We’re excited to see increased investment in the preK-to-third grade frame as more foundations recognize the importance of the third grade
reading milestone. Some grants represent a continuation of good work, while others are tied directly to the Campaign’s effort to spread the word about
early literacy. Here’s a sampling of grants large and small supporting early reading:

• The McKnight Foundation has committed nearly $6 million to two Twin Cities school districts to increase third grade reading proficiency. Prior to receiving the grants, the two Minnesota districts worked with the University of Chicago’s Urban Education Institute for a year to examine the full scope of research on preK-third grade education, and how best to use the grant dollars to boost literacy.
• The Grossman Family Foundation awarded $200,000 to one of our Bright Spot programs, Reach Out and Read. The funds will support the expansion of the organization’s early literacy efforts in Fairfield County, Conn. Three cities in this county – Bridgeport, Danbury, and Norwalk – have submitted their Community Solutions Action Plans for the All-America City Grade-Level Reading Awards.
• Also in Connecticut, the New Alliance Foundation has developed a grant program called READy for the Grade. The initiative will award between $90,000 and $150,000 to public libraries for programs addressing grade-level reading and summer learning loss. READy for the Grade has requested proposals from public libraries in 42 towns, and the programs developed will be funded from summer 2013 to the summer 2015.
• The Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust has funded the creation of a literacy director position for the state of Arizona. The director will be a dedicated expert supporting Arizona’s literacy directives and ensuring that all children are learning to read. The Trust, along with the Helios Education Foundation and the Arizona Community Foundation, is involved with a state-wide early literacy campaign.