Previous Year

826 Valencia

San Francisco County, California

$19,600 Awarded

Towards third through eighth grade students achieving grade-level English Language Arts proficiency. Programs funded include culturally responsive literacy and writing activities, individualized student support, and classroom strategies that foster a growth mindset, confidence, pride, and joy in learning. By empowering student voices and building on their strengths, the initiative aims to close achievement gaps and promote academic success for all participants.

Aim High

San Francisco County, California

$15,000 Awarded

Towards a five-week, tuition-free summer program integrating academics, social-emotional learning (SEL), and STEAM activities. Aim High offers a curriculum that blends core academic instruction with hands-on learning and enriching activities designed to foster holistic development. This initiative aims to create a transformative summer learning experience that promotes academic growth, social skills, and a passion for STEAM subjects.

Alameda County Community Food Bank

Alameda County, California

$10,000 Awarded

In support of a program that addresses rising child poverty and food insecurity by supporting efforts to provide nutritious food to children and families in Alameda County. With child poverty rates more than doubling since 2021, funding will help ensure vulnerable populations have access to essential resources, promoting health and well-being during these challenging times.

Arizona Theatre Company

Pima County, Arizona

$10,000 Awarded

Toward two student matinee shows for each of ATC's five productions during the 2024-25 school year. These funds will specifically subsidize ticket costs for Title I schools, making theatre arts accessible to a broader audience. By expanding access to theatre arts, ATC strives to bridge the equity gap and ensure that every student can experience the transformative power of the performing arts.

Aspire Education Project

Alameda County, California

$15,000 Awarded

Toward Community Reading Buddies (CRB), a program that trains middle and high schoolers to provide third grade students with one-on-one in reading literacy tutoring. As a result of regular participation, participants from schools throughout Oakland Unified School District make an average of over four months of reading growth in just one eight-week session.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut

Hartford County, Connecticut

$30,000 Awarded

In support of STEAM and Literacy enhancements during the 2024-25 academic school year. Enhancements include distributing books to preschoolers, field trips to science and nature centers for elementary school students, and STEAM-based activities for children and youth in community-based mentoring programs throughout the year, reaching 250 children in Hartford County.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lorain County

Lorain County, Ohio

$18,070 Awarded

In support of the 2024 Pathways Summer STEAM Immersion Program that combines an evidence-based mentoring service delivery model with STEAM curriculum and summer projects, tutoring, and family engagement activities. This Multi-week-week summer program offers a comprehensive STEAM curriculum and fun activities that can be incorporated in everyday lives. The post-sessions offer opportunities for academic assessment and interventions, with tutoring available in both math or reading.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lorain County

Lorain County, Ohio

$15,000 Awarded

In support of the 2025 Pathways Summer STEAM Immersion Program that combines an evidence-based mentoring service delivery model with STEAM curriculum and summer projects, tutoring, and family engagement activities. This multi-week summer program offers a comprehensive STEAM curriculum and fun activities that can be incorporated in everyday lives. The post-sessions offer opportunities for academic assessment and interventions, with tutoring available in both math or reading.

Black River Innovative Artist Residence (Briar)

Lorain County, Ohio

$5,000 Awarded

In support of Building Community through the Arts, a program that integrates in-school arts instruction with essential life skills development, enabling participants to overcome economic and educational disparities and barriers to personal development, educational attainment, and future employability. This strategic program aligns with BRIAR's mission to empower the next generation of creatives to blossom into confident, resilient, and visionary artists ready to leave their indelible mark on the world.

Books for Classrooms

Pima County, Arizona

$18,700 Awarded

In support of providing 50 books curated to each classroom at four middle schools in Sunnyside Unified School District. Sets of grade-level books are also provided to the school library which can be checked out by all students and used by support staff. Most books are purchased at deep-discounts, often shipped free, directly to the teacher at school.

Boys & Girls Club of Bristol

Hartford County, Connecticut

$23,032 Awarded

Toward Summer Brain Gain!, a 10-week program comprised of theme-based age-appropriate curriculum modules for elementary and middle school students. Each module provides Club members with fun, engaging, and hands-on summer learning experiences. Modules use project-based, grade-appropriate learning approach to engage students in learning through discovery, creative expression, group work, and a final culminating activity that take place in the form of an exhibition at the end of Camp.

