Libraries as Pillars of Education and Democracy

Libraries as Pillars of Education and Democracy is sponsored by Carnegie Corporation of New York (now Andrew Carnegie Foundation). This initiative supports public library systems in delivering critical services that promote socioeconomic mobility.

Call for Submissions: Grants to Support Public Libraries Nationwide | Carnegie Carnegie Corporation of New York is now the Andrew Carnegie Foundation. Learn more .

Call for Submissions: Grants to Support Public Libraries Nationwide New Carnegie grant opportunity will invest $5 million in public libraries to support English language and youth programs For more than a century, Carnegie Corporation of New York has been one of the largest philanthropic funders of libraries, from the early construction of community buildings to helping establish the endowment of the American Library Association and funding the nation’s first graduate library school.

In recent years, Carnegie’s support has focused on the large-scale digitization of significant library collections, including the Library of Congress, and grants to public libraries in New York City. Carnegie’s new grantmaking initiative, Libraries as Pillars of Education and Democracy , will support public libraries in communities nationwide with $5 million in grants.

The grants will help public libraries deliver critical services that promote socioeconomic mobility, civic participation, and social belonging. Our eligibility survey closed on January 10, 2025. Public library systems that have programs supporting English language proficiency and/or college readiness and access were invited to complete an eligibility survey by 5PM EST on January 10, 2025.

A total of $5 million will be given to 10-15 library systems with each receiving up to $500,000 in funding over 24 months. Priority will go to initiatives with proven success in two areas: English language and literacy services for adults that improve English language proficiency and job readiness skills.

College readiness and access activities that help teens improve their college preparedness by enhancing academic skills, supporting students in the college admission process, developing leadership and civic skills, and engaging families in the transition to college.

Community Demand for Services Demographics: Priority will be given to libraries in areas with growing non-English-speaking populations and/or high demand for teen college readiness services. Evidence of Need: Libraries must demonstrate demand for services through community surveys, statistics, or other data.

Resources: Funding should be allocated for existing staff to expand English language learning and teen programs, or to hire more staff, allowing for more individuals to be served. Partnerships: Libraries should have existing collaborations with schools, colleges, or community organizations that can support expanded implementation and outreach.

Program Design: Libraries must have existing English language learning instruction, skill building, and college readiness programs that use evidence-based approaches and are primed to increase the number of people served. Outcomes: Programs must have clear and measurable goals, such as improved language skills, job readiness, academic preparation, or understanding of financial aid options.

Sustainability: Programs must have funding and the potential to increase funder support beyond this initial grant period. Priority will be given to library systems that serve under-resourced communities. Priority will be given to the geographic diversity of selected finalists.

Stage 1: Eligibility Survey As a first step, prospective applicants should complete an eligibility survey, including a brief description of the existing service(s) and a high-level overview of their proposal by January 10, 2025 . The most promising applicants will be invited to the next stage of the process.

Stage 2: Concept Paper Selected libraries will be invited to submit a concept paper, a proposed project budget of up to $500,000, and an operational budget that lists other existing sources of funding. Stage 3: Interviews Carnegie will interview semifinalists. Stage 4: Funding Proposal Carnegie will invite a select group of 10-15 finalists to submit a full funding proposal.

For additional information please contact us at LibrariesRFP@Carnegie.

org Eligibility survey opens: December 9, 2024 Eligibility survey concludes: January 10, 2025 Invitation for concept papers: January 17, 2025 Deadline for concept papers: January 31, 2025 Concept papers reviewed: January 31–February 12, 2025 Semifinalist interviews: February 24–March 5, 2025 Finalists invited to submit full funding proposals: March 7, 2025 Deadline for full funding proposals: March 14, 2025 Start date for approved grants: July 1, 2025 Andrew Carnegie Foundation Communications Recognized with Top Industry Awards Carnegie Libraries 250: Celebrating Libraries and Community The Next Generation of Writers Finds Inspiration at a Carnegie Library in Rural Georgia 279,000 Books and Counting: How Freedom Reads Gives People in Prison a Place to Read