For many public libraries, grants are a vital revenue stream. And when funding is limited, grants become highly competitive. Every library and even every grant writer has their own strategy. I encourage everyone to try their hand at grant writing, even if you’ve never written one before. As the facilitator of your program, you are best equipped to tell that program’s story, and convey your library’s need.
What type of program are you trying to fund? Research what grants are available to you, and make sure that what you’re asking for fits the selection criteria of the grant being awarded. If you have a program that fits the “Light the Way” grant, I encourage you to review our previous grant winners to see if you can identify what made that winning program stand out from the rest of the applicants.
Here are a few tips to consider when grant writing. Work with your program staff to be sure your information is up to date and relevant. Avoid rhetoric and hyperbole. Try to provide anecdotes and testimonies that demonstrate need or previous success. Be specific about outputs and outcomes. The proposal should explicitly state expected practical, tangible outcomes. Don’t be afraid to be realistic about your expectations! Make sure to adhere to the formatting and content requirements laid out in the grant application instructions. Proposals not meeting the stated requirements will often not be considered.
Do your research! There are countless publications that can help you through the grant writing process, several are published by ALA.
Is our “Light the Way” grant not the best fit? Check out these other amazing opportunities:
- Ezra Jack Keats Foundation Mini-Grants offers funding of up to $500 to provide creative, innovative programs that support or extend the Common Core Standards in education.
- Need help developing your collection? The Libri Foundation was established in 1989 for the sole purpose of helping rural libraries acquire new, quality, hardcover children’s books they could not otherwise afford to buy.
- NEA Big Read is accepting applications from libraries and non-profit organizations to develop community-wide reading programs between September 2017 and June 2018. NEA Big Read is a national program that broadens our understanding of our world, our communities, and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book.
- The Lisa Libraries donates new children’s books and small libraries to organizations that work with kids in poor and under-served areas.
Best of luck with your submissions!
Lesley Mason is the Library Director for the Caldwell County Public Library. She is currently the chair of the ALCS’s Library Service to Special Population Children and Their Caregivers Committee. She earned her Master’s Degree in Library Science from Clarion University. She specializes in Early Literacy and can be reached at lmason@caldwellcountync.org