Since 2004, the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation has been dedicated to putting books in the hands of children in high-needs communities across Canada. We do this with the help of Indigo, its customers, and our donors through two key granting programs: Adopt A School and the Literacy Fund Grant. Keep reading to learn more about these programs and complete the Expression of Interest form to stay in the loop on the latest application timelines.
Grant Expression of Interest Form
Complete this form to be notified as soon as the next grant application window opens.
Love of Reading Expression of Interest Form
Complete the form below to be informed when grant program applications go live. THIS IS NOT YOUR PROGRAM APPLICATION – you are required to complete a formal application to be considered for funding.
Why do we support school libraries?
- Equitable Access: Children living in underserved communities often rely on school classrooms and libraries as their only access point to new and diverse books.
- Academic Achievement: Studies consistently show that students in schools with well-staffed, stocked, and funded libraries score from 10% to 25% higher on standardized tests compared to students in schools with poorly resourced libraries.
- Representation: Filling schools with new and diverse books means students have access to stories that not only reflect their own identities but also broaden their perspectives. The Association for Library Service to Children suggests that “By including diversity in its programs and collections, the library has the potential for helping children make cross-cultural connections and develop the skills necessary to function in a culturally pluralistic society”.
Our Programs
Literacy Fund Grant (LFG)
The Literacy Fund Grant is our largest national granting program, created to dramatically increase literacy access for kids in schools in Canada’s highest needs communities. With grants provided over three years, LFG exists to improve school literacy infrastructure and inventory, increase student literacy achievement, enhance educator capacity, and deepen student, community, and school literacy engagement.
Adopt A School
Each year, over 100 high-needs Canadian schools are “adopted” by an Indigo, Chapters, or Coles location for this month-long fundraising campaign. Funds raised during this campaign are provided to these adopted schools as a grant to refresh, expand, and deepen school library collections.
Eligibility
To be eligible for consideration for the Adopt a School Grant, school applicants must:
- Receive at least 80% of their funding from the provincial or federal government
- Demonstrate financial need
- Serve elementary age students in grades K-8
- Exhibit a strong commitment to literacy!
Note: Schools that are currently receiving a Literacy Fund Grant from the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation are not eligible to receive an Adopt a School Grant. Additionally, schools that have received Adopt a School grants in the past are welcome to apply again, however, preference will be given to schools with outstanding applications who have not participated previously to help ensure these resources reach as many kids as possible.
Additional Information
- Literacy Fund Grant applications open in early November and close in mid-January each year.
- Adopt A School applications open after Literacy Fund Grant applications close, and close in late-February.
- For up-to-date grant application timelines, please complete the Expression of Interest form above.
- Schools that apply for the Literacy Fund Grant can apply for Adopt A School in the same year but cannot receive a grant from both programs in the same year.
- You will be notified in May with the status of your application. If your school is selected to participate in a program, a participation agreement will be sent to your school principal.
- Schools selected for the Literacy Fund Grant program will receive their grant funds in September of their first year of participation. Adopt A School program participants will receive funds raised on their behalf 2-3 weeks after the close of the fundraising period.
- All schools participating in a Love of Reading Foundation grant program will be required to complete an impact survey by the end of the school year. Further detail on fund distribution and impact reporting will be provided upon successful acceptance of your application.
- Additional questions can be directed to loveofreading@indigo.ca.