Books for Kids

    Why is Literacy So Important?

  • Literacy empowers
  • Literacy contributes to improving survival and parental health
  • Literacy helps fight poverty and spur economic growth
  • Literacy provides a foundation for success in school and in life

“More than 16 million children in the United States – 22% of all children – live in families with incomes below the federal poverty level – $23,550 a year for a family of four. Research shows that, on average, families need an income of about twice that level to cover basic expenses. Using this standard, 45% of children live in low-income families.” –National Center for Children in Poverty

The Rita Langworthy Foundation’s Books for Kids grant program was created in 2018 to help finance the purchasing of classroom and library books by public educators, libraries and schools, serving low-income and at-risk children. The Rita Langworthy Foundation makes grants to public educators, libraries, schools and education centers, who directly serve student populations in Flint, MI, the five boroughs of New York City, as well as nationwide. The Rita Langworthy Foundation has a commitment to public schools, nonprofit education centers, libraries and dedicated educators.

Potential grant recipients are screened to determine whether they effectively serve low-income and at-risk children. The Rita Langworthy Foundation Board of Directors conduct site visits (when possible) and interviews, analyze outcomes and financial data, perform supplementary research and check references to ensure that The Rita Langworthy Foundation is making a sound, smart investment.

The Rita Langworthy Foundation seeks to help fund the purchasing of classroom and library books in Flint, MI, New York, NY, and nationwide with the following characteristics:

  • Clear sense of mission and the steps needed to accomplish that mission
  • Strong, committed leadership
  • Existing evaluation procedures or willingness to evaluate and measure outcomes
  • Longitudinal data of on-going efforts
  • Commitment to, and knowledge of, the population served
  • High quality, dedicated staff

Applicants who do not wish to evaluate the outcomes of their efforts should not apply to The Rita Langworthy Foundation for funds.

SUPPORT PROVIDED

The Rita Langworthy Foundation considers requests (maximum $250) for classroom and library books that enrich and provide educational opportunities for low-income and at-risk children.

PROGRAMS WE DO NOT SUPPORT

The Rita Langworthy Foundation does not make grants to technical assistance providers, other funders, for profit education organizations, or for capital, renovation or general operating funds. The Rita Langworthy Foundation does not give grants to distribute propaganda, to attempt to influence legislation or the outcome of any public election or to engage in any activity that is not exclusively charitable or educational. The Rita Langworthy Foundation will not support organizations that discriminate against people seeking either services or employment based on race, sex, religion, age, sexual orientation or physical disability.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Applications are accepted year-round, and grant decisions will be made by The Rita Langworthy Foundation’s Board of Directors on a quarterly basis. Due to the high number of applications, The Rita Langworthy Foundation cannot guarantee that all applications will be considered by the Board at the first meeting after the application is received. If you submitted an application but were denied The Rita Langworthy Foundation funding in the past, please wait a minimum of one year from the date of denial before reapplying.

Please complete the entire application. If the application itself raises questions or poses difficulties, please feel free to contact us for clarification. Once the application has been submitted, you will receive a notice acknowledging its receipt. Please do not telephone us to ask about its status. We will let you know The Rita Langworthy Foundation’s decision as soon as possible, although decisions may take up to four months.

View our Frequently Asked Questions

To apply for a Rita Langworthy Foundation Books for Kids grant, CLICK HERE.

Questions about our grant making process can be directed here.