In 2022, only 37.7% of Sacramento County 3^rd grade students could read at grade-level. The pandemic made data difficult to acquire but the latest testing shows a 6.5% decline in 2022 from 2019 reading levels.  The combination of the COVID 19 and the already identified 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 of 2024 will be imperative to prevent further reading skill degradation. Summer reading programs serve a vital role in accelerating grade-level reading proficiency.

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 the community 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. Show the reach/impact that the program has or has capacity to reach.
4. 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, 2024. 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.