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
$84.6M
$31.6M
$19.1M
Most grants fall between $8K and $10K, with a median of $9K.
25th Percentile
$8K
Median
$9K
75th Percentile
$10K
ANITA ELLIOTT
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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.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
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: 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.
Track these deadlines, get reminders, and see how well your nonprofit fits — free with a Kindora account.
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 FEDERATION | FAIRFIELD, CT | $1,345,500 | 2026 | INVESTING IN RURAL C |
| PROLITERACY WORLDWIDE | SYRACUSE, NY | $1,301,428 | 2026 | INNOVATIVE APPROACHE |
| THE AD COUNCIL | NEW YORK, NY | $942,996 | 2026 | PROGRAM EXECUTION - |
| READING IS FUNDAMENTAL INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $870,000 | 2026 | RIF X DOLLAR GENERAL |
| NATIONAL CENTER FOR FAMILIES LEARNI | LOUISVILLE, KY | $580,000 | 2026 | FAMILY LEARNING IN T |
| NASHVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $500,000 | 2026 | LIMITLESS LIBRARIES |
| AMERICAN INDIAN COLLEGE FUND | DENVER, CO | $434,000 | 2026 | NATIVE STUDENTS STEP |
| PROLITERACY | SYRACUSE, NY | $400,000 | 2026 | ALL IN 2.0 BACKBONE |
| UNITED THROUGH READING | SAN DIEGO, CA | $350,000 | 2026 | STORYTIME AND LITERA |
| YWCA NASHVILLE & MIDDLE TENNESSEE | NASHVILLE, TN | $230,000 | 2026 | YWCA NASHVILLE'S FAM |
| NATIONAL AFTERSCHOOL ASSIOCIATION | OAKTON, VA | $200,000 | 2026 | DISCOVER LITERACY |
| COALITION ON ADULT BASIC EDUCATION | BRADENTON, FL | $200,000 | 2026 | COABE'S TRANSFORMATI |
| KIDS IN NEED FOUNDATION | ROSEVILLE, MN | $200,000 | 2026 | SECOND RESPONDER |
| PENCIL FOUNDATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $200,000 | 2026 | DG PENCIL BOX: PROVI |
| NASHVILLE ADULT LITERACY COUNCIL I | NASHVILLE, TN | $185,000 | 2026 | DONOR APPRECIATION E |
| YMCA OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE | NASHVILLE, TN | $175,000 | 2026 | YMCA YOUTH LITERACY |
| THE BARBARA BUSH FOUNDATION FOR FAM | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2026 | ALL IN PHASE 3: NATI |
| THE OASIS INSTITUTE | ST ANN, MO | $100,000 | 2026 | INTERGENERATIONAL TU |
| GOVERNOR'S EARLY LITERACY FOUNDATIO | NASHVILLE, TN | $80,000 | 2026 | LIBROTAD |
| TENNESSEE COLLEGE ACCESS AND SUCCES | NASHVILLE, TN | $75,000 | 2026 | GOAL COLLECTIVE (GRO |
| CHAPTER ONE NFP | ODESSA, FL | $50,000 | 2026 | HIGH IMPACT TUTORING |
| RAISING READERS NASHVILLE | NASHVILLE, TN | $50,000 | 2026 | RAISING READERS NASH |
| THE SCHOOL BOARD OF PINELLAS COUNTY | LARGO, FL | $50,000 | 2026 | GULF BEACHES ELEMENT |
| FOUNDATION FOR RURAL EDUCATION EXCE | PALATKA, FL | $50,000 | 2026 | MARKING THE WAY TO L |
| GREENBRIER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | GREENBRIER, TN | $50,000 | 2026 | KELLANOVA READING RE |
| COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS OF TENNESSEE | NASHVILLE, TN | $50,000 | 2026 | INTEGRATED STUDENTS |
| MARTHA O'BRYAN CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $48,000 | 2026 | MOBC ADULT EDUCATION |
| NASHVILLE INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR | NASHVILLE, TN | $48,000 | 2026 | NICE - ADULT AND FAM |
| WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY FOUNDAT | BOWLING GREEN, KY | $43,000 | 2026 | ADULT LITERACY CLINI |
| NASHVILLE PUBLIC TELEVISION | NASHVILLE, TN | $40,000 | 2026 | LEARNING TO READ INT |
| HELP US GROW FOUNDATION INC | LOUISVILLE, KY | $30,000 | 2026 | H.U.G. & WIN H.U.G. |
| TEACH FOR AMERICA | NASHVILLE, TN | $30,000 | 2026 | TACKLING LITERACY IN |
| GRACE PLACE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILI | NAPLES, FL | $28,000 | 2026 | ADULT EDUCATION |
| BACKFIELD IN MOTION | NASHVILLE, TN | $28,000 | 2026 | BIM FAMILY LITERACY |
| E & B FIELDS COMMUNITY SERVICE PROG | SAWYERVILLE, AL | $28,000 | 2026 | BLACKBELT R.I.S.E.: |
| AFTERNOON ADVENTURE LEARNING CENTER | NEWTON, MS | $27,000 | 2026 | READING TOGETHER, GR |
| TENNESSEE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2026 | TPAC EDUCATION - ART |
| FIFTYFORWARD | NASHVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2026 | FOSTER GRANDPARENT P |
| PROJECT TRANSFORMATION TENNESSEE I | NASHVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2026 | PROJECT TRANSFORMATI |
