The Dollar General Literacy Foundation helps individuals of all ages pursue their educational goals and achieve their dreams by investing in literacy programs that help students learn to read, prepare for the high school equivalency test or learn English.
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation gives at scale through repeated partnership grants to a small set of literacy organizations. Across the recent grants listed, Save the Children received $1.7 million in 2023, another $1.7 million in 2024, and $1.7 million in 2025, showing a multi-year commitment to youth literacy. The foundation also backed The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy with $1.6 million in 2023 for adult literacy, and it supported The Ad Council, Reading Is Fundamental Inc, Learning Ally Inc, and Proliteracy Worldwide with large grants that extend its reach across age groups and delivery models. Its portfolio points to a funder that works through established intermediaries rather than direct service to individuals. Recent awards include support for youth literacy, adult literacy, family literacy, and English language learning, along with grants tied to school libraries, summer reading, and GED/HSE preparation. The foundation’s giving pattern suggests a sector-specific strategy: fund organizations already operating at national or regional scale, then direct resources to literacy programming that serves children, adults, and families. Nashville Public Library Foundation appears in the recent grants list with awards for adult, family, and youth work, reinforcing that the foundation funds literacy across life stages rather than a single age segment.
In youth literacy, the foundation backed Sesame Workshop with $1 million in 2024 for a youth literacy partnership, and it also gave Donors Choose $1 million in 2023 for youth literacy. Reading Is Fundamental Inc received multiple youth-literacy grants as well, including $570,074 in 2024 and $564,165 in 2023. Adult learning is another consistent lane. The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy received $1.6 million in 2023 for adult literacy, while Proliteracy Worldwide was awarded $1 million in 2024 for adult literacy and an additional $850,000 in 2025 as a partner. Southern Methodist University received $400,000 in 2024 for adult literacy. The foundation also funds family-oriented and community-based literacy work. Nashville Public Library Foundation received $1,449,254 in 2025 for adult, family, and youth programming, and The Ad Council was supported in 2025 with $1,459,973 as a partner and in 2024 with $358,175 for adult literacy.
$14.5M
$69.8M
$27.4M
$18.8M
Most grants fall between $8K and $10K, with a median of $9K.
25th Percentile
$8K
Median
$9K
75th Percentile
$10K
About 14% of grants go to recipients in TN.
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Typical grants cluster tightly around a modest size: the 25th percentile is $8,000, the median is $9,000, and the 75th percentile is $10,000. The recent-grant list also shows occasional large partnership awards in the six- and seven-figure range, reflecting a mix of small grants and major program commitments. The foundation appears to favor recurring relationships. Save the Children, Reading Is Fundamental Inc, Learning Ally Inc, Proliteracy Worldwide, The Ad Council, American Indian College Fund, and Nashville Public Library Foundation all appear more than once across recent years. It is a regular funder and does not fund individuals. The grant pattern is programmatic and targeted to literacy-focused organizations, with partnerships recurring across years rather than one-off support.
The grant recipient base is entirely U.S.-based in the data provided, with 1,513 grants to U.S. organizations. Tennessee is the top state by grant count, and 14% of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state. Recent recipient cities include Fairfield, Connecticut; New York, New York; Nashville, Tennessee; Syracuse, New York; and Washington, DC. The list also includes recipients in Princeton, New Jersey, Dallas, Texas, and Denver, Colorado, showing a broad regional spread within the United States.
The recent grants point to youth literacy, adult literacy, family literacy, English language learning, school libraries, summer reading, and GED/HSE preparation. Awards also name community partners working through literacy programs for children, adults, and families.
Yes. Save the Children appears with $1.7 million in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Other repeat recipients include Reading Is Fundamental Inc, Learning Ally Inc, Proliteracy Worldwide, The Ad Council, American Indian College Fund, and Nashville Public Library Foundation.
The grant-size distribution is tightly clustered: p25 is $8,000, median is $9,000, and p75 is $10,000. The recent grants list also includes larger partnership awards in the hundreds of thousands and millions of dollars.
The grant recipient distribution is entirely U.S.-based in the data provided, with 1,513 grants to U.S. organizations. Tennessee receives the highest share of grants by count, and 14% of grants go to recipients in Tennessee.
No. The foundation does not fund individuals, and the recent grants are made to organizations such as Save the Children, The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, The Ad Council, and Reading Is Fundamental Inc.
ANITA ELLIOTT
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Dollar General Literacy Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Organizations that provide direct services to adults in need of literacy assistance in adult education instruction, GED or high school equivalency preparation, or English language acquisition.
Deadline: Next cycle opens in January 2027.
Who can apply: Local nonprofit organizations, schools, and libraries are eligible if their programs target pre-K through 12th-grade students who are new readers, below grade level readers, or readers with learning disabilities.
Deadline: Next cycle opens in January 2027.
Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations that support the whole family in literacy and provide adult education instruction, children's education, and parent and child together time (PACT).
Deadline: Next cycle opens in January 2027.
