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Page explicitly states applications for the 2025-2026 cycle are open through February 2, 2026, matching the stored deadline.
ALA Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant is a program from the American Library Association that provides $2,000 grants to libraries for community engagement projects. The 2025-2026 theme is Libraries as a Lifeline: Building Belonging for All, encouraging libraries to develop programming that fosters connection, inclusion, and community resilience.
Eligible applicants are libraries serving as the lead organization that work collaboratively with community members and at least one partner organization. Applications for the 2025-2026 cycle were due February 2, 2026.
The program is part of ALA's broader Libraries Transforming Communities initiative, which supports dialogue and deliberation-based programming and helps libraries serve as centers for civic engagement and community building.
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Libraries Transform Communities: Engagement Grant | ALA Library funding is under threat. Find out how you can show up for libraries: ala. org/showup .
ALA Forward Member Updates Banned & Challenged Books Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Conferences & Events Home Past & Future ALA Conferences Criteria for Conference Site Selection Book, Print & Media Awards Recommended Print & Media Lists Programming & Exhibitions Libraries Transforming Communities Research & Library Topics ALA Standards and Guidelines ALA Organizational Support Programming & Exhibitions Libraries Transform Communities: Engagement Grant ALA Research & Library Topics Frequently Asked Questions About Books and Reading Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study Librarianship & Library Staff Statistics Library directors: gender and salary Racial and ethnic diversity among librarians: a status report Collective Bargaining Agreements and Pay Systems Library Support Staff Job Titles Partial Results from Schools and Staffing Survey 1999-2000 Spending on Staff Development American Library Association Periodicals Book Donations (and Magazines) Building Libraries & Library Additions Cataloging Tools and Resources Internet Access and Digital Holdings in Libraries Joint-Use Libraries Bibliography Library Disaster Preparedness & Response Library Operating Expenditures Library Policy Development Library Products, Consultants Links to Library Web Resources Number Employed in Libraries Researching Banned & Challenged Books Top 100 Libraries (per collection) Center for the Future of Libraries How to Respond to Challenges and Concerns about Library Resources Formal Requests for Reconsideration Guidelines for Reconsideration Committees Guidance for Holding a Public Meeting Selection & Reconsideration Policy Toolkit Answering Questions about Youth and Access to Library Resources Working with Community Leaders "Report Censorship" Toolkit Libraries Transforming Communities What Is Community Engagement?
Community Engagement around the World Accessible Small and Rural Communities Focus on Small and Rural Libraries LTC: Libraries as Leaders in Bridging Divides Dialogue & Deliberation Resources Conflicts of Interest Q&A Enforcement of the Code of Ethics Q&A Speech in the Workplace Q&A Programming & Exhibitions About the ALA Public Programs Office Apply for Programming Grants and Awards Support ALA's Cultural Communities Fund Aging Together: An Evaluation of Library Programming for Older Adults Americans and the Holocaust Digital Pathways: Online Health Literacy Programming for Adults Libraries Transform Communities: Engagement Grant Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities Libraries Transforming Communities: Libraries as Leaders in Bridging Divides Media Literacy Education in Libraries for Adult Audiences National Impact of Library Public Programs Assessment Peggy Barber Tribute Grant Pulitzer on the Road: Prize-Winning Works that Inform, Empower & Inspire Resilient Communities: Advancing Sustainability in and through Libraries Sara Jaffarian School Library Program Award American Dream Literacy Initiative American Rescue Plan: Humanities Grants for Libraries Bridging Cultures Bookshelf: Muslim Journeys Building Common Ground: Discussions of Community, Civility and Compassion Dust, Drought, and Dreams Gone Dry Engage!
Picturing America through Civic Engagement Latino Americans: 500 Years of History Let's Talk About It: Women's Suffrage Libraries Transforming Communities: Facilitation Skills for Small and Rural Libraries Media Literacy @ Your Library New Americans Library Project Resilient Communities: Libraries Respond to the Climate Change Skills for 21st-Century Librarians STAR_Net Steam Equity Project StoryCorps @ your library Teaching with Primary Sources: Women's Suffrage & Libraries Thinking Money for Kids Traveling Exhibit Visions of the Universe: Four Centuries of Discovery American Libraries Magazine Library Studies, Issues & Trends The Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant is an annual grant to recognize, promote, and support innovative and meaningful community engagement efforts in libraries.