| VOX PRESS INC | OXFORD, MS | $25,000 | 2026 | CHILDREN WITH INCARC |
| COASTAL ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE | BAY MINETTE, AL | $20,000 | 2026 | COASTAL ALABAMA FAMI |
| LEE COUNTY LITERACY COALITION | OPELIKA, AL | $20,000 | 2026 | LEGACY LEARNING PROJ |
| ROGERS PUBLIC SCHOOLS | ROGERS, AR | $20,000 | 2026 | REBUILD FOR A BETTER |
| WATER FOR ISHMAEL | TOLEDO, OH | $20,000 | 2026 | FOUNDATIONS IN ENGLI |
| PORTAL OF COMMENCEMENT MIDPOINT SHE | ATLANTA, GA | $20,000 | 2026 | SECOND CHAPTER |
| SERVING OUR NEIGHBORS MINISTRIES | HILLIARD, OH | $20,000 | 2026 | FESTA ADULT ENGLISH |
| GREATER INDIANAPOLIS LITERACY LEAGU | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $20,000 | 2026 | ADULT LITERACY FOR E |
| PERRYVILLE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL | PERRYVILLE, MO | $20,000 | 2026 | THE DOROTHY PROJECT |
| W W IRBY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | ALACHUA, FL | $20,000 | 2026 | DGLF X RIF 20TH ANNI |
| ALACHUA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | ALACHUA, FL | $20,000 | 2026 | DGLF X RIF 20TH ANNI |
SAVE THE CHILDREN FEDERATION
$1,345,500INVESTING IN RURAL C
PROLITERACY WORLDWIDE
$1,301,428INNOVATIVE APPROACHE
THE AD COUNCIL
$942,996PROGRAM EXECUTION -
READING IS FUNDAMENTAL INC
$870,000RIF X DOLLAR GENERAL
NATIONAL CENTER FOR FAMILIES LEARNI
$580,000FAMILY LEARNING IN T
NASHVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION
$500,000LIMITLESS LIBRARIES
AMERICAN INDIAN COLLEGE FUND
$434,000NATIVE STUDENTS STEP
PROLITERACY
$400,000ALL IN 2.0 BACKBONE
UNITED THROUGH READING
$350,000STORYTIME AND LITERA
YWCA NASHVILLE & MIDDLE TENNESSEE
$230,000YWCA NASHVILLE'S FAM
NATIONAL AFTERSCHOOL ASSIOCIATION
$200,000DISCOVER LITERACY
COALITION ON ADULT BASIC EDUCATION
$200,000COABE'S TRANSFORMATI
KIDS IN NEED FOUNDATION
$200,000SECOND RESPONDER
PENCIL FOUNDATION
$200,000DG PENCIL BOX: PROVI
NASHVILLE ADULT LITERACY COUNCIL I
$185,000DONOR APPRECIATION E
YMCA OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE
$175,000YMCA YOUTH LITERACY
THE BARBARA BUSH FOUNDATION FOR FAM
$100,000ALL IN PHASE 3: NATI
THE OASIS INSTITUTE
$100,000INTERGENERATIONAL TU
GOVERNOR'S EARLY LITERACY FOUNDATIO
$80,000LIBROTAD
TENNESSEE COLLEGE ACCESS AND SUCCES
$75,000GOAL COLLECTIVE (GRO
CHAPTER ONE NFP
$50,000HIGH IMPACT TUTORING
RAISING READERS NASHVILLE
$50,000RAISING READERS NASH
THE SCHOOL BOARD OF PINELLAS COUNTY
$50,000GULF BEACHES ELEMENT
FOUNDATION FOR RURAL EDUCATION EXCE
$50,000MARKING THE WAY TO L
GREENBRIER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
$50,000KELLANOVA READING RE
COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS OF TENNESSEE
$50,000INTEGRATED STUDENTS
MARTHA O'BRYAN CENTER
$48,000MOBC ADULT EDUCATION
NASHVILLE INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR
$48,000NICE - ADULT AND FAM
WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY FOUNDAT
$43,000ADULT LITERACY CLINI
NASHVILLE PUBLIC TELEVISION
$40,000LEARNING TO READ INT
HELP US GROW FOUNDATION INC
$30,000H.U.G. & WIN H.U.G.
TEACH FOR AMERICA
$30,000TACKLING LITERACY IN
GRACE PLACE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILI
$28,000ADULT EDUCATION
BACKFIELD IN MOTION
$28,000BIM FAMILY LITERACY
E & B FIELDS COMMUNITY SERVICE PROG
$28,000BLACKBELT R.I.S.E.:
AFTERNOON ADVENTURE LEARNING CENTER
$27,000READING TOGETHER, GR
TENNESSEE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
$25,000TPAC EDUCATION - ART
FIFTYFORWARD
$25,000FOSTER GRANDPARENT P
PROJECT TRANSFORMATION TENNESSEE I
$25,000PROJECT TRANSFORMATI
VOX PRESS INC
$25,000CHILDREN WITH INCARC
COASTAL ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$20,000COASTAL ALABAMA FAMI
LEE COUNTY LITERACY COALITION
$20,000LEGACY LEARNING PROJ
ROGERS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$20,000REBUILD FOR A BETTER
WATER FOR ISHMAEL
$20,000FOUNDATIONS IN ENGLI
PORTAL OF COMMENCEMENT MIDPOINT SHE
$20,000SECOND CHAPTER
SERVING OUR NEIGHBORS MINISTRIES
$20,000FESTA ADULT ENGLISH
GREATER INDIANAPOLIS LITERACY LEAGU
$20,000ADULT LITERACY FOR E
PERRYVILLE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
$20,000THE DOROTHY PROJECT
W W IRBY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
$20,000DGLF X RIF 20TH ANNI
ALACHUA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
$20,000DGLF X RIF 20TH ANNI