Funding positive change at the classroom level

The 1,000 Lights for Literacy Fund empowers teachers to make positive change by giving large grants to teachers to power classroom literacy programs. Grants will be awarded each year for amazing and bold literacy programs created by classroom teachers. Pulling together, donors can make a tremendous impact in our communities around the world.

The fund seeks $1,000 donations from 1,000 individuals or groups, raising $1 million in a year. The interest generated from the $1 million endowment will fund large grants ($10,000 or greater) in the literacy field. Donors will vote on how the earnings from the endowment are spent.

We know teachers can do extraordinary things with small amounts - what can they do with a large amount? Join us and find out.

As a contributor, you reach directly into the classroom to help great teachers provide amazing literacy programs.

Taffey Raphael speaks about her involvement in the Lights for Literacy project

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Donations start strong

The first two donations happened quickly:

• The Tennessee Reading Association made the first $1,000 gift
• Attendees of the Leadership Development Workshop raised $1,000 in two hours. Their gift will be used to honor Sarah Womble, a longtime IRA Leadership Development Associate

Keep the momentum going and donate today!

Any IRA member anywhere in the world can apply for these grants. More details on the grant process will be available later.

 

You can make a personal donation or gather a group — local reading councils, schools, clubs — any group of people interested in helping teachers can participate in the fund.

For more information, contact IRA's Director of Development, Barbara Teter, by phone at 800-336-7323, ext. 480 or by bteter@reading.org.