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAVE THE CHILDREN | FAIRFIELD, CT | $1,700,000 | 2025 | PARTNER |
| THE AD COUNCIL | NEW YORK, NY | $1,459,973 | 2025 | PARTNER |
| NASHVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $1,449,254 | 2025 | ADULT, FAMILY, YOUTH |
| PROLITERACY WORLDWIDE | SYRACUSE, NY | $850,000 | 2025 | PARTNER |
| READING IS FUNDAMENTAL INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $756,124 | 2025 | PARTNER |
| LEARNING ALLY INC | PRINCETON, NJ | $602,000 | 2025 | PARTNER |
| AMERICAN INDIAN COLLEGE FUND | DENVER, CO | $300,000 | 2025 | PARTNER |
| NATIONAL CENTER FOR FAMILIES LEARNI | LOUISVILLE, KY | $265,000 | 2025 | PARTNER |
| KIDS IN NEED FOUNDATION | ROSEVILLE, MN | $250,000 | 2025 | PARTNER |
| YWCA NASHVILLE & MIDDLE TENNESSEE | NASHVILLE, TN | $215,000 | 2025 | ADULT LITERACY |
| UNITED THROUGH READING | SAN DIEGO, CA | $200,000 | 2025 | PARTNER |
| NATIONAL AFTERSCHOOL ASSOCIATION I | OAKTON, VA | $200,000 | 2025 | PARTNER |
| YMCA OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE | NASHVILLE, TN | $175,000 | 2025 | YOUTH LITERACY |
| PENCIL FOUNDATION | NASHVIE, TN | $175,000 | 2025 | PARTNER |
| JUMPSTART FOR YOUNG CHILDREN INC | BOSTON, MA | $150,000 | 2025 | PARTNER |
| COALITION ON ADULT BASIC EDUCATION | BRADENTON, FL | $150,000 | 2025 | PARTNER |
| NASHVILLE ADULT LITERACY COUNCIL | NASHVILLE, TN | $140,000 | 2025 | ADULT LITERACY |
| INSTRUCTION PARTNERS | NASHVILLE, TN | $125,000 | 2025 | PARTNER |
| GOVERNOR'S EARLY LITERACY FOUNDATIO | NASHVILLE, TN | $100,000 | 2025 | PARTNER |
| JOBS FOR AMERICA'S GRADUATES | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $100,000 | 2025 | PARTNER |
| TENNESSEE COLLEGE ACCESS AND SUCCES | NASHVILLE, TN | $85,000 | 2025 | PARTNER |
| NASHVILLE PUBLIC TELEVISION INC | NASHVILLE, TN | $60,000 | 2025 | FAMILY & YOUTH LIT. |
| LITERACY COALITION OF THE PERMIAN B | MIDLAND, TX | $50,000 | 2025 | PARTNER |
| COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS OF TENNESSEE | NASHVILLE, TN | $50,000 | 2025 | YOUTH LITERACY |
| MARTHA O'BRYAN CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $48,000 | 2025 | ADULT & FAMILY LIT. |
| NASHVILLE PUBLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATI | NASHVILLE, TN | $40,000 | 2025 | PARTNER |
| WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY FOUNDAT | BOWLING GREEN, KY | $40,000 | 2025 | ADULT LITERACY |
| NASHVILLE INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR | NASHVILLE, TN | $38,000 | 2025 | ADULT & FAMILY LIT. |
| HELP US GROW FOUNDATION INC | LOUISVILLE, KY | $34,000 | 2025 | YOUTH LITERACY |
| CONEXION AMERICAS | NASHVILLE, TN | $30,000 | 2025 | ADULT & FAMILY LIT. |
| STORYLAND THE BRONX BOOK HAVEN | BRONX, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | PARTNER |
| TENNESSEE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2025 | PARTNER |
| PROJECT TRANSFORMATION TENNESSEE | NASHVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2025 | SUMMER READING |
| BOOK EM | NASHVILLE, TN | $24,000 | 2025 | FAMILY & YOUTH LIT. |
| EAST NASHVILLE HOPE EXCHANGE | NASHVILLE, TN | $23,000 | 2025 | YOUTH LIT., SUMMER |
| BACKFIELD IN MOTION | NASHVILLE, TN | $23,000 | 2025 | ADULT & FAMILY LIT. |
| THE FAMILY PROJECT INC | BATON ROUGE, LA | $23,000 | 2025 | ADULT & FAMILY LIT. |
| TEACH FOR AMERICA NASHVILLE-CHATTAN | NASHVILLE, TN | $22,000 | 2025 | YOUTH LIT., SUMMER |
| VOX PRESS INC | OXFORD, MS | $21,500 | 2025 | ADULT, FAMILY, YOUTH |
| WATER FOR ISHMAEL | TOLEDO, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | ADULT & FAMILY LIT. |