Boys & Girls Clubs of King County

King County, Washington

$10,000 Awarded

In support of a nine-week summer camp that combines traditional summer camp activities, including field trips to local attractions, with Summer Brain Gain. This curriculum is designed to prevent learning loss while school is not in session. Rainier Vista Boys & Girls Clubs will emphasize the reading component of Summer Brain Gain, which calls for a minimum of 20 minutes of reading time every day camp is in session.

Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco

San Francisco County, California

$15,000 Awarded

In support of Academic Success programming that is rooted in socio-emotional development and fosters an environment where students are motivated to learn and graduate high school with a plan to succeed in the future. B&GCSF provides members with tailored support based on individual academic needs, connects members with relevant academic enrichment programming, services, and resources, and cultivates a network of academic support for each member through collaboration with caregivers, teachers, external partners, and Club staff. BGCSF’s Literacy and STEAM programs will continue to create a culture of learning where students can engage, explore, and have fun in a safe and positive environment.

Bread for Life

Hartford County, Connecticut

$25,000 Awarded

In support of the 2024 Children's Summer Lunch Program that provides safety-net services, ensuring that students are healthy, engaged, supported, and challenged. The program offers nutritional access while helping to remove barriers to learning and academic achievements. In addition, Bread for Life partners with Southington Public Library to provide grade-level appropriate literacy packets. The packets include paperback books, puzzle books, pencils, erasers, puzzles, stickers, and information about the library's summer reading program.

Bread for Life

Hartford County, Connecticut

$25,000 Awarded

In support of the 2025 Children's Summer Lunch Program that provides safety-net services, ensuring that students are healthy, engaged, supported, and challenged. The program offers nutritional access while helping to remove barriers to learning and academic achievements. In addition, Bread for Life partners with Southington Public Library to provide grade-level appropriate literacy packets. The packets include paperback books, puzzle books, pencils, erasers, puzzles, stickers, and information about the library's summer reading program.

Bridge the Gap College Prep

San Francisco County, California

$20,000 Awarded

Toward an expanded continuum of year-long literacy programming. In-school and summer reading intervention will serve 100 K-5 students who are reading significantly below grade-level and need consistent interventions. The organization provides comprehensive educational, social, and emotional support with the goal that every student served completes high school and graduates from college.

Bristol Family Resource Centers

Hartford County, Connecticut

$29,161 Awarded

Towards Raising Readers Together, a holistic approach that brings certified teachers, school support staff, certified parent educators, students and parents together to improve critical literacy and math skills. BFRC provides after-school tutoring two days a week and six parent workshops on creating a literacy-rich homes. The organization builds partnership between teachers, children, and parents to ensure children have the support needed to be successful in all aspects of the school environment.

Carousel Museum, The

Hartford County, Connecticut

$19,307 Awarded

Toward a collaborative three-part STEAM project between the Carousel Museum and Bristol Public Schools that focuses on the connection between science and art. Bristol’s third graders will engage in hands-on activites that investigate balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object, measuring an object’s motion to predict future motion, and determining relationships or electric or magnetic interactions between two objects not in contact with each other.

Casa De Los Ninos

Pima County, Arizona

$20,000 Awarded

In support of the Kelly Early Education Center, offering a holistic trauma-informed approach to early childhood development, promoting kindergarten readiness as well as helping students form healthy attachments and relationships by introducing emotional regulation techniques that will have a lasting impact on the child and their family.

Compass Family Services

San Francisco County, California

$10,000 Awarded

Towards the provision of high-quality early childhood education and care to families with children ages 0-5 who are experiencing homelessness or poverty. Compass Children's Center (CCC) takes a holistic approach to early childhood education and development for children and their families as an essential part of facilitating healthy child development. CCC can also help families access additional services including workforce development services, help with shelter and housing, mental health services, eviction prevention, parent/child support groups and classes, a food bank, and more.

Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington

Hartford County, Connecticut

$7,200 Awarded

Toward the implementation of Developing Literacy and Kindergarten Readiness in Southington’s Young Children, a comprehensive year-round initiative that supports children as well as helps parents prepare their children to be successful in kindergarten and beyond.

East Bay Agency for Children

Alameda County, California

$9,600 Awarded

In support of trauma-informed and culturally and linguistically relevant early childhood and family school readiness programs that are offered at no cost to primarily monolingual Spanish and Mam (indigenous Guatemalan) speaking families at two Oakland based Family Resource Centers (FRCs). Supported programming utilizes the “Strengthening Families Protective Factors Framework,” an evidence-based approach that identifies protective factors that help prevent child abuse/neglect and support optimal healthy growth and development in children.

