GA foundations awarding $100,000 in early learning literacy mini grants to rural schools

ATLANTA, GA – The Georgia Foundation for Early Care + Learning is joining the Georgia Foundation for Public Education(GFPE) this fall in offering 20 $5,000 mini grants to rural elementary schools partnering with childcare programs to help students transition into pre-k and kindergarten.

To receive the Early Literacy Alignment Mini-Grant, the schools must show how they collaborate with the childcare programs to vertically align their early literacy practices to assist young students.

The program is targeted for schools in rural areas of Georgia, with a county population of 35,000 or less. Local elementary schools will partner with local childcare providers who have received a star rating in DECAL’s Quality Rated Program. 

“Working together to improve literacy in Georgia, schools and childcare programs can create a powerful network of support and innovation, fostering an environment where every child has the opportunity to succeed and thrive in their educational journey,” said Laura Wagner, Executive Director of the Georgia Foundation for Early Care + Learning.

Grant applications will be accepted Sept. 16 through Oct. 7.  Winners will be announced in late October. The selected professional development program must have an early literacy focus that will strengthen vertical alignment in literacy instruction at the childcare center and the elementary school, ensuring rising pre-k and kindergarten students are entering school with strong foundational literacy skills.

“Literacy is a key area of focus for both the Georgia Department of Education and the Georgia Foundation for Public Education,” GFPE Executive Director Paige Buzbee said. “We know that students’ literacy development begins well before they enter a kindergarten classroom, and this partnership allows us to make direct investments in early literacy that will ultimately support all students’ ability to learn to read – and later read to learn.”

An informational webinar will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 12:00 p.m. To register, visit the following registration link: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/b094cc31-63a6-4838-a093-0e42d5356837@b8e0a1a4-a274-4c23-97e9-608b64c12f4e

For more information on the Early Literacy Alignment Mini-Grants, visit www.gaearlyed.org or contact Wagner at 404-823-4062 or laura.wagner@decal.ga.gov.