NATIONAL GRANT PROGRAM--GENERAL INFORMATION The goal of the national grant program is to develop and expand family literacy efforts nationwide, and to support the development of literacy programs that build families of readers. A total of approximately $650,000 is awarded each year; no grant exceeds $65,000. Family Literacy programs funded through the Foundation's National Grant Program must include all of the following components: Reading instruction for parents or primary care-givers (pre-GED/GED/ESL etc.) literacy or pre-literacy instruction for children Intergenerational activities where the parents/primary caregivers and children come together to learn and to read. Programs can also include additional components such as parent support groups, parent involvement, home visits, job training etc. CONTACT: Benita Somerfield (202) 955-6183 April 24, 2008 BARBARA BUSH FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES 2008 GRANT WINNERS WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy announced today that it has awarded a total of $647,029 to develop or expand ten programs that will improve the literacy skills of parents and their children. Since its inception in 1989, the Foundation has awarded over $30 million to almost 700 family literacy programs in 50 states including our nation’s capital. "I truly believe that being able to read, write, and comprehend are the keys to a successful and happy life," said Barbara Bush. "And a literate society is important to keeping our country strong and safe. Our goal and what these grants provide for, is to send children reading ready to their first day of school, and to equip parents with the literacy tools they need for success. There is no greater opportunity for quality time between parent and child than reading together." Ranging in size from $63,432 to $65,000, the ten winning grant applications were chosen from over 300 proposals, submitted by a wide variety of private non-profit and public organizations including libraries, correctional institutions, universities, housing projects, and public schools. This year's grant recipients will be announced at the Foundation's fourteenth annual fundraiser, A Celebration of Reading, which will be held today at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts in Houston. The evening will be hosted by George and Barbara Bush and stars authors: Jill Conner Browne, Amy Grant, Immaculee Ilibagiza, Jim Nantz, as well as other surprise guests. In addition to its national program, the Foundation also has 4 statewide family literacy initiatives in Maine, Texas, Florida and Maryland. These four initiatives are currently completing their respective grant competitions, and will announce their 2008 grants by June. For more information about the work of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, see our website: www.barbarabushfoundation.com The 2008 grants were awarded to the following organizations: Operation Bootstrap Lynn, MA The Connery Families Learn Together program will increase the chance of educational success for at-risk children. The program will provide twenty families from the Connery School ,a Title I school in Lynn,with comprehensive services including ESL classes for parents, early childhood classes for children, parenting classes, interactive literacy activities, and home visits. Unitah School District Vernal, UT The Unitah School District Family Literacy Project focuses on : early childhood education, adult education, parent education, and daily literacy activities in the home. This program will operate for 20 hours per week and include additional evening classes in order to meet the needs of the working population. Jefferson Parish Public Schools Systems Marrero, LA The Westbank Family Literacy Center program is an expansion of the Jefferson Parish Public Schools 16 year Even Start program. This program will serve between 15 to 20 Latino families who need ESL family literacy services as they transition into the Westbank community. Central Vermont Community Action Council, Inc. Barre, VT The Central Vermont Family Literacy Center is a multi-agency collaboration that will expand its adult and early education programs for parents with low literacy levels and their young children.. Families will receive services at the Center as well as home visits provided by qualified educators. Little Wound School Family and Child Education Program Kyle, SD The Keeping the Circle Strong program will provide families at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation with a take- home library of 100 books and two magazine subscriptions, as well as information and training to encourage parents to help their children become readers. Anchorage School District Anchorage, AK The Child in Transition/Homeless Family Literacy Project, a program of the Anchorage School District, will establish a culture of family literacy among homeless families. A Family Literacy Tutor/Specialist will provide weekly adult literacy instruction and intergenerational activities for families within the walls of a homeless shelter. Clay Community Schools Brazil, IN The Clay County Family Literacy Program will continue their successful Even Start Program for low literacy parents with children ages six weeks to 5 years. The program includes ABE/GED and high school classes for the parents, quality early childhood education for the children, interactive literacy activities for the families, and parent education. Lauderdale County School District Meridian, MS The Barbara Bush Literacy Connection program is an expansion of the Lauderdale County School District’s Family Resource Center. The program will serve 10-30 low income families that are in need of literacy skills, GED, high school diplomas, ABE and parenting classes . Township High School District 214 Community Education Foundation Arlington Heights, IL The Women’s and Children Center will serve 30 Latinas with very limited English and basic skills, as well as 35 pre-school children. The goal of this program is to educate these women to