About Us

Established by Barbara Bush in 1989, the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy supports the development and expansion of family literacy programs -- in settings where parents and children read and learn together -- across the United States.  Our grants are awarded on a competitive basis to nonprofit organizations, correctional institutions, homeless shelters, schools and school districts, libraries and community- and faith-based agencies.  Over the past 20 years, the Foundation has awarded $34 million to 773 family literacy programs in 50 states including our nation's capital.


History

Early Years
In March 1990, the Foundation launched its first grant cycle.  Applications came from every region of the United States and included proposals from: universities, community colleges, literacy programs, community-based organizations, elementary schools, high school districts, libraries, YWCAs and churches.  In September 1990, our first 11 grants, totaling $500,000, were awarded.  By September 2007, nearly 650 programs in forty-eight different states and the District of Columbia had been granted nearly $30 million through various initiatives of the Barbara Bush Foundation!  Many of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy programs continue to serve their communities today, with both private and public sector support.

In January 1996, 14 literacy programs in 11 Maine cities were the first recipients of $100,000 in grants from the Foundation's new Maine Family Literacy Initiative, which is funded primarily by gifts from residents of that state.  Today, this thirteen year old Initiative, which is a partnership with the Maine Department of Education, has awarded a total of $2,787,855 to 166 family literacy programs, in schools and community-based organizations, in 77 Maine communities across the state.  In their continuous effort to reach a larger portion of the Maine community the Maine Initiative welcomed seven new planning grants in addition to ten full grants in 2007.  These $5,000 grants allow communities to build working coalitions and plan strong programs.

In February 1996, the Foundation launched its second statewide grant program, The First Lady's Family Literacy Initiative for Texas.  In the first year, the Initiative awarded grants for a total of $150,000 to ten programs developed by school districts, elementary schools, literacy councils, a community college, a university, an adult and continuing education co-op, and a charter school.  Over the past twelve years a total of 118 grants have been awarded to family literacy programs in 65 Texas cities, bringing the total to over $2 million!  In June 2007 the Initiative announced its eight winners of the 2007 grant competition, which totaled nearly a quarter of a million dollars.  First Lady Laura Bush is Honorary Chair of this exciting twelve year old initiative. 

In November 1999, the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy launched its third statewide program, The Governor's Family Literacy initiative for Florida.  This Initiative is a partnership of former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, who serves as Honorary Chair, the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, and the Volunteer USA Foundation.  In its eighth year, The Florida Family Literacy Initiative, as it is now known, has awarded nearly $6 million to 151 programs in counties throughout Florida.  This Initiative combines cutting-edge school reform and family literacy in a diverse group of community- and school-based programs.


Celebrations of Reading
In April 1995, the Foundation started a wonderful new tradition -- an annual fundraiser, A Celebration of Reading.  Held each year in Houston and Dallas, TX, Maryland and Florida, the Celebrations of Reading feature readings by best-selling authors and Bush family members.  Proceeds from the celebrations benefit the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, including most of the Foundation's state initiatives.

A Celebration of Reading Houston
Houston, TX, was the location of the first Celebration of Reading, and remains an extremely popular event to this day.  Past authors include Stephen Ambrose, Jean Auel, David Baldacci, Tiki and Ronde Barber, Dave Barry, Michael Beschloss, Maeve Binchy, Barbara Taylor Bradford, Christopher Buckley, James Bradley, Stephen Carter, Mary Higgins Clark, Robin Cook, Patricia Cornwell, Michael Crichton, Li Cunxin, Dominick Dunne, Richard Paul Evans, Antwone Fisher, Fannie Flagg, Elizabeth George, Doris Kearns Goodwin, John Grisham, David Halberstam, Tami Hoag, Karen Hughes, P.D. James, Dan Jenkins, Jan Karon, Baine Kerr, Jr., Tracy Kidder, Jim Lehrer, Robert Ludlum, former Prime Minister John Major, James McBride, Frank McCourt, Reba McEntire, Larry McMurtry, Jon Meacham, Mary Tyler Moor, Chuck Norris, Diana Ossana, James Patterson, Richard North Patterson, Al Roker, Arnold Scassi, Sidney Sheldon, Anita Shreve, Hugh Sidey, Daniel Silva, Senator Alan Simpson, Scott Turow, Andrea White, and Lawrence Wright.  At the 2007 Celebration of Reading, authors Karyn Frist, father and daughter David McCullough and Dorrie McCullough Lawson, Bob Newhart and Nathaniel Philbrick helped to raise nearly $2 million by reading excerpts from their latest books.  Fifty percent of all proceeds went to support programs of the Barbara Bush Texas Fund for Family Literacy, with the other fifty percent going to fund programs across the country.
Learn about the upcoming Celebration of Reading Houston HERE.


A Celebration of Reading Dallas
The very first Dallas Celebration of Reading, held in November 2002, was a tremendous success, raising record amounts for the Foundation's literacy programs.  President George H.W. and Barbara Bush welcomed authors Fannie Flagg, John Grisham, James McBride and Hugh Ambrose, son of late historian, Stephen Ambrose, each of whom read from their latest works. 

