Currently, this grant is only open to NH applicants.
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. All CLiF former grantees are eligible to apply as long it has been at least three years since your last grant ended (2022 or earlier).
The Spark grant applications will be reviewed monthly. 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 need to be completed within four months of the application date. No activities/events will be funded past June 30, 2025.
Eligibility:
- Open to anyone who has received a CLiF grant in the past (2022 or earlier)
- Must be based in New Hampshire
- Must be able to demonstrate need of a given community and population
- 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 four months of the application date
The CLiF Literacy Enrichment Grant is a flexible grant designed to make reading and writing come alive for kids. This grant is all about infusing literacy with FUN! The Literacy Enrichment Grant offers $1000 in funding that can be used for project-oriented or experiential learning opportunities that bring literacy to life. The goals of this grant are to create excitement around literacy; encourage an appreciation of alternative learning opportunities; engage with parents/caregivers around literacy; inspire children to try new things; and enrich young people’s lives with literacy.
An organization, program, school, or library must meet these requirements to apply:
- Community/nonprofit organizations, youth-serving programs, libraries, childcare/early education centers, or schools located in New Hampshire or Vermont.
- Your project must serve a community with at least 35% of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch.
- Your application must show how you will partner with CLiF’s target audience of children ages 0-12 in under-resourced or under-represented communities.
- At least 30 kids must participate in the program, either virtually or in-person.
- Organizations with an enthusiastic and organized coordinator willing to collaborate with CLiF on planning, organizing, and communicating about your project.
- The proposed project, event, field trip, etc. must connect directly with literacy/building engagement with reading/writing. Events and expenses must be completed by June 30, 2025.
How CLiF Will Select Grant Recipients
Criteria include:
- Demonstrated need and excitement
- Enthusiasm, creativity, and collaboration exhibited by the partner
- Clear demonstration of how this grant will benefit students and their communities
- Past CLiF grant history & geographic location
Questions should be sent to Cassie Willner, Program Manager, cassie@clifonline.org.
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, 2025.
WHAT CLiF ASKS OF GRANT RECIPIENTS IN THE CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR - SPRING 2025
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 April 4, 2025: Save the date! This will be time for your Year of the Book cohort to meet in person and learn about what's to come. Registration is free for two school representatives to attend at the Lake Morey Resort in Fairlee, VT. Those are not selected for the Year of the Book grant are still welcome (and encouraged!) to attend at no cost.
- Informational Kickoff Meeting: In May or June 2025, CLiF will set up meetings (either in-person or virtually) at each sponsored school to meet the 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.