Literacy Coalition Offers Grants to Boost Reading in Onondaga County

Nonprofits can apply for up to $10,000 to fund literacy projects and events

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Literacy Coalition of Onondaga County is encouraging local nonprofits to apply for its 2026 Literacy Champion grants. The grants, which range from $3,000 for events to $10,000 for projects, aim to support initiatives that align with the coalition's mission of achieving literacy for all. In 2025, the coalition awarded a total of $100,000 to 19 organizations in the community.

Why it matters

Literacy is a fundamental issue that impacts social and economic outcomes. The Literacy Coalition's vision is to create a thriving community where everyone reads and succeeds. These grants provide critical funding to support a wide range of creative literacy programs and events for all age groups in Onondaga County.

The details

The Literacy Coalition is accepting applications for the 2026 Literacy Champion grants until February 13th. Grant recipients will be announced by March 30th. Past grants have supported initiatives such as literacy training for foster grandparents, bedtime book series for children of deaf adults, conversation groups for adult English learners, summer learning programs, workplace literacy training, and literacy-focused book festivals and parades. Grantees are required to measure the success of their projects through data collection and analysis.

  • The Literacy Coalition is accepting applications for the 2026 Literacy Champion grants until February 13, 2026.
  • Grant recipients will be announced by March 30, 2026.

The players

Literacy Coalition of Onondaga County

A nonprofit organization dedicated to achieving literacy for all residents of Onondaga County, New York.

Richard Gasirowski

Director of the Literacy Coalition of Onondaga County.

Debbie Stack

Co-Chair of the Literacy Coalition of Onondaga County.

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What they’re saying

“Literacy is 'at the root of every social and economic issue our country is facing today.'”

— Virginia (Ginny) Carmody, First Director of the Literacy Coalition of Onondaga County (Literacy Coalition of Onondaga County)

The takeaway

The Literacy Coalition of Onondaga County's Literacy Champion grants provide critical funding to support a wide range of creative literacy programs and events in the local community. By investing in literacy initiatives, the coalition aims to create a thriving community where everyone reads and succeeds.