GRANT RECIPIENTS

Click here to download the brochure announcing the Spring 2025 Grant Recipients. 

Literacy goes far beyond the ability to read a book or write a letter. The inability to read and comprehend written language can cause immeasurable damage to an individual’s emotional and intellectual development and often limits a person’s ability to achieve a fulfilling and successful adult life. 

Literacy statistics in Arizona are dire.

• According to the Arizona Education Progress Meter, only 41% of third-graders read at grade level. The state’s goal is 72%, stating that reading is THE foundational skill for all future learning.
• Less than half of all third-graders passed the 2022 standardized AzMERIT reading test.
• AzMERIT scores dropped by 11% from 2019 to 2021.  Disrupted learning due to the pandemic has negatively impacted reading scores even further.
• Students who struggle to read by the end of third grade are 4 times mores likely to drop out of high school.

Every member's personal enrichment from reading and connection extends to enriching others. 

Since 2020, when we became an all-volunteer, board-operated organization, the Literary Society has exponentially grown our grantmaking, awarding $250,000 in grants to local non-profit literacy programs from net proceeds of memberships and donations. Last year alone, the Literary Society granted over $100,000 in grants to eight non-profit literacy programs. This year, we aim to raise $76,500 from our caring members and donors, building on our earmarked budget of $38,500, and provide a total of  $115,000 in grant awards to literacy programs this season.  To donate to the Literacy Grant Challenge, click here. 

Portions of the annual membership donations and other generous contributions provide the funding for the Literary Society to make contributions to organizations whose programs have a positive impact on literacy in Arizona.

Spring 2024 Grantees

Spring 2023 Grantees 

Spring 2022 Grantees

Spring 2021 Grantees