Summer Reading Funding Opportunity

In the 2023-24 school year, only 38% of third graders that took the CAASPP were reading at grade-level in Sacramento County and 62% were not reading at grade-level.  Your work to support children advancing their reading skills is critical. The literacy crisis in Sacramento will negatively impact this generation of children, their future and the future of our city.

Summer Reading, kindergarten readiness and school attendance remain the top three factors impacting a child’s ability to read at grade-level. According to research, reading five age-appropriate books is what it takes to hold onto earned reading skills. Summer Reading programs are a great way to engage children during summer recess and prevent summer learning loss.

Summer Reading in 2025 is needed to prevent further reading skill degradation. Summer reading programs serve a vital role in accelerating grade-level reading proficiency.

1. Put culturally relevant high-quality books in the hands and homes of our poorest students.
2. Advocate for evidence-based reading instruction in K-3^rd grade classrooms through curriculum, teacher training, and afterschool programs.
3. Support and fund summer reading in Sacramento County.

Funding for Sacramento Literacy Foundation’s children’s literacy efforts are provided primarily by its Children’s Literacy Endowment. This funding will be granted out to local organizations for qualified activities.

Project-specific grants for organizations that provide summer reading programs for children and youth, ages birth through 18, in Sacramento County. Service areas inside the Sacramento Promise Zone will be prioritized. Projects with structured literacy integration will be prioritized.

Funds may not be used to replace state or local funds for staff or school personnel, or for celebration supplies, food, or refreshments.

To be eligible for funding, proposals must meet the following basic criteria:

1. Applicant agency must have 501(c)(3) status or operate under the fiscal sponsorship of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or be a public elementary school.
2. Program must serve children in Sacramento County.
3. Program must have measurable results.

1. Discuss the community served by the program and demonstrate why this program is important within the community.
2. Demonstrate how the organization works in collaboration with other community agencies or programs targeting children and youth literacy.
3. Discuss how your program addresses the pillars of literacy: oral language, phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
4. Show the reach/impact that the program has or has capacity to reach.
5. Provide a program budget.

1. Host a site visit by members of the Grants Committee.
2. Submit a report no more than 1 year after receiving the grant.

Completed grants are due April 4, 2025. Please e-mail us at info@sacramentoliteracy.org if you have any questions about the eligibility of your specific grant application.

Thank you for supporting reading literacy in our region and helping to ensure grade-level reading fluency for every child.