Every child in Sacramento deserves a strong foundation for a bright future, and that begins with the ability to read.
For many families, the break from school in the summer brings a lack of access to high-quality books and structured learning, leading to a slide in reading skills that disproportionately impacts under-resourced neighborhoods. In the 2024-25 school year, only 42% of third graders that took the statewide assessment tests were reading at grade-level in Sacramento County, and 58% were not reading at grade-level.
Reading five age-appropriate books is what kids need to hold onto earned reading skills, according to research. Summer Reading programs are a great way to engage children during summer recess and prevent summer learning loss.
Sacramento Literacy Foundation launched our Summer Reading Grant program in 2021 to collaborate with community partners and meet this need. Since then we’ve reached more than 5,200 kids across 18 Sacramento nonprofits leading summer reading programs. We’ve distributed more than $270,000 in books and resources thanks to our endowment funds. Past partners include 916 Ink, National Coalition of Black Women, Korean Language and Cultural Center of Sacramento, Hmong Youth and Parents United, and Roberts Family Development.
How to Apply
If your organization is actively working with children to build literacy skills, we invite you to apply for our Summer Reading Grant. Application details follow. Our grant cycle runs annually, opening in February.
Sacramento Literacy Foundation Goals
- Put culturally relevant high-quality books in the hands and homes of our poorest students.
- Advocate for evidence-based reading instruction in K-3rd grade classrooms through curriculum, teacher training, and afterschool programs.
- Support and fund summer reading in Sacramento County.