Community engagement is the process of working collaboratively with community members – be they library patrons, residents, faculty, students, or local organizations – to address issues for the betterment of the community. Applications for the 2025-2026 cycle are now open. Each year, the grant will focus on supporting a community engagement project with a specific theme.
For the 2025-2026 cycle, libraries are invited to submit applications for a community engagement project that focuses on the concept of " Libraries as a Lifeline: Building Belonging for All.
" Some example proposals could include (but are not limited to): a project that establishes a Community Care Corner with outreach materials, hygiene kits, and local resource guides; a program that collaborates with a local partner to offer micro-skill sessions on subjects like budgeting, digital literacy, or navigating healthcare; projects that develop community connection by hosting neighbor gatherings over meals or creative activities to celebrate diversity; a program that hosts moderated community conversations on local issues by partnering with schools, non-profits, or civic groups.
Libraries should work collaboratively with community members and at least one partner organization to develop a project that addresses a local issue and builds upon community assets. Please note that, while projects should be community-driven, they must be spearheaded by the library.
ALA announced the creation of the Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant in 2019, an initiative made possible by a matching grant and ongoing support from former ALA president and longtime generous supporter Nancy Kranich.
APPLY HERE (applications are open through February 2, 2026) Read the grant guidelines Review the frequently asked questions Master Grant Writing: 11 Tips for Success [PDF] Webinar: Tips for Getting an ALA Grant Mountain Top (NY) Library - "Putting Hunter on the Map" ( Read ALA's press release announcing the 2025 LTC Engagement Grant awardees) Pottsboro (Texas) Library - Civic Engagement Series ( Read ALA's press release announcing the 2025 LTC Engagement Grant awardees) Hoboken (NJ) Public Library - Homelessness Advisory Group ( Read ALA's press release announcing the 2024 LTC Engagement Grant awardees) Independence (KS) Public Library - Eat, Play, Read ( Read ALA's press release announcing the 2024 LTC Engagement Grant awardees) Carlsbad (N.
M.) Public Library - Adult Literacy Project ( Read ALA's press release announcing the 2023 LTC Engagement Grant awardees) Lexington (Neb.) Public Library - Early Childhood Educator Work Center ( Read ALA's press release announcing the 2023 LTC Engagement Grant awardees) Metropolitan College of New York (N.
Y.) - Black Maternal Health Initiative ( Read ALA's press release announcing the 2022 LTC Engagement Grant awardees) Sara Hightower Regional Library System (Ga.) - Coming Home: Essential Resources for Re-Entering Citizens ( Read ALA's press release announcing the 2022 LTC Engagement Grant awardees) 2021: Albany (N.
Y.) Public Library - Branching Out ( Read ALA's press release announcing the 2021 LTC Engagement Grant awardee, Albany Public Library) 2020: Milwaukee (Wis.) Public Library - Deaf Storyslam ( Learn about the 2020 LTC Engagement Grant awardee , Milwaukee Public Library, and their project, Deaf Storyslam) 225 N Michigan Ave.
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Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: Libraries serving as project lead; applicants must work collaboratively with community members and at least one partner organization; 2025-2026 theme is 'Libraries as a Lifeline: Building Belonging for All.' Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates $2,000 Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is February 2, 2026. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Federal grant success rates typically range from 10-30%, varying by agency and program. Build a strong proposal with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and a well-justified budget to improve your chances.
Requirements vary by sponsor, but typically include a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capability statement, and key personnel CVs. Check the official notice for the complete list of required attachments.
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Review timelines vary by funder. Federal agencies typically take 3-6 months from submission to award notification. Foundation grants may be faster, often 1-3 months. Check the program's timeline in the official solicitation for specific dates.
Many federal programs offer multi-year funding or allow competitive renewals. Check the official solicitation for continuation and renewal policies. Non-competing continuation applications are common for multi-year awards.