Grants for libraries
Grants for public, school and tribal libraries: reading programs, collections, technology and buildings.
- 5 open
- 3 rolling
- 7 upcoming
- Next deadline November 13, 2026
From companies, foundations and states
- ApplyANYTIME
Beyond Words disaster relief for school libraries
Dollar General · Schools, Libraries
Help for K-12 public school libraries rebuilding after a natural disaster, fire or act of terrorism.
- ApplyANYTIME
H-E-B donations and grants
H-E-B · Nonprofits, Local governments, Schools
Donations for Texas nonprofits, municipalities and school education foundations near an H-E-B, Central Market or Mi Tienda store.
- ApplyANYTIME
Inquiries and open calls
Mellon Foundation · Nonprofits, Colleges, Libraries
Mellon funds the arts, humanities and higher learning, mostly by invitation. Humanities in Place and the Monuments Project take inquiries on a rolling basis.
- OpensSOON
Adult Literacy Grants
Dollar General · Nonprofits, Libraries
Dollar General Literacy Foundation grants for organizations teaching adults to read, preparing them for the GED or high school equivalency, or teaching English.
- OpensSOON
Family Literacy Grants
Dollar General · Nonprofits
Grants for nonprofits that teach parents and children together: adult education, children's education and Parent and Child Together Time.
- OpensSOON
Summer Reading Grants
Dollar General · Nonprofits, Schools, Libraries
Grants for nonprofits, schools and libraries running summer reading programs for pre-K to 12th-grade new or struggling readers.
- OpensSOON
Youth Literacy Grants
Dollar General · Schools, Libraries, Nonprofits
Grants for schools, public libraries and nonprofits helping K-12 students who read below grade level: new programs, technology, equipment, books and software.
Federal grants
Open and forecast opportunities from Grants.gov that match this cause, soonest deadline first.
- Closes13 NOV
Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (2027)
IMLS · Others
Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian (LB21) projects build a library and archival workforce that can meet the information needs of communities of all types and sizes and increase the institutional capacity of libraries, archives, and library and information science graduate programs across the country.
- Closes13 NOV
National Leadership Grants for Libraries (2027)
IMLS · Others
National Leadership Grants for Libraries (NLG-L) projects enhance the quality of library services nationwide. The program supports projects that: promote adult reading, and health and financial literacies; focus on programming and archival practices related to our shared American history; manage and preserve the national information infrastructure; serve the
- Closes13 NOV
Native American Library Services Basic Grant (2027)
IMLS · Tribes
The Native American Basic Grants (NAB) program assists eligible Native Communities in establishing, sustaining, and improving library services and operations with their communities. As information needs change, Tribal libraries must be able to serve as knowledge and resource centers to benefit their users and the wellness of their communities. The NAB progra
- Closes13 NOV
Native American Library Services Enhancement Grants (2027)
IMLS · Tribes
The Native American Library Services Enhancement Grants program (NAE) assists eligible Native Communities in sustaining and improving library services with their communities. As information needs change, Tribal libraries must be able to serve as knowledge and resource centers to benefit their users and the wellness of their communities. The program supports
- Closes13 NOV
Native Hawaiian Library Services Grants (2027)
IMLS · Others
The Native Hawaiian Library Services (NH) program is designed to assist Native Hawaiian serving organizations in sustaining and improving library services with their communities. As information needs change, Native Hawaiian organizations must be able to serve as knowledge and resource centers to benefit their users and the wellness of their communities. The
- Expected15 DEC
Network of the National Library of Medicine Coordinating Center (U24 Clinical Trial Optional)
NIH · Counties, Small businesses, States, +12 more
The National Library of Medicine (NLM) intends to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications for a Coordinating Center of the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM). Established in 1965 and organized geographically across the United States and its territories, the NNLM promotes and supports the initiatives, products, a
- Expected15 DEC
Network of the National Library of Medicine Regional Medical Libraries (UG4 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NIH · School districts, Special districts, Nonprofits (not 501(c)(3)), +12 more
The National Library of Medicine (NLM) intends to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications for Regional Medical Libraries of the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM). Established in 1965 and organized geographically across the United States and its territories, the NNLM promotes and supports the initiatives, produc
- Expected15 DEC
Network of the National Library of Medicine Training Center (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NIH · Cities and towns, States, Tribal organizations, +12 more
The National Library of Medicine (NLM) intends to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications for a Training Center of the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM). Established in 1965 and organized geographically across the United States and its territories, the NNLM promotes and supports the initiatives, products, and s
Questions
When do library grants close?
The next deadline is November 13, 2026 for Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (2027). 3 programs take applications at any time.
Where does most library grant money come from?
Federal library money goes to each state's library agency, which makes its own grants. National competitions come from IMLS and NEH, and literacy funders such as the Dollar General Literacy Foundation fund reading programs.
Do I have to pay to apply for a grant?
No. Real grant programs never charge to apply or to receive an award. Anyone asking for a fee before you get grant money is running a scam.