An Indianapolis nonprofit wants to reward parents who have creative ideas for teaching kids how to read.
The Mind Trust opened its annual Go Farther Literacy Fund grant program on Sept. 3.
The program, now in its fifth year, awards support to families and community organizations that support reading education at a small, grassroots level.
The grants range from $150 to $5,000 and have been used in the past to support small-scale projects like home libraries and emerging community resources such as a bilingual book exchange.
[With help, Indy families bring home books kids want to read]
The program is open to Center Township parents and families as well as teachers, schools and community organizations. The Mind Trust has awarded $180,000 in grants since the program’s first year in 2020. Four dozen recipients have been families.
Their grant awards come at a time when improving Hoosier kids’ ability to read is a top priority for state education officials. Despite slight gains this year, nearly one in five Indiana students are not passing the state’s third grade reading exam.
A selection committee working on behalf of The Mind Trust will consider project submissions that specifically seek to help high-needs students grow their reading skills. That includes students who have experienced poverty or housing instability, or who are currently unhoused or are foster youth.
This also includes children who are English Language Learners or recent immigrants to the United States, as well as children who have individualized education plans or are academically below grade level.
Applicants will be asked to describe a budget for their project as well as their goals for improving children’s literacy outcomes.
The nonprofit will accept online applications through 11:59 p.m. Nov. 4. To learn more and apply, visit the Mind Trust’s website.
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