East Bay Children's Law Offices

Alameda County, California

$10,000 Awarded

Towards the implementation of the Education Advocacy and Strong Beginnings programs, components of the larger Community-Based Advocacy for Resources and Education program. EBCLO promotes literacy through book distribution during home visits; ensure children are appropriately placed in supportive educational environments by advocating for and monitoring the provision of special education services; and advocate for school stability when placement changes occur or when schools take disciplinary action against our clients, among other things. Youth experiencing foster care have a wide variety of rights that other students don’t, and someone needs to enforce them. The end result is increased academic growth through school-based services that reflect an understanding of our clients’ unique abilities (and disabilities), their trauma and their status as youth who are child welfare system-involved.

El Centro de Servicios Sociales

Lorain County, Ohio

$30,000 Awarded

Toward the 2024 Literacy and Performance summer program designed to mitigate summer learning loss by engaging Lorain's kindergarten through eigth grade students in creative theater arts learning in collaboration with MAD Factory. At the end of the program, families are invited to attend book-themed culminating performances.

Family Center Incorporated, The

Hartford County, Connecticut

$14,530 Awarded

Towards “The Arts of Imagine Nation” a multi-faceted program designed to spark imagination and provide intentional learning opportunities in areas of theater, literacy, puppetry, art, technology, and music for young children. It will incorporate diverse high-quality classes and activities focused on increasing children’s interest and proficiency in the arts. Imagine Nation, inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, supports the idea that children “learn in one hundred different languages”.

Family Connections Centers

San Francisco County, California

$20,000 Awarded

Towards the Explorers Initiative, which will implement thousands of hours of literacy and STEAM activities through Pre-K (ages 3-5), after-school and summer camp programs (grades K-5), and Parent/Caregiver Workshops. This array of programming is designed to nurture children in their early stages of development and help caregivers develop skills to support their child’s learning at home and for years.

Family Connections of Northeast Ohio

Cuyahoga County, Ohio

$25,000 Awarded

Toward the Family School Connection (FSC) program, a comprehensive home/school-based initiative that includes various individualized and group activities designed to promote school success and parent engagement in their child’s education. FSC builds literacy skills among kindergarten students, achieving at a lower-than expected level by engaging parents in their child’s education.

Firefish Arts

Lorain County, Ohio

$10,000 Awarded

In support of SPARKS! Exploring Dark and Light through STEAM. SPARKS! is an educational enrichment program for students in grades 3 – 8 in collaboration with multiple community partners and teen mentors. SPARKS! offers hands-on project-based activities for elementary and middle school students that are fun and helps them to better understand the world around them. This program puts the "A" in STEAM.

Footpath Foundation

Lorain County, Ohio

$246,525 Awarded

Toward Outside Discovering Me, a program that connects students to the outdoors by incorporating three elements in each lesson: science education, outdoor activity, and social emotional development. At the end of the school year, each class will have the opportunity to attend a “Day at Camp” to give students an outdoor day full of fun and social emotional development. This is a three-year grant award restricted to serve all fifth graders attending Lorain City Schools.

Fox Tucson Theatre Foundation

Pima County, Arizona

$30,000 Awarded

Towards Kids In The Theatre (KITT) program, offering inclusive arts education through school shows, family performances, workshops, and accessibility services, reaching thousands of local children each year. And, the Page-to-Stage program that engages students in the creative process behind performances through interactive workshops and artist collaborations, deepening their connection to the arts.

Friday Harbor Food Bank

San Juan County, Washington

$16,000 Awarded

Towards the 2024 Kids Summer Nutrition Program, a free summer meals program designed to help families with school-aged children who qualify for free and reduced meals, to manage their budgets during the summer months. The goal for this program is for children to have access to fresh, nutritious breakfast and lunch items that they enjoy and learn to prepare themselves. FHFB distributes bags once per week with enough items to last for five days. Each week has a Kid's menu that includes instructions on how to prepare the food and quantity recommendations which teaches proper nutrition and self-reliance.

Friday Harbor Food Bank

San Juan County, Washington

$14,600 Awarded

Towards the 2025 Kids Summer Nutrition Program, a free summer meals program designed to help families with school-aged children who qualify for free and reduced meals, to manage their budgets during the summer months. The goal for this program is for children to have access to fresh, nutritious breakfast and lunch items that they enjoy and learn to prepare themselves. FHFB distributes bags once per week with enough items to last for five days. Each week has a Kid's menu that includes instructions on how to prepare the food and quantity recommendations which teaches proper nutrition and self-reliance.

