Who We Fund
Virginia Literacy Foundation (VLF) grants target Virginia’s 501(c)(3) community-based adult literacy organizations that provide literacy, ESOL, and numeracy services to adults 18 years and older. It is a one-year grant and we look for grant proposals that focus on one project whose outcomes can be achieved in one year. Since 1987, the Virginia Literacy Foundation has funded an average of 25-30 community-based and faith-based adult literacy programs each year with matching grants ranging from $2,500 to $10,000. Programs that have been steadily funded by the VLF collectively serve over 10,000 adults annually, using approximately 5,000 volunteers.
How to Apply
The Virginia Literacy Foundation (VLF) accepts funding requests applications for matching grants on an annual basis. The Request for Proposals (RFP) is placed on the VLF website by February each year, and the deadline to submit a funding request is in March. Grants are reviewed by the VLF Grants Committee and grant recipients are notified in June. Award payments are mailed to the grant recipients in September. Paper documents are made available upon request at 804-237-8909. Get more information on applications here.
If you missed the Grant Review Meeting on January 30, here is a copy of the PowerPoint.
Additional Information
Grant Terms and Amounts
- All grants will be for one-year. Please focus your application on goals that are achievable in a year.
- Grant funds can be used for specific projects, general operating funds, or for capacity building (strategic planning, training on digital literacy, board training, etc.)
- Grant amounts are as follows:
- CBLO’s serving 30-49 students $5,000
- CBLO’s serving 50-149 students $7,500
- CBLO’s serving 150+ students $10,000
- Students “served” should have at least 6 hours of annual instruction for organizations under 50 students and at least 12 hours of instruction for CBLOs serving 50+ students. CBLO’s may partner with other nonprofits to meet funding guidelines for students served.
- VLF encourages you to use this as an opportunity to raise more money for your work by encouraging your donors to match the grant amount. Matching grants can double (1-to-1 match) the amount of funding you receive through increased and new donations.
Grant Timeline
January 2024: Requests for Proposal will be posted on the VLF website.
March 29, 2024: Proposals, online and hardcopy, are due to the VLF office by 5pm.
June 28, 2024: Notifications will be sent to all grant applicants.
September 2024: Checks will be sent for approved 2024-2025 grants.
September 16, 2024: Final reports due for 2023-2024.
2023-2024 Grant Award Recipients
-
Adult Community Education
-
Beacon for Adult Literacy
-
Blue Ridge Literacy
-
The Bridge Ministry
-
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Arlington
-
Literacy Council of Northern Virginia
-
Literacy for Life
-
Literacy Volunteers of America-Prince William, Inc.
-
Literacy Volunteers of Campbell County Public Library
- Literacy Volunteers of Charlottesville/Albemarle
- Literacy Volunteers of New River Valley
- Literacy Volunteers – Winchester Area
- Loudoun Literacy Council
- Portsmouth Reads
- The READ Center
- Skyline Literacy, Inc.
- United Community
