"The home is the child's first school,
the parent is the child's first teacher,
and reading is the child's first subject."




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Dear Friends,

Thank you for visiting the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy website. 

Since our Foundation’s launch over 20 years ago, we have awarded $34 million to support the development and expansion of 773 family literacy programs in all 50 states including the District of Columbia. And, many of our programs have continued their important work with money from other sources long after our Foundation’s one-year grant has finished. 

Family literacy programs are so important!  The staff, teachers and volunteers at these programs help parents and their children learn and read together, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to thrive in all aspects of their lives.

Thanks to the support of our generous donors and the excellent work of literacy providers across the United States, our Foundation has truly been able to help make a meaningful difference in countless lives. However, there are still millions of adults in the United States who do not have the literacy skills they need. And so, we will continue support family literacy programs across America.

I encourage to you help!  You can volunteer at a local literacy program, or mentor a child.  Together we can all work to ensure that literacy is a value in every American home. 

Warmly,

Our Mission

The mission of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy is: To establish literacy as a value in every family in America, by helping every family  the nation understand that the home is the child's first school, that the parent is the child's first teacher, and that reading is the child's first subject; and to break the intergenerational cycle of illiteracy, by supporting the development of family literacy programs where parents and children can learn and read together.
 

JUST ANNOUNCED

The 2010 Grant Competition Of The First Lady's Family Literacy Initiative for Texas 

The First Lady’s Family Literacy Initiative for Texas, a program of The Barbara Bush Texas Fund for Family Literacy, announces its 2010 grant competition. Laura Bush, who founded this Initiative when she was first lady of Texas, continues to serve as Honorary Chair. The Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy and Learning (TCALL) at Texas A&M University provides technical assistance to the family literacy programs funded each year.  To learn more visit The First Lady's Family Literacy Initiative for Texas.

The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy is now live on Facebook

Become a fan of the "Barbara Bush Foundation" fanpage and be the first to hear breaking news from the Foundation and the Celebration of Reading.

2010 Maryland Grant Program

The deadline has passed for the 2010 Maryland Grant competition.  We are no longer taking applications however the 2011 cycle will be announced next fall.  Thank you for your interest and we hope you will consider applying next year.

National Grant Program:  April 2010 Announcement

The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy thanks you for your interest in our 2010 National Grant competition.  We are no longer taking applications at this time however, the 2011 cycle will be announced in July 2010. 

The Foundation's grant-making program seeks to develop or expand projects designed to support the development of literacy skills for adult primary care givers and their children.  A total of approximately $650,000 will be awarded in late April.
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Latest News

g The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy announced today the publication of Celebrating Family Literacy for 20 Years: Selected Case Studies 1989-2009.

This handbook showcases nine highly effective family literacy programs, which are representative of the more than 700 programs funded by the Foundation across the country over the past two decades.  Read our press release to learn more.

g  NPR: Mrs. Bush Sees Promise in 'Precious'

Listen to Mrs. Bush's interview and understand why the fight for literacy continues to top America's priorities.

g UPDATED: Breaking News from Texas: Houston Celebration of Reading honored as an Outstanding Fundraising Program for 2009. 

 

Beth Sanders Moore, Barbara Bush, Scott McClelland



Photo:  FNC

g  In an Exclusive New Interview, Barbara Bush Discusses Her passion for Literacy and Reading
On the eve of the 2009 Celebration of Reading Houston, FOX News' Greta van Susteran talks with Mrs. Bush about literacy, and with President and Mrs. Bush about their lives today. 

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Mark Your Calendar...

Celebration of Reading Houston 2010

The next Celebration of Reading Houston will be held on Thursday, April 22, 2010. Scheduled authors include: Mary Karr, Greg Kincaid, A.J. Jacobs, Sarah Palin and Kathryn Stockett. Beat the rush and purchase your tickets now.


Celebration of Reading Maryland 2010

The next Celebration of Reading Maryland will be held on Tuesday, May 18, 2010.  Authors already confirmed include: A.J. Jacobs, Sharon Robinson, Christopher Buckley, Leila Meacham, Jennifer Thompson-Cannino and Ronald Cotton.  More author announcements to come soon!  Register now to join us.

 

Celebration of Reading Dallas 2010

The next Celebration of Reading Dallas will be held on Monday, November 8, 2010. Our first author confirmed is Leila Meacham.  Author announcements to come soon!


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