Friends of the Children - SF Bay Area

San Francisco County, California

$10,000 Awarded

In support of a collaborative project between Friends of the Children–SF partners and the San Francisco Unified School District that identifies students who would benefit most from long-term support of a caring adult in their lives. Using research-based assessment tools similar to ACEs and CANS, each selected child is paired with a dedicated, paid professional mentor who provides consistent, one-on-one guidance from kindergarten through high school graduation. Mentors spend up to four hours weekly with each child offering academic support, removing barriers to learning, and fostering positive development and well-being.

Gabriel's Angels

Pima County, Arizona

$5,000 Awarded

In support of Animals, Books, and Children (ABC ) throughout southern Arizona, providing free, trauma-informed pet therapy visits to vulnerable children in Title I schools, shelters, and youth programs, fostering confidence, empathy, and emotional resilience through the healing bond with therapy animals. This work also supports social-emotional development in underserved communities across the region.

Geeking Out Kids of Color

King County, Washington

$15,000 Awarded

Towards a free, culturally responsive summer program that empowers BIPOC youth in the greater Seattle area to develop computer science, robotics, and digital literacy skills through hands-on, project-based learning led by BIPOC educators in 2024.

Geeking Out Kids of Color

King County, Washington

$15,000 Awarded

Towards a free, culturally responsive summer program that empowers BIPOC youth in the greater Seattle area to develop computer science, robotics, and digital literacy skills through hands-on, project-based learning led by BIPOC educators in 2025.

Gifts of Love, Inc.

Hartford County, Connecticut

$20,000 Awarded

In support of the Student Weekend Backpack program, serving over 320 students, as well as their families, spread out across 10 school districts. This program assures that students who receive free or reduced-cost meals at school have enough to eat over the weekends. The program provides easy-to prepare meals, and enough food (over 10 pounds) for a family of 4 to eat throughout the weekend.

Girls Inc. Of the Pacific Northwest

King County, Washington

$15,000 Awarded

Towards research-based after-school and summer programs that empower girls ages 6–18 to build confidence, leadership, and academic skills. Programming emphasizes hands-on STEAM activities, literacy development, and mentorship in a supportive environment. Through initiatives like Girls Groups and STEAM Camp, the organization inspires girls to pursue educational and career opportunities in STEAM and beyond.

Great Lakes Theater

Cuyahoga County, Ohio

$10,000 Awarded

Towards the organization's signature education programs, tailored to meet the educational needs of Northeast Ohio students and include School Residency Program (bringing interactive, literacy-based artist residency program into area classrooms); a Christmas Carol writing contest (combing guided reading and writing with a field trip experience for Cleveland Metropolitan School District middle school students). Both programs are core to the theater’s mission to “bring the pleasure, power, and relevance to the widest possible audience.” Both programs are implemented over the course of a school year (Sept.-May).

Greater Cleveland Volunteers

Cuyahoga County, Ohio

$15,700 Awarded

Toward the Experience Corps, a proven reading literacy initiative that recruits and trains adults age 50+ to serve as volunteer tutors for K–3 students in Cuyahoga County schools. Tutors provide one-on-one or small-group reading sessions twice weekly, using evidence-based curricula and methods to help struggling readers build foundational literacy skills and reading confidence

Holy Family Day Home

San Francisco County, California

$10,000 Awarded

In support of the Community Fund, sustaining high-quality early childhood education and wraparound family support services for Bay Area children, particularly those from low-income and homeless families. The fund directly supports a Reggio Emilia-inspired preschool curriculum, individualized learning, and a robust early literacy program that prepares children with the language and literacy skills needed for kindergarten success. Through ongoing community investment, the fund ensures children have access to nurturing classrooms, inclusive literacy materials, and holistic educational experiences that foster lifelong learning and family stability.

Horizons at the Ethel Walker School

Hartford County, Connecticut

$20,500 Awarded

Towards the Horizons Holistic Summer Enrichment Program (HHSEP), an all-girls summer program for Hartford Public School students who qualify for federal free-reduced-price lunch. The six-week, full day summer program includes transportation, academics focused on literacy and STEAM, healthy meals, field trips, and swimming. HHSEP inspires a love of learning, builds confidence, and helps students develop problem-solving skills. On average, students gain two-three months of academic progress over the course of the six-week program.

