America250 Book Collection Grants

America250 Book Collection Grants is sponsored by Florida Humanities. Florida Humanities is offering funding to public libraries to enhance their collections with titles that encourage reflection on America's 250-year journey. Eligible libraries may use grant funding to purchase titles from approved booklists.

Libraries in rural or economically distressed areas will be prioritized.

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America250 Book Collection Grants Funding Amount: Up to $6,000 Application Deadline: Wednesday, May 6, 2026 @ 12 PM EST Funding Notification: Week of May 25, 2026 Award Period: June 1 – September 30, 2026 As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding in 2026, Florida Humanities is offering funding to public libraries to enhance their collections with titles that encourage reflection on America’s 250-year journey and offer inspiration for our country’s next chapter.

Eligible libraries may use grant funding to purchase titles from booklists curated by the Orange County Library System in partnership with Florida Humanities. Florida independent municipal public library systems, single-county public library systems and multi-county public library systems are eligible to apply.

Single branches are also eligible to apply; however, public library systems are encouraged to apply on behalf of their branches as applications received from single branches may be consolidated with requests from other branches located within the same system. A library friends’ group, library association or foundation, or city or county government may also apply on behalf of a library or library system.

All applicants must have a verifiable Unique Entity ID (SAM. gov) and a Federal ID number (FEIN). Libraries located in rural or economically distressed areas will be prioritized for funding.

Funding Details & Booklists A single library branch may apply for up to $2500. A library system with multiple branches may apply for $2500 for one branch plus $500 per additional branch. Maximum request submitted by a library system with multiple branches may not exceed $6000.

No cost share is required. Approved applicants will receive all funding at the beginning of the award period. All grant funds must be fully expended by September 30, 2026.

Funding for this grant opportunity is limited. Approved requests may receive full or partial support depending on the total number of applications received. Booklists & Florida Humanities Resources Grant funding may only be utilized to purchase books from the approved booklists.

Titles may be purchased in paperback or hard cover. E-titles and audio books are also eligible for purchase. Florida Humanities prefers that all purchased titles be utilized in the library’s circulating collection; however, a limited number may be given away to the public as part of dedicated America250 programming.

Download approved booklists HERE . Application Basics & Grant Reporting Requirements Applications must be submitted in Florida Humanities’ online grants system and include responses to the following narrative questions: Describe your library or library system and identify each of the individual branches for which funding is being requested.

Include community and library patron demographics, and note if the library/library system is located in a rural or economically distressed area. Provide a brief overview of your primary programs and services. Describe how you plan to incorporate the titles purchased into your library’s circulating collection and America250 celebration.

Florida Humanities encourages libraries to create engaging book displays and host public programs such as book clubs and author talks throughout the 2026 calendar year to mark this historic anniversary. Applicants must also upload a project budget that includes the name, quantity, format, and cost per each title to be purchased. Only books from the approved booklists may be included.

Total budget must equal the funding amount requested. View a sample budget template HERE . Florida Humanities recognizes that pricing and availability may change following submission of your grant application.

Grant recipients may request a budget revision after funding has been awarded to accommodate such changes. Final Reporting. All grant recipients will be required to submit a final report by no later than September 30, 2026 in Florida Humanities on-line grants system.

Final report will include short narrative responses on how the purchased titles were utilized in the library’s circulating collection and America250 programming. Grantees will also be required to submit photos of America250 themed book displays and/or public programs utilizing purchased titles. A financial report detailing the final expenditure of all awarded funds will also be required.

Login to Florida Humanities’ online grants system to submit a request by no later than 12pm (EST) on Wednesday May, 6, 2026. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered under any circumstances. We recommend submitting your application a few days prior to the deadline in the event of technical issues.

Contact Florida Humanities’ staff at grants@flahum. org well in advance of the deadline for assistance with your application. Please allow up to three business days for a response.

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