To celebrate reading is to spend an incredibly warm and engaging evening with George and Barbara Bush and some of their favorite best-selling authors. There is no better way to celebrate the importance of knowing how to read than this event – the annual fundraiser that benefits the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy and the Barbara Bush Texas Fund for Family Literacy. Mrs. Bush personally invites best-selling authors who give freely of their time to share their works with guests. She will be announcing an exciting line-up of authors soon.

The evening starts with the Authors’ Reception for major donors - a casual mix-and-mingle with the Bushes and authors where these guests enjoy the opportunity to visit with each author and have photos made. The evening is filled with spontaneous fun, and at the same time has all the characteristics of a professional production because it is in fact "produced" - including video, a wonderful set, and other hallmarks of a real "show"- very different from more traditional reading events. Barbara Bush hosts the evening, introducing each author and collaborating with former President George H. W. Bush and other surprise guests as well. The Bushes bring a tremendous sense of humor and warmth to the program, as best-selling authors truly bring their books to life. After the program all guests enjoy a delightful light supper and more time to mix and mingle with the Bushes and authors before going home with a book written by one of the featured authors.

Learn more about the upcoming Celebration of Reading Dallas HERE.

A Celebration of Reading Florida
The very first Florida Celebration of Reading, hosted by Governor Jeb Bush, was held in February 2001.  Joining Governor Bush were best-selling authors Robin Cook, Susan Orlean and R.L. Stein.  The very first Florida Celebration raised nearly $2 million to fund family literacy programs in Florida.  The 7th annual Florida Celebration of Reading held on February 16, 2007 at the Registry Resort & Club in Naples, Florida was another successful night, raising $1.4 million for the former Governor's Family Literacy Initiative for Florida.  Joining former Governor Jeb Bush were authors Eric Carle, Haven Kimmel and Doro Bush Koch.  Since its inception, the Florida Celebration has raised more than $9 million for family literacy programs statewide. 

A Celebration of Reading Maryland

Doro Bush Koch and her good friend and sister-in-law Tricia Reilly Koch are proudly hosting the 7th annual Celebration of Reading, an incredibly warm and engaging evening with Doro’s parents, Barbara and President George H. W. Bush, some of their favorite best-selling authors, and a wonderful audience of family literacy supporters, to whom the Foundation is very grateful. Held at Bethesda’s beautiful Music Center at Strathmore, A Celebration of Reading is the annual fundraiser that benefits the Maryland Initiative of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. On this evening, Doro and Tricia invite all to join them in their family’s life-long passion, to applaud the gift of literacy and the transformational effect that reading together has on families.

In the world of traditional reading events, with its spontaneity, humor and
warmth, A Celebration of Reading stands apart from all others. Each year, Doro and Tricia personally invite their favorite authors who give freely of their time to bring their written words to life in a professionally produced program, including video, a beautiful set, and other hallmarks of a real “theatrical performance.” So far, best-selling authors Christopher Buckley (Losing Mum and Pup) and Jennifer Thompson-Cannino & Ronald Cotton (Picking Cotton) have confirmed they will be with us, and others will be announced soon. Surprise guests have become a hallmark of the show, as has inspirational testimony from a special guest of honor, a student whose life has changed by becoming a literate participant in society, and whose family has benefitted from the work of the Foundation.

Before the program, major donors attend the Authors’ Reception, where they enjoy the opportunity to mix and mingle with their hosts and the authors. All guests attend a supper among friends after the program, and each guest goes home with a complimentary book written by one of the featured authors.

Learn more about the upcoming Maryland Celebration of Reading HERE.


Publications
The Foundation also distributes publications for parents and literacy providers, including First Teachers: A Family Literacy Handbook for Parents, Policy-makers, and Literacy Providers.  This handbook, which profiles 10 family literacy models, has been distributed to federal, state, and local departments of education, human resources, and labor; hundreds of public and private sector literacy programs; and many libraries, corporations, and individuals.  A second publication, Barbara Bush's Family Reading Tips, provides helpful guidelines and entertaining "tips" for reading aloud to children.  Hundreds of thousands of copies of this colorful pamphlet, which is available in both English and Spanish, have gone out to schools, libraries, corporations, and individuals across the nation.  Successful Strategies in Family Literacy is a collaborative project with the Maine Department of Education.  This book summarizes the insights of family literacy programs across the state and is designed to offer best practices and develop more specific guidance for potential applicants.  The Texas book, Lessons Learned: A Review of the First Lady's Literacy Initiative for Texas is also available, taking an in-depth look at the First Lady's Initiative, including data collection, outcomes and an overview of the Initiative since inception.  In addition, the Foundation also maintains this regularly-updated website to provide viewers with news of the Foundation's latest activities, publication ordering instructions, information on applying for grants from its five grant programs, and answer to Frequently Asked Questions about our grant process.  For expounded information on the Foundation's Maryland Initiative, you may also visit www.marylandfamilyliteracyinitiative.org. 


Fellowships
In April 2007, at the Houston Celebration of Reading, Mrs. Bush announced the names of the first three individuals to receive the Foundation's new Barbara Bush Fellowship award, enabling talented Ph.D. candidates to further the field of study in family literacy through research and learning.  Learn more HERE.


The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy is a component fund of The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region in Washington, DC.  Learn more about The Community Foundation HERE.