Humanities Washington

King County, Washington

$25,000 Awarded

In support of the Prime Time Family Reading Program, delivering a six-week, evidence-based literacy initiative for children ages 6–10 and their families in King County. Each session brings together 15–25 families to share a meal, read high-quality children’s literature aloud, and engage in guided discussions that foster reading comprehension, critical thinking, and a love of books. By promoting family engagement and meaningful conversation around literature, Prime Time Family Reading helps improve early literacy skills and strengthens family bonds in communities across King County.

Junior Achievement of Arizona

Pima County, Arizona

$10,000 Awarded

In support of JA BizTown, an innovative, hands-on program serving 4th–6th grade students in Pima County. The program combines a series of classroom lessons with a culminating, immersive simulation where students take on real-world roles-such as business owners, bankers, and city officials-in a student-sized town designed just for them. Through this experience, students develop essential workplace skills, learn economic concepts, and practice personal and business financial management, directly connecting classroom learning to real-world applications and preparing them for future success as engaged citizens and professionals.

Las Cruces Public Schools Foundation

Dona Ana County, New Mexico

$20,000 Awarded

Toward the expansion of Innovative Teaching Grants and Classroom Supply Mini-Grants for the 2024–2025 school year. The LPS Foundation will award more grants that promote student engagement and creativity in Arts, Literacy, STEM, health, and wellness, with a special focus on improving attendance and social-emotional support aligned with district priorities. Also the monthly $100 Supply Mini-Grants program, includes art supply resources, directly benefiting teachers and enhancing classroom learning experiences across the district.

Lighthouse Community Public Schools

Alameda County, California

$25,000 Awarded

In support of K–3 literacy program delivering comprehensive, science-of-reading aligned instruction to ensure all students master foundational reading skills by the end of second grade. The program features daily, explicit phonics instruction, universal and dyslexia screening, differentiated small-group lessons, and targeted interventions for students not meeting grade-level benchmarks. Teachers receive ongoing professional coaching, use frequent assessments to tailor instruction, and engage students in building fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension through decodable and high-interest texts, both during the school day and in extended learning. programs. This structured approach is designed to close literacy gaps early and set students on a path toward academic success and lifelong learning.

Literacy Cooperative, The

Cuyahoga County, Ohio

$15,700 Awarded

In support of the organization's partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a nationally recognized book gifting program that mails free, high-quality, age-appropriate books each month to children from birth to age five. Awarded funds will be used toward book fees, ensuring that more young children in the community can receive books directly to their homes at no cost to families. This program helps foster early literacy, enrich home reading environments, and inspire a lifelong love of books among local children and their families.

Lorain County Imagination Library

Lorain County, Ohio

$47,500 Awarded

In support of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a nationally recognized book gifting program that mails free, high-quality, age-appropriate books each month to children from birth to age five. Awarded funds will be used toward book fees, ensuring that more young children in the community can receive books directly to their homes at no cost to families. This program helps foster early literacy, enrich home reading environments, and inspire a lifelong love of books among local children and their families.

Lorain County Urban League, Inc.

Lorain County, Ohio

$38,484 Awarded

Towards the Read and Rise program, a family literacy initiative serving Lorain County families with children ages 0–8. This six-week workshop series equips caregivers with hands-on strategies to build literacy at home, reinforces the vital role of parents as their child’s first and most important teacher, and helps create text-rich home environments by providing take-home books and caregiver resources to participating families. The program also removes barriers to participation by offering free dinner and childcare during each session, ensuring families can fully engage and support their children’s early literacy development.

Mad Factory, The

Lorain County, Ohio

$7,500 Awarded

Toward scholarships for under-resourced students from across Lorain County, enabling participation in 2024 summer arts programs that include music, visual arts, and theatre arts with performance opportunities. These scholarships help prevent summer learning loss by engaging students in creative, educational experiences culminating in public performances, fostering artistic skills, confidence, and academic readiness.

Mad Factory, The

Lorain County, Ohio

$7,500 Awarded

Toward scholarships for under-resourced students from across Lorain County, enabling participation in 2025 summer arts programs that include music, visual arts, and theatre arts with performance opportunities. These scholarships help prevent summer learning loss by engaging students in creative, educational experiences culminating in public performances, fostering artistic skills, confidence, and academic readiness.