| GLENCLIFF HIGH SCHOOL | NASHVILLE, TN | $20,000 | 2025 | ADULT LITERACY |
| MICAVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | BURNSVILLE, NC | $20,000 | 2025 | BEYOND WORDS |
| SOUTH BALDWIN LITERACY COUNCIL | FOLEY, AL | $20,000 | 2025 | ADULT & FAMILY LIT. |
| UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF NASHVILLE | NASHVILLE, TN | $20,000 | 2025 | SUMMER READING |
| LEE COUNTY LITERACY COALITION | OPELIKA, AL | $20,000 | 2025 | ADULT & FAMILY LIT. |
| LITERACY MINNESOTA | ST PAUL, MN | $20,000 | 2025 | ADULT & FAMILY LIT. |
| HORRY COUNTY ADULT EDUCATION | CONWAY, SC | $18,300 | 2025 | FAMILY & ADULT LIT. |
| NORTHWEST SHOALS COMMUNITY COLLEGE | MUSCLE SHOALS, AL | $18,000 | 2025 | ADULT & FAMILY LIT. |
| FIFTYFORWARD | NASHVILLE, TN | $17,500 | 2025 | PARTNER |
| YWCA TULSA INC | TULSA, OK | $17,500 | 2025 | ADULT & FAMILY LIT. |
SAVE THE CHILDREN
$1,700,000PARTNER
THE AD COUNCIL
$1,459,973PARTNER
NASHVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION
$1,449,254ADULT, FAMILY, YOUTH
PROLITERACY WORLDWIDE
$850,000PARTNER
READING IS FUNDAMENTAL INC
$756,124PARTNER
LEARNING ALLY INC
$602,000PARTNER
AMERICAN INDIAN COLLEGE FUND
PARTNER
NATIONAL CENTER FOR FAMILIES LEARNI
$265,000PARTNER
KIDS IN NEED FOUNDATION
$250,000PARTNER
YWCA NASHVILLE & MIDDLE TENNESSEE
$215,000ADULT LITERACY
UNITED THROUGH READING
$200,000PARTNER
NATIONAL AFTERSCHOOL ASSOCIATION I
$200,000PARTNER
YMCA OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE
$175,000YOUTH LITERACY
PENCIL FOUNDATION
$175,000PARTNER
JUMPSTART FOR YOUNG CHILDREN INC
$150,000PARTNER
COALITION ON ADULT BASIC EDUCATION
$150,000PARTNER
NASHVILLE ADULT LITERACY COUNCIL
$140,000ADULT LITERACY
INSTRUCTION PARTNERS
$125,000PARTNER
GOVERNOR'S EARLY LITERACY FOUNDATIO
$100,000PARTNER
JOBS FOR AMERICA'S GRADUATES
$100,000PARTNER
TENNESSEE COLLEGE ACCESS AND SUCCES
$85,000PARTNER
NASHVILLE PUBLIC TELEVISION INC
$60,000FAMILY & YOUTH LIT.
LITERACY COALITION OF THE PERMIAN B
$50,000PARTNER
COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS OF TENNESSEE
$50,000YOUTH LITERACY
MARTHA O'BRYAN CENTER
$48,000ADULT & FAMILY LIT.
NASHVILLE PUBLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATI
$40,000PARTNER
WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY FOUNDAT
$40,000ADULT LITERACY
NASHVILLE INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR
$38,000ADULT & FAMILY LIT.
HELP US GROW FOUNDATION INC
$34,000YOUTH LITERACY
CONEXION AMERICAS
$30,000ADULT & FAMILY LIT.
STORYLAND THE BRONX BOOK HAVEN
$25,000PARTNER
TENNESSEE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
$25,000PARTNER
PROJECT TRANSFORMATION TENNESSEE
$25,000SUMMER READING
BOOK EM
$24,000FAMILY & YOUTH LIT.
EAST NASHVILLE HOPE EXCHANGE
$23,000YOUTH LIT., SUMMER
BACKFIELD IN MOTION
$23,000ADULT & FAMILY LIT.
THE FAMILY PROJECT INC
$23,000ADULT & FAMILY LIT.
TEACH FOR AMERICA NASHVILLE-CHATTAN
$22,000YOUTH LIT., SUMMER
VOX PRESS INC
$21,500ADULT, FAMILY, YOUTH
WATER FOR ISHMAEL
$20,000ADULT & FAMILY LIT.
GLENCLIFF HIGH SCHOOL
$20,000ADULT LITERACY
MICAVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
$20,000BEYOND WORDS
SOUTH BALDWIN LITERACY COUNCIL
$20,000ADULT & FAMILY LIT.
UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF NASHVILLE
$20,000SUMMER READING
LEE COUNTY LITERACY COALITION
$20,000ADULT & FAMILY LIT.
LITERACY MINNESOTA
$20,000ADULT & FAMILY LIT.
HORRY COUNTY ADULT EDUCATION
$18,300FAMILY & ADULT LIT.
NORTHWEST SHOALS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$18,000ADULT & FAMILY LIT.
FIFTYFORWARD
$17,500PARTNER
YWCA TULSA INC
$17,500ADULT & FAMILY LIT.