Organizations must submit an online application to be considered for funding. Please note that applications will only remain active for 90 days, and at the end of this period they will be automatically rejected.

Links:

• Community grant program