Dollar General Literacy Foundation Grants

Eligibility

Public and nonprofit organizations within 20 miles of a Dollar General store in Wisconsin and across the U.S. Programs must focus on literacy, reading, or adult education. K-12 schools, libraries, and nonprofits are all eligible.

Program Goals

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation funds programs that increase literacy rates, improve reading skills, and support adult learners. For schools, grants support reading programs, library resources, digital literacy, and initiatives that help students achieve grade-level reading proficiency.

Learn more at https://www.dgliteracy.org

Application

Apply online at dgliteracy.org. The Foundation runs multiple grant programs with different deadlines — check the website for current opportunities. Applications include organization description, program narrative, and budget.

Cycle Notes

Multiple grant programs run throughout the year. Check dgliteracy.org regularly for open applications. Summer reading and back-to-school cycles are common.

Award Amount

Up to $5,000 for school literacy programs. Adult education and workforce literacy grants may be larger. Award amounts are tiered by program type.

Allowable Purchases

Forward Education products that qualify for this grant:

• Forward Education Learning Platform — Supports digital literacy development — students engage with structured online curriculum that builds reading, research, and technology skills together.
• Coding for Good Kit — Coding activities build literacy in multiple domains — digital, computational, and problem-solving — connecting to Dollar General's broad literacy mission.
• Climate Action Kit — Project-based learning that integrates reading, research, and science literacy — students read real data and write about their findings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my school need to be near a Dollar General store?
Yes. Organizations must be within 20 miles of a Dollar General store. With over 1,000 Dollar General locations in Wisconsin, most schools qualify.

Does the grant need to focus only on reading?
The Foundation's primary focus is literacy broadly defined — including digital literacy and adult education. Strong applications show clear literacy outcomes.

Can libraries apply alongside schools?
Yes. Public libraries and school libraries are both strong candidates for Dollar General literacy grants.

What evidence does the Foundation want?
Evidence of student literacy needs, a clear program plan, and measurable outcomes (reading level improvement, program completion rates) strengthen applications.

How often can a school reapply?
Schools can apply annually. Past grantees in good standing are generally eligible to reapply.