The Dollar General Literacy Foundation announced the award of approximately $458,000 in literacy grants to Texas nonprofit organizations. These grants are part of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation’s largest one-day grant announcement, which supports summer, family and adult literacy programs. In total, the Foundation awarded more than $8.6 million to approximately 970 nonprofit organizations, libraries and schools to support the educational journey of more than 663,000 individuals, which aim to enhance local literacy and education initiatives throughout the communities Dollar General serves.
“During these extraordinary times, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation remains steadfast in its commitment to support communities’ literacy and educational advancements through funds that will impact thousands of students across the country,” said Todd Vasos, Dollar General’s CEO and Dollar General Literacy Foundation board member. “We are proud to support the meaningful and impactful work that each of today’s recipients conduct and support their ongoing efforts to help individuals improve their lives through literacy and education.”
Grant recipients plan to use awarded funds to promote literacy and learning across a variety of programs including promoting childhood summer reading, helping adults learn to read and prepare for the high school equivalency exam and helping individuals to learn English. Texas recipients are listed below and a comprehensive list of grant recipients may be found online at www.dgliteracy.org. The grants awarded to Texas organizations are expected to positively impact the lives of more than 32,000 residents.
Organization
City
County
Grant Amount
Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans
Houston
Harris
$10,000.00
BakerRipley
Houston
Harris
$6,000.00
Boys & Girls Club of El Campo
El Campo
Wharton
$1,000.00
Boys & Girls Club of Palacios
Palacios
Matagorda
$700.00
Children's Summer Reading Program, Wharton County Library, Main Branch
Wharton
Wharton
$1,000.00
Friends of the Chambers County Library System
Anahuac
Chambers
$500.00
Humble Area Assistance Ministries
Humble
Harris
$10,000.00
HYPE Freedom School, Inc.
Pearland
Brazoria
$3,000.00
Leander ISD Education Excellence Foundation
Leander
Williamson
$2,000.00
Literacy Council of Williamson County
Georgetown
Williamson
$10,000.00
Memorial Assistance Ministries
Houston
Harris
$6,000.00
Palacios Community Hub
Palacios
Matagorda
$2,000.00
Scarborough Elementary
Houston
Harris
$3,000.00
Young Audiences, Inc. of Houston
Houston
Harris
$3,000.00
“For more than 26 years, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has invested in programs that help uplift and empower others through education,” said Denine Torr, executive director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. “In the wake of the pandemic as more youth are in need of academic support and an increased number of adults are looking to enhance their basic skills and employability, we proudly continue our support of basic education and literacy initiatives for individuals of all ages. We are grateful for the hardworking teachers and nonprofit leaders who are serving students in our hometown communities and hope these funds help advance their efforts.”
In addition to the adult, family and summer program grants announced today, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation is currently accepting applications for youth literacy grants through Thursday, May 21, 2020 until 10 p.m. CT. Youth literacy grants support schools, public libraries and nonprofit organizations in implementing new literacy efforts or expanding existing ones. Funding can be used to purchase new technology, equipment, books, materials or software to enhance literacy programs.