Applications for 2026 will open on February 1st
Applicants are required to complete and submit their application online by February 28, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (ET) via our application portal: https://grants.indigoloveofreading.org
The Adopt a School fundraiser will return in fall 2026, inviting communities to support literacy in school libraries across Canada. Participating stores will raise funds in-store at Indigo, Chapters, Coles, and IndigoSpirit, with 100% of funds raised by each store location going directly to their partner school to purchase new books and literacy materials for school and classroom libraries.
Find your local Indigo, Chapters, or Coles to support school libraries
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”.
If your school is interested in applying to be selected as a participating partner school, please review the eligibility and application information below.
Adopt a School 2026 Expression of Interest
Applications for the 2026 Adopt a School campaign will open this winter! Add your school to the Adopt a School mailing list to be the first to know when applications go live.
Complete the Expression of Interest form and be the first to know when applications go liveEligibility
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
- You will be notified in May with the status of your application. If your school is selected to participate in the program, a participation agreement will be sent to your school principal
- Selected schools will receive the funds raised on their behalf 2-3 weeks after the close of the fundraising period and 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.