Closed
Literacy Fund
Supports school literacy access and reading engagement
Last Update: May 26, 2026
Funding available
Up to 90% of project cost
Timeline
- Closing date : January 11, 2026
Location
Canada
Overview
Funding amount is not publicly specified and is distributed over 3 years. The program supports literacy access through books, Kobo e-readers, educational resources, and school-based literacy projects.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
Eligible Funding
- Up to 90% of project cost
Timeline
- Closing date : January 11, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Educational services
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Primary and Secondary Education
Target groups
- Children & youth
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- National
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Expanding school library collections and classroom literacy resources
- Improving student reading engagement and literacy achievement
- Supporting literacy learning in areas such as Indigenous Knowledge, DE&I, environmental literacy, and STEM
- Running school literacy initiatives such as author visits, reading events, and community literacy activities
- Strengthening parent, family, and community involvement in school literacy
Documents Needed
- Completed online application form
- Letter of support from each participating school principal for organization-led applications
- Creative community project submission
- Supporting materials such as letters of support or survey results, if included
- Working hyperlink for any externally hosted creative content
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Publicly funded elementary schools serving JK/K to Grade 8 students
- School boards applying on behalf of eligible schools
- First Nations educational authorities applying on behalf of eligible schools
- Non-profit literacy organizations applying on behalf of eligible partner schools
Who is not eligible
- Daycares
- Schools that do not serve any students in JK/K to Grade 8
- Applicants that are not at least 80% provincially or federally funded
- Schools that have already received a Literacy Fund grant
- Printed, handwritten, mailed, or faxed applications are not accepted
Eligible expenses
- Books purchased through Indigo, Chapters, Coles, or Corporate Sales
- Kobo e-readers
- Educational resources supporting literacy projects
- Guest author fees, literacy-related trips, and transportation costs
- Levelled readers, dual-language books, e-books, reading assessment resources, contest prizes, and teacher literacy training
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Gift cards
- General merchandise such as toys, furniture, and décor
- Gourmet or food items
- Salaries and capital investments
- Textbooks
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Processing and Agreement
- Submitted applications first undergo a completion and eligibility review by Indigo Love of Reading staff.
- Eligible applications move through three review rounds: internal Indigo review, educator review, and final team selection.
- Each application in the first two rounds is reviewed by three judges and scored using a rubric.
- Applicants are notified of their status by the program timeline.
- Funding for selected recipients is then dispersed starting in September 2026.
Additional information
- Only one application is accepted per school or educational organization.
- Schools can only receive this funding once.
- Recipients receive support over a 3-year period and must complete annual reporting.
- Applicants may opt in to be considered for the Adopt a School program if not selected.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Literacy Fund Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Literacy Fund. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Literacy Fund?
Funding amount is not publicly specified and is distributed over 3 years. The program supports literacy access through books, Kobo e-readers, educational resources, and school-based literacy projects.
How much funding can be received?
Literacy Fund Funds up to 90% of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Literacy Fund program?
To be eligible for the Literacy Fund program, you must:
80%+ government-funded applicant
Serves JK/K to Grade 8
Strong literacy commitment
What expenses are eligible under Literacy Fund?
Expanding school library collections and classroom literacy resources
Improving student reading engagement and literacy achievement
Supporting literacy learning in areas such as Indigenous Knowledge, DE&I, environmental literacy, and STEM
Running school literacy initiatives such as author visits, reading events, and community literacy activities
Strengthening parent, family, and community involvement in school literacy
Who can I contact for more information about the Literacy Fund?
You can contact Indigo Love of Reading Foundation (ILOR) by email at loveofreading@indigo.ca.
Where is the Literacy Fund available?
The Literacy Fund program is available across Canada.
Who are the financial supporters of the Literacy Fund?
Literacy Fund is funded by Indigo Love of Reading Foundation (ILOR)