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 21 years, the Foundation has awarded $37 million to 850 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 fourteen year old Initiative has awarded a total of 226 grants totaling in excess of $3,957,090, in schools and community-based organizations 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.  First Lady Laura Bush is Honorary Chair of this exciting fourteen 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.

In 2003, the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy expanded to a fourth state and founded the Maryland Initiative.  To date, the Maryland Initiative has invested almost $3 million in grants to 65 family literacy programs in the community that help families learn to read, write and communicate.  These programs give families hope by helping parents develop skills to get a job, earn a paycheck and attain self-sufficiency. 

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
To celebrate reading is to spend an incredibly warm and engaging evening with George and Barbara Bush at Houston’s Hobby Center with some of their favorite best-selling authors. At this 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.


The evening begins with the Authors’ Reception - a casual mix-and-mingle with the Bushes and authors where guests enjoy the opportunity to visit with each author. The program 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 Bush and other surprise guests to bring a tremendous sense of humor and warmth to the program, as the authors bring their best-selling books to life. After the program all guests enjoy a delightful light supper and more time to mix and mingle before going home with a book written by one of the authors.


Houston, TX, was the location of the first Celebration of Reading, and remains an extremely popular event to this day.


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.

 

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.”  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.  Please visit our Publications section to order your copies by clicking HERE.


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 about the newest Barbara Bush Fellows by clicking 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.