Marana Unified School District

Pima County, Arizona

$5,000 Awarded

The 2024 Backpack and School Supplies Drive will provide students with essential school supplies ensuring they start the school year prepared and confident. Coordinated through the district’s Family Resource Center and supported by community partners, the drive includes distribution at the annual Backpack and Resource Fair and ongoing support throughout the year. This initiative removes barriers to learning by equipping students with the tools they need for academic success and a positive school experience.

New Mexico State University Foundation

Dona Ana County, New Mexico

$20,000 Awarded

In support of Young Women in Computing (YWiC) summer camps, which provide middle school students with hands-on computer science learning. The program offers engaging projects in coding, AI, and web development, fostering skills, confidence, and interest in technology careers. This grant expands access to YWiC, empowering more students to explore and succeed in computing.

North Pointe Ballet

Lorain County, Ohio

$10,000 Awarded

In support of Workshop Performances, Field Trip Performances, and On-Site Dance Education at Murray Ridge School for the 2024–2025 school year. Students will experience live, fully-costumed ballet excerpts performed by professional dancers, interactive movement activities, and engaging storytelling that bring classical ballet directly to the school environment.

Northern Ohio Youth Orchestra

Lorain County, Ohio

$7,500 Awarded

Toward scholarship funding to ensure that young musicians from diverse backgrounds across northern Ohio can participate in both summer camps and school-year ensembles. These scholarships remove financial barriers and open access to exceptional music education, rehearsal, and performance opportunities led by professional educators and artists from the Oberlin Conservatory.

OberlinKids Community Collaborative

Lorain County, Ohio

$15,000 Awarded

Towards OberlinKids Community Collaborative, uniting local schools, agencies, and organizations to help children, birth to five, enter kindergarten healthy and ready to learn. The program provides free, individualized support and resources focused on building emerging literacy skills through play-based activities and monthly Literacy and Learning Bags filled with books and hands-on materials for families. OberlinKids also offers developmental screenings, milestone checklists, and family workshops to guide caregivers in supporting their child’s growth. By making early literacy engaging and accessible, the collaborative strengthens kindergarten readiness and sets children on a path for lifelong learning in the Oberlin community.

Open Doors Academy

Cuyahoga County, Ohio

$22,500 Awarded

Towards a seven-week summer camp program for K–8 students designed to prevent summer learning loss and prepare scholars for the upcoming school year. The camp emphasizes daily reading literacy through themed English Language Arts activities that build comprehension, vocabulary, and a love of reading. In addition, ODA integrates a strong STEAM curriculum, engaging students in hands-on projects across science, technology, engineering, arts, and math, along with experiential learning opportunities through field trips and community partnerships. This combination fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills, empowering students for continued academic success.

Operation Warm

Pima County, Arizona

$5,500 Awarded

In support of the Warm Welcome to the Library initiative for the 2024–2025 academic year. The Many Nations Affinity Team from Pima County Public Library led student outreach at the San Xavier District on the Tohono O’odham Nation. As part of a back-to-school rally, 96 coats were distributed to students. The Many Nations Affinity Team is composed of Indigenous staff and allies who are dedicated to serving Native communities through culturally relevant programming, outreach, and advocacy. Their efforts ensure that Native students and families feel seen, supported, and connected to library resources.

Page Ahead Children's Literacy Advocates

King County, Washington

$20,000 Awarded

Toward 2024 Book Up Summer, a reading initiative designed to prevent summer learning loss among K–2 students in majority of low-income elementary schools. The program empowers students to maintain and improve their reading skills by allowing each student to select 12 brand-new books from a school-based book fair, at no cost to their families, to build their own home libraries for summer and beyond.

Page Ahead Children's Literacy Advocates

King County, Washington

$20,000 Awarded

Toward 2025 Book Up Summer, a reading initiative designed to prevent summer learning loss among K–2 students in majority of low-income elementary schools. The program empowers students to maintain and improve their reading skills by allowing each student to select 12 brand-new books from a school-based book fair, at no cost to their families, to build their own home libraries for summer and beyond.

Rainey Institute

Cuyahoga County, Ohio

$15,000 Awarded

Towards the Preschool Arts Enrichment Program providing high-quality weekly arts programming for preschoolers ages 3–5 throughout Cuyahoga County. Through engaging instruction in visual arts, music, movement, and drama led by professional teaching artists, the program nurtures creativity, self-expression, and early developmental skills in a supportive environment. Rainey Institute partners with local preschools and daycares to ensure accessible arts education, helping young children build a strong foundation for lifelong learning and growth.