become economically independent, and to help them become their children’s first and most important teachers. Advocacy Outreach Elgin, TX The Advocacy Outreach Family Literacy Program will implement a project that integrates the components of adult education, early childhood education, and intergenerational literacy activities. The goals of the project are to increase the English language and literacy skills of parents; to prepare parents to be their children’s first teachers; and to help children develop the academic skills needed to succeed as life-long learners. Please note that if you are looking for information regarding our State Family Literacy Initiatives in Maine, Florida, Maryland and Texas, and their application processes, please go to the State Literacy Initiatives section of our website. Below we have a list of Frequently Asked Questions about our National Grant Cycle. Please refer to this list before contacting the Foundation. Thank you! Frequently Asked Questions Receiving/Submitting Applications When is the year 2008 grant application due? By the close of business, September 7, 2007. Late applications will be considered ineligible. Can you fax me a copy of the Guidelines? We do not fax the guidelines. We will however put a copy of the guidelines in the mail to you the day you request them. You can also download them from our website, www.barbarabushfoundation.com Can I fax my completed application to the Foundation? Due to the length of the application and the number of applications we receive we cannot accept faxed material. Can I use an old BBFFL application? No, due to changes in the Guidelines and application forms, we will accept only year 2008 applications. Writing/Compiling Applications Can letters of support be sent separately? No, letters of support will not be considered if sent under separate cover. Can we exceed six, double-spaced pages for the narrative? As stated in the Guidelines, there is a six-page limit to the narrative. Applications that go over this limit will be considered ineligible. Try to be as concise as possible. Can I include single-spaced charts/tables in my narrative? Single-spaced charts are fine but they need to be legible. The amount of single spaced information should be minimal (no more than one page). Should we include a cover letter? No, it is not necessary to include a cover letter. As stated in the Guidelines the entire application packet should not exceed 18 pages. Applications that go over this limit will be considered ineligible. What do you mean by measurable objectives? We are looking for clearly stated instructional objectives, e.g. reading skills gains, GEDs, as well as clearly stated family and life skill objectives, e.g. parents reading more to children, families getting library cards, increased parental involvement in school, employment, etc. It is critical that instruments and strategies for measuring the achievement of your objectives are included in your proposal. Cover Sheet My organization does not fit into any of the types listed in the instructions. Use the OTH (other) category. My organization can be defined by several categories. Which should we choose? Choose the category that is most descriptive. For example, if you are both LLA (Laubach) and a CBO (community based organization) choose LLA. No one is available who can sign the Cover Sheet. The Cover Sheet must be signed by an authorized official of your organization. For schools, a superintendent usually signs, in some cases a principal. Attachments I want to send an organizational newsletter, brochure, etc. as an attachment, but it will not fit within the required number of 8 pages allowed for the attachments. Brochures, newsletters, etc. will be counted as one page. However, be aware that when copies are made for our reviewers, we also only copy the first page. Do attachments need to be double-spaced? No, as stated in the Guidelines, attachments do not have to be double-spaced. What needs to be included in the attachments? As stated in the Guidelines, required documents include letters of support from collaborating organizations, key staff resumes or job descriptions, and a site authorization, if other than applicant. Other materials that would assist the Foundation in considering your application may also be included. Do not include narrative related information in the appendices, e.g., objectives, evaluation design, schedules. Budget Is there a maximum percentage that is acceptable for indirect costs? No, the Foundation sets no limit on indirect costs. What is the difference between In-Kind and Other contributions? In-Kind Contributions include non-cash contributions such as food, books, program site, etc. These contributions can come from the organization writing the grant proposal or others, e.g. local newspaper, partner organization, etc. Other Contributions include money that comes from federal, state, or local government, foundations, and community organizations to help support this program. Both categories refer only to contributions to the proposed project. Is software considered a capital expenditure? No. Equipment, vehicles, computers, etc. fit this category and should not exceed 15% of your proposed budget. Should my budget represent the budget for the entire organization or only the proposed project? Your budget should represent only the budget for the project that you are proposing to the Foundation. Is there a maximum percentage of Foundation funds that can be used for salaries? No, the Foundation sets no limits on salaries. What is a statement of fiscal accountability? Acceptable statements of fiscal accountability may include audited financial statements, tax returns, or other "official" certification of financial status. However, remember that you are limited in the number of attachments and pages of narrative you can have. For a complete listing and description of all National Grantee Programs, please send requests to The Barbara Bush Foundation.

Last Update: April 25,2008
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