This grant provides $500 to support literacy goals. Successful applicants will select from a menu of options and explain in their proposal how they will use grant components to stimulate interest and enthusiasm for literacy activities. 

You must submit your application by the first of the month, and you will be notified of the award decision by the 15th of the same month. Projects and events must completed within three months of the application award date. 

Eligibility:

• Must be based in New Hampshire or Vermont.
• Must be able to demonstrate need of a given community and population.
• At least 35% of the children you serve must come from low-income families.
• Must be able to impact at least 30 children from 0 to age 12 (or sixth grade).
• Projects and events need to be completed within three months of the award date.

A complete application will include:

• A statement of support from the school principal. 
• A statement of support from the local public library.
• A statement of support from the school librarian (if your school has one; not necessary if the school librarian is filling out the application).
• Statements of support from your school's literacy interventionist and/or other educators (optional, but strongly encouraged).
• Any additional materials that demonstrate the school’s need for supplementary literacy programming and/or the creative, enthusiastic ways that the school staff will help this initiative to succeed.
• Final statement: CLiF may ask grant finalists to submit a one-page final statement summing up their commitment to Year of the Book programs.

All grant applicants will be notified no later than April 1, 2026.    

WHAT CLiF ASKS OF GRANT RECIPIENTS IN THE CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR - SPRING 2026 

Schools that receive Year of the Book grants are asked to facilitate their grant’s success by completing the following activities before the end of the current school year: 

• Local Coordinator(s): Schools must select a local coordinator or co-coordinators. The coordinator(s) will be CLiF’s primary contact and it is crucial they have the capacity and energy for this project. They will work with the school and a local advisory committee to organize, schedule, and report on events and programs. The coordinator(s) may be a school administrator, educator, or librarian. CLiF will pay the coordinator a stipend of $800 for the year for their efforts (co-coordinators will split it). 
• Advisory Committee: CLiF asks the local coordinator to assemble a committee of teachers, staff, parents, administration, and/or community members to help with event planning and promotion and with maintaining momentum after the grant period.
• Attendance at the CLiF Community Literacy Conference on March 26, 2026: Save the date! Registration is free for two school representatives to attend at the Lake Morey Resort in Fairlee, VT. 
• Grant Kickoff Meeting: In April, May or early June 2026, CLiF will set up meetings with local coordinator(s), advisory committee, principal, and staff involved with the planning process. At this meeting, CLiF staff will work with your school to plan the fall kickoff event, brainstorm an initial calendar of events for the upcoming year, and answer any questions.