ProLiteracy Grants at Work: More than 50,000 Lives Changed Through Local Literacy Programs
The ProLiteracy grant initiative continues to create new pathways to education and opportunity for adult learners. Our three key grants— Mobile Learning Fund, Literacy Opportunity Fund, and National Book Fund—do more than provide materials; they empower local literacy programs across the country to create lasting change one learner at a time.
Mobile Learning Fund
Digital tools help accelerate instruction by providing personalized instruction that enables students to learn and practice where they are— outside the classroom. Through the Mobile Learning Fund, 96 programs expanded their reach, providing more than 3,000 learners access to flexible, technology-based education tools such as New Readers Press Online Learning, Learning Upgrade, and EnGen that can be used anytime, anywhere.
One of those programs, Fill My Cup, in Charlotte, North Carolina, applied to the Mobile Learning Fund because as a grassroots organization, founder and Executive Director Sheila Laury said funding is a challenge. Fill My Cup applied for and received digital licenses for Learning Upgrade, New Readers Press Online Learning, News for You Online, and EnGen.
“I wanted to be always sure, regardless [of funding] that our service delivery right to our adult learners was the best that it could be,” Laury said.
Laury sees The Mobile Learning Fund as valuable to Fill My Cup because not only does it allow the program to meet the academic needs of students at different levels, it also results in improved digital skills—especially among learners lacking any digital skills upon enrollment.
One gentleman in his mid-70s came to Fill My Cup after losing his wife. He was always active in the community, but his literacy comprehension skills were not very strong. His goal was to read a book, and with Learning Upgrade, Laury said he built both his literacy and digital skills.
“Having access to research-based products and curriculum to use with our students and for our tutors and teachers … that’s the great thing about the [Mobile Learning Fund] for us,” said Laury.
Number of Programs Awarded: 96
Number of Students Served: 3,209
Total Amount Awarded: $259K
Literacy Opportunity Fund
General operations are a critical component of running any successful community program. The Literacy Opportunity Fund, generously funded by the Nora Roberts Foundation, is one of the few grants that can go directly to operating expenses. This is crucial in sustaining local organizations, like Brush Country Literacy Council, to ensure students get the guidance and resources needed to achieve their education goals.
With the Literacy Opportunity Fund, the Council enhanced program visibility and addressed the following key areas:
- Teacher salaries to support instruction across four locations
- Instructional resources for every student
- New computers to provide students with access to registration and practice tests
- Access to student readiness exams
According to Brush Country Literacy Council administrators, “The Literacy Opportunity Fund grant has been transformative for our program. It has allowed us to provide critical resources and support to our students.”
Number of Programs Awarded: 135
Number of Students Served: 39,293
Total Amount Awarded: $637K
National Book Fund
The National Book Fund helps programs expand access to instructional resources from ProLiteracy’s New Readers Press publishing division to serve a new neighborhood, expand services to include English language instruction, or to prepare adults to work in a new industry in their area.
Caleb Ritchey, a student in the Literacy Lubbock GED® program, demonstrates the transformative power of the National Book Fund. His dedication and perseverance to studying and taking multiple practice tests helped him increase his scores, which led to successfully completing three of four required GED tests. Because of this grant, Literacy Lubbock could provide the essential instructional materials and financial support, ensuring that students like Ritchey could continue their education beyond any financial barriers. Beyond academics, the Literacy Lubbock GED program equips adult learners with life-changing skills, resources, and confidence to succeed in their life, for their family, and in their community.
Number of Programs Awarded: 39
Number of Students Served: 14,613
Total Amount Awarded: $72K
Together, the Mobile Literacy Fund, Literacy Opportunity Fund, and National Book Fund represent the heart of ProLiteracy’s mission to remove barriers and open doors for adult learners everywhere. With more than 50,000 lives changed, ProLiteracy’s grants help build the skills needed for work, family, and community life.