Reach out and Read Northwest

King County, Washington

$9,600 Awarded

In support of a program that promotes early childhood literacy and healthy family relationships by integrating book distribution and reading guidance into pediatric care. Through this grant, medical providers at clinics across King County give free, developmentally appropriate books to children during well-child visits and coach parents on the benefits of reading aloud, supporting early brain development and language skills. This evidence-based program helps families build strong home libraries and fosters positive parent-child interactions, laying a foundation for children’s lifelong learning and success

Read to a Child

Hartford County, Connecticut

$25,000 Awarded

Toward Read to a Child Read Aloud Mentoring Program, supporting Hartford students by pairing them one-on-one with caring adult mentors for weekly read-aloud sessions at local elementary schools. Through these consistent, individualized experiences, students build literacy skills, develop a love of reading, and benefit from positive adult role models. The program is designed to foster improved reading confidence, socio-emotional well-being, and academic success for children in under-resourced communities.

San Juan Island Library District

San Juan County, Washington

$10,000 Awarded

Towards 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Early Literacy Program for the 2024–2025 school year. This program encourages parents and caregivers to read 1,000 books to their newborns, infants, and toddlers before they start kindergarten, fostering early literacy skills and a lifelong love of reading. Participants track their reading progress and receive incentives at milestones, helping to build strong language development and school readiness in young children throughout the community.

San Juan Island School District

San Juan County, Washington

$75,000 Awarded

In support of an innovative transitional kindergarten program for the 2024–2025 school year. This early education initiative serves as a bridge between preschool and kindergarten, providing four- and young five-year-olds with a developmentally appropriate, play-based curriculum that builds foundational skills in literacy, math, and social-emotional development. Transitional kindergarten is part of the public school system and designed to ensure that children who may not yet be ready for kindergarten gain the confidence, academic readiness, and social skills needed for future school success.

Save Our Children of Elyria

Lorain County, Ohio

$40,983 Awarded

In support of Dream Chasers Summer Program in summer 2024, an 8-week day camp serving students entering grades K–8. This program inspires youth to dream big and develop academic, social-emotional, and leadership skills through engaging activities and supportive mentorship. By providing a safe and enriching environment, Dream Chasers helps prevent summer learning loss and fosters confidence and growth among Elyria’s children, positively impacting their educational outcomes and community engagement.

Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio

Lorain County, Ohio

$75,000 Awarded

Toward the Lorain County School Food Program, providing nutritious food to students and families through school-based pantries and monthly distributions. The program partners with local schools and community organizations to reduce food insecurity by supplying healthy, shelf-stable, and fresh food options to children in need. This initiative plays a critical role in ensuring students have the nourishment necessary for academic success and overall well-being. The program’s ongoing efforts help foster healthier, more resilient communities throughout Lorain County.

Shoes & Clothes for Kids

Cuyahoga County, Ohio

$15,700 Awarded

Towards the Fall in Love with Reading Book Giveaway during the 2024–2025 school year. This program distributes thousands of free, high-quality books to students in need across Greater Cleveland, with over 21,500 books provided in 2024 alone. By partnering with teachers from 275 local schools and more than 40 districts, the initiative ensures that children living in poverty have access to engaging reading materials that inspire a lifelong love of books and support literacy development. The program is part of a broader effort to break barriers to school attendance and boost student confidence by equipping families with essential resources at no cost.

Southern Arizona Research Science Engineering Foundation

Pima County, Arizona

$30,000 Awarded

Toward STEM Education and Outreach Programs, providing hands-on learning to thousands of Southern Arizona students. Key initiatives include Summer STEM Camps for grades 4–8, the Arizona STEM Adventure event, and the annual Regional Science and Engineering Fair, which awards over $100,000 in prizes. These programs inspire curiosity, build critical skills, and expand access to STEM opportunities for diverse youth in the region.

Spark Theatre Company, Inc.

Lorain County, Ohio

$10,000 Awarded

Toward the 2024 summer camp program, which offers theatrical training for youth ages 7 to 18. The camps, held at the Stocker Arts Center on the campus of Lorain County Community College, provides professional instruction in acting, music, dance, and technical theatre disciplines such as lighting and set design. Over two weeks, campers collaborate to create original performances, culminating in a final show that builds confidence, creativity, and teamwork.

