The 5 Best Resources for Libraries to Apply for Grants

Libraries play an indispensable role in their communities, providing free access to information, digital tools, literacy programs, and safe spaces for learning. Yet funding these vital services is an ongoing challenge. Grant funding has become essential for many libraries to expand services, modernize technology, and serve underrepresented populations. Fortunately, several reliable and well-established grant resources exist specifically to help libraries secure the funding they need. Here are five of the best.

1. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary federal agency dedicated to supporting libraries across the United States. Its National Leadership Grants for Libraries (NLG-L) program funds projects that develop, enhance, or adapt replicable practices, programs, models, or tools to strengthen library and archival services for the

https://www.imls.gov/find-funding/funding-opportunities/grant-programs/national-leadership-grants-for-libraries

American public [1]. IMLS grants support broad access to and preservation of information and collections through libraries and archives, and can even fund services to communities affected by emergencies or disasters [1]. With the FY 2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity already available and a March 13, 2026, deadline, IMLS remains one of

the most important and consistent sources of federal funding for libraries of all types. Libraries should prioritize IMLS as a starting point for any serious grant strategy.

2. American Library Association (ALA) Grants

The American Library Association has a long history of providing grants to support libraries and library-related initiatives across the United States [2]. ALA and its member units award a variety of grants each year to support the planning and implementation of programs, the preparation of publications, and research in library and information sciences [2]. Notable recurring opportunities include the Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant — a $2,000 annual award for library-led community engagement projects, with a 2025-2026 focus on libraries as a lifeline for building belonging [3] — and the Carnegie-Whitney Grant for producing reading lists and guides to library resources [2]. ALA also offers the Peggy Barber Tribute Grant, a $2,500 annual award for libraries with limited programming budgetary support [3]. The breadth of ALA’s offerings makes it an essential resource for libraries of every size and type.

3. Public Library Association (PLA) / AT&T Digital Literacy Funding

The Public Library Association, in partnership with AT&T, offers competitive funding through its Digital Literacy Workshop Incentive program. Since 2022, PLA and AT&T have empowered nearly 400 public libraries to conduct over 3,800 workshops, reaching more than 19,000 learners [1]. The program provides $5,000 grants to small libraries and $10,000 to large libraries to teach digital skills using PLA’s freely available DigitalLearn course modules, with materials available in both English and Spanish [1]. A related 2024-2025 pilot, the PLA Digital Navigator Workshop Incentive, awarded $4,000 each to 35 libraries to support digital navigators who help community members build essential technology skills [1]. Libraries looking to expand digital equity programming should put this partnership near the top of their list.

4. Dollar General Literacy Foundation Grants

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation provides accessible grant opportunities for public libraries, schools, and nonprofit organizations focused on literacy. Grant categories include Youth Literacy, Adult Literacy, Family Literacy, and Summer Reading, with 2026 applications for Adult Literacy, Family Literacy, and Summer Reading due February 5, 2026, and Youth Literacy grants opening March 5, 2026 [3]. The primary eligibility requirement is that the applicant must be located within 15 miles of a Dollar General store, which makes this grant especially relevant for libraries in rural and suburban communities [3]. The foundation’s broad focus on literacy development across all ages makes it a flexible and practical resource, particularly for libraries without access to larger federal funding streams.

5. JSTOR / ITHAKA and Humanities Preservation Funders

For academic and special libraries, as well as public libraries with archival collections, JSTOR’s parent organization, ITHAKA, and related humanities funders offer significant opportunities. A 2025 roundup from JSTOR’s blog highlighted several reliable grants for the May-December 2025 cycle, focusing on digitization, collection development, preservation, and access [4]. These include National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Preservation Assistance Grants of up to $10,000 (or $15,000 for institutions outside the contiguous U.S.) to help small and mid-sized institutions preserve and manage humanities collections [4]. The Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) also offers its Digitizing Hidden Special Collections program, awarding between $50,000 and $300,000 for projects digitizing materials related to underrepresented communities [1]. Together, these programs represent a strong ecosystem of support for libraries focused on preservation and digital access.

Securing grant funding requires persistence, strategic planning, and awareness of the landscape. Libraries that build relationships with these five key resources — IMLS, ALA, PLA/AT&T, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, and humanities preservation funders — will be well-positioned to expand their services and better serve their communities. Many state library agencies also administer Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds locally, making it worthwhile to check with your state library for additional regional opportunities [3].

Sources

[1] Institute of Museum and Library Services. National Leadership Grants for Libraries. IMLS.gov. Available at: https://www.imls.gov/find-funding/funding-opportunities/grant-programs/national-leadership-grants-for-libraries 

[2] American Library Association. Grants — For Libraries and Library Workers. ALA.org. Available at: https://www.ala.org/grants 

[3] Nebraska Library Commission. Grant Opportunities for Nebraska Libraries. NLC.Nebraska.gov. Available at: https://nlc.nebraska.gov/grants/index.aspx 

[4] Papadouris, M. Funding Opportunities for Libraries, Archives, and Special Collections: May–December 2025. JSTOR Blog, December 9, 2025. Available at: https://about.jstor.org/blog/funding-opportunities-for-libraries-archives-and-special-collections-may-december-2025/