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


 Dear Friends,

Twenty years have passed since we launched the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy.  In that time, I'm proud to say that the Foundation has awarded $34 million to support the development and expansion of 773 family literacy programs in 50 states including the District of Columbia! And, I'm happy to report that many of our grantees have continued their important work with money from other sources, long after our one-year grant to them has finished.  So, thanks to the generous support of our donors and the fine work of literacy providers across the United States, thousands of parents and children who were without the most basic literacy skills can now read, write, and comprehend.

In addition, data from our family literacy programs show that adults develop the literacy skills they need to continue their education, earn a better living, take care of their health and the health of their families, participate fully in their communities, and improve their parenting abilities. What's more, their children, who are usually at the pre-school level, are more likely to succeed in school because they have developed critical pre-reading skills and have the support of literate parents who are able to read and discuss books with them, help with homework, and participate in school activities.

The Foundation's mission has not changed from the very first day we opened our doors.  Although much progress has been made, America's literacy challenges are still great.  The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy will continue to work to make literacy a value in every family, and to support programs in which parents and children learn and read together.

Now more than ever, literacy is at the heart of America's future, and the family is at the heart of literacy.

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

Now Accepting Applications:  2010 Maryland Grant Program

Now through December 7, 2009, the Foundation is accepting applications for our 2010 National Grant Program.

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  Another Successful Dallas Celebration of Reading

Don't believe us?  See what Alan Peppard of the Dallas Morning News and Jeanne Prejean from SweetCharity had to say about the evening. 

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



Photo:  FNC

g  In an Exclusive New Interview, Barbara Bush Discusses Her assion 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 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: Sharon Robinson, Christopher Buckley, Jennifer Thompson-Cannino and Ronald Cotton.  More author announcements to come soon!
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