Sunnyside Foundation

Pima County, Arizona

$20,000 Awarded

Towards Excellence in Education, a program that enhances student learning by funding educator-led projects that strengthen reading literacy and STEAM education through mini-grants for classroom resources and activities. By fostering literacy and hands-on STEAM experiences, the program empowers students across the district to achieve academic success and develop critical 21st-century skills.

Team Read

King County, Washington

$25,000 Awarded

In support of a year-round tutoring program that pairs trained teen reading coaches with 2nd to 4th grade students reading at least one year below grade level. Through personalized, one-on-one tutoring afterschool and during the summer, the program builds foundational skills in fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension to help young readers gain confidence and academic success. This dual-impact model also provides meaningful paid jobs for teens, developing their work and life skills as they support younger students. Serving hundreds of students across Seattle and South King County, Team Read helps close education opportunity gaps and promotes equitable learning communities.

Tech Corps Ohio

Lorain County, Ohio

$29,500 Awarded

In support of Techie Camps held throughout Lorain County during the summer of 2024. These week-long, hands-on STEM camps engage middle school students in activities such as programming, robotics, app development, and 3D printing. Camps are offered at multiple locations across the community-including schools in Lorain, Elyria, Avon, Oberlin, and more-making STEM learning accessible to a broad range of youth.

Tech Corps Ohio

Lorain County, Ohio

$25,000 Awarded

In support of Techie Camps held throughout Lorain County during the summer of 2025. These week-long, hands-on STEM camps engage middle school students in activities such as programming, robotics, app development, and 3D printing. Camps are offered at multiple locations across the community-including schools in Lorain, Elyria, Avon, Oberlin, and more-making STEM learning accessible to a broad range of youth.

Tucson Festival of Books

Pima County, Arizona

$35,000 Awarded

In support of the Tucson Festival of Books, one of the largest book festivals in the United States. Since its founding in 2009, the festival has raised over $2.2 million for local literacy organizations, supporting programs that improve reading skills in Southern Arizona. With the support of The Stocker Foundation’s grant, the festival’s Children’s Free Book Tent distributes thousands of free books to children from PreK through fifth grade, furthering its mission to promote literacy and a lifelong love of reading among underserved youth in the community. The event also includes family-friendly activities, author panels, and exhibits, creating a vibrant celebration of literature and learning.

Tucson Youth Music

Pima County, Arizona

$25,000 Awarded

In support of a pilot project in partnership between Tucson Youth Music, the Tucson Police Department, and Sunnyside Unified School District. This innovative program, known as On Beat Studio, provides free music lessons and instruments to students at Sierra K-8, fostering positive relationships between youth and law enforcement through shared music-making experiences. The initiative aims to offer creative opportunities for students who might not otherwise have access to music education, while building community connections and supporting educational growth.

United Way of Greater Lorain County

Lorain County, Ohio

$12,250 Awarded

In support of a warming center as part of the Lorain County Continuum of Care. This grant will help provide emergency shelter and warmth to individuals experiencing homelessness during extreme cold weather, supplementing existing shelter capacity and ensuring vulnerable residents have access to safe, heated spaces.

United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona

Pima County, Arizona

$25,000 Awarded

Towards My Summer Library, a community-driven program that provides children in low-income schools with access to books and literacy activities. The program aims to improve 3rd-grade reading proficiency, build students’ home libraries, and reduce summer reading loss. This initiative helps ensure children maintain and develop their reading skills during the summer months.

YMCA of Southern Arizona

Pima County, Arizona

$10,000 Awarded

Towards the Summer 2024 Learning Enrichment Camp. This program offers students a dynamic summer experience combining academics with arts, STEAM activities, sports, and field trips. Designed to bridge learning gaps and promote academic success, the camp fosters a safe, engaging environment where campers build skills, confidence, and lasting friendships. Meals, swim lessons, and themed weekly activities enhance the holistic approach to summer learning and fun.

YouthSF

San Francisco County, California

$15,000 Awarded

Toward the Video Game Creation program during summer 2024, a key part of their STEAM-focused summer camp offerings. This program engages students in hands-on STEAM learning activities like coding, digital design, and game development using tools such as Bloxels and Tinkercad. It fosters creativity, critical thinking, and technical skills in a fun, supportive environment that integrates media arts with STEM education. YouthSF’s STEAM camps also include robotics, virtual reality, and maker projects, providing a comprehensive, standard-aligned learning experience for youth.

Grants Awarded in 2024

In 2024, The Stocker Foundation’s Board of Trustees approved 199 grants totaling over $2 million to communities served.