Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy
ActiveArts, Culture & Humanities
About Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy
The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy is committed to building a stronger, more equitable America through literacy.
Focus Areas
LiteracyAdult literacyFamily literacyEducationLiteracy mentoringLiteracy technologyResearch and advocacy
Who They Fund
parents/caregiversadult learnersyoung children/early learnersK-12 youtheducators and teacherscommunity-based literacy organizations
Funding Style
About Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy
The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy Inc. builds its grantmaking around family literacy, with a national set of programs that combine reading, learning, and practical support for children, parents, and caregivers. One centennial initiative stands out: the Barbara Bush Foundation National Family Literacy Network, created to establish and support 100 exemplary family literacy programs nationwide and to strengthen growth, sustainability, practitioner knowledge, and data collection. That programmatic approach also appears in other efforts tied to access and engagement. Literacy Explorer Kits distribute free materials to sites across the country, while Book Explorers supports volunteer reading mentoring for first- through third-graders through schools and community organizations. The foundation also uses public-facing events and contests, including the Literacy Everywhere Contest and the Celebration of Reading sponsorship opportunities, to connect families and supporters with literacy-focused programming. Its recent grants show education support in a range of school and community settings, including awards to Briya Public Charter School, Curators of the University of Missouri, and Literacy Minnesota. The foundation’s work centers literacy as both a direct service and a capacity-building tool, especially for family and adult learning.
What Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy Funds
Family literacy is the clearest thread in the foundation’s programming. The Barbara Bush Foundation National Family Literacy Network is a centennial initiative designed to establish and support 100 exemplary family literacy programs nationwide, with attention to sustainability, practitioner knowledge, and data collection. Early literacy resources are another emphasis. Literacy Explorer Kits provide free materials to 100 sites across the country, including libraries, family literacy programs, and community organizations, to support family reading, play, and learning. Reading mentoring appears through Book Explorers, a program for first- through third-graders that includes volunteer mentors, parent guides, and mentor guides. The foundation also extends into adult literacy and learning technology through the Barbara Bush Foundation Adult Literacy XPRIZE, a competition developed with the Dollar General Literacy Foundation to challenge teams to build mobile apps for adults improving literacy.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$22.3M
Total Assets
$2.5M
Total Revenue
$6.6M
Total Expenses
$27.3M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $7K and $15K, with a median of $12K.
25th Percentile
$7K
Median
$12K
75th Percentile
$15K
Geographic Reach
National7 states funded
About 5% of grants go to recipients in FL.
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
ANDREW ROBERTS
Accepts unsolicited proposals
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