As you think about the widening disparity in educational resources across the country, the Laura Bush Foundation’s work to close that gap becomes even more important. Their grants reach more than 4,000 schools, enriching library collections with diverse, culturally resonant materials that help students see themselves reflected in what they read. This kind of targeted financial support drives stronger literacy outcomes, deeper engagement, and measurable improvements in academic performance.
What makes the foundation’s impact even more meaningful is its collaboration with community charities, school districts, and local partners that help extend the reach of each grant. Together, these efforts create learning environments where curiosity thrives and representation is real.
So, can these grants transform the educational landscape? Absolutely. By giving students access to books that broaden their perspectives and fuel lifelong learning, the foundation isn’t just filling shelves—it’s strengthening futures.
Key Takeaways
- The Laura Bush Foundation grant funds are designated for purchasing school library books, e-books, magazines, and periodicals only, excluding furniture, equipment, and software.
- Eligible applicants include Title 1 public schools and private/parochial schools where at least 50% of students receive financial aid, with a certified librarian overseeing the collection.
- Applications require a digitally signed principal agreement, submission of a W-9 form, and financial verification documents; only one application per school is allowed annually.
- Grant awards support underserved schools to update and diversify library collections, fostering student literacy and engagement with diverse and Spanish-language materials.
- The application deadline for the 2025 funding cycle is December 31, 2025, with funds to be spent by December 31, 2026, and award notifications sent in Spring 2026.
Overview of the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries
The Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries actively supports schools facing financial challenges by providing grants that expand, diversify, and modernize their library collections. You focus your efforts where they matter most—helping students in underserved communities discover books that mirror their lives, broaden their perspectives, and strengthen community identity.
These grants prioritize Title I–eligible schools and private institutions with high financial need, ensuring that a certified librarian oversees the funds. The foundation’s work also aligns with broader community needs, uplifting families that rely on resources such as housing support, health aid, and intergenerational stability involving elders who often play a central role in students’ home lives.
Since 2002, the foundation has empowered more than 4,000 schools, transforming libraries into vibrant, inclusive learning hubs that fuel curiosity and academic success.
Impact of Grants on School Library Collections
| Materials Added | Student Engagement | Academic Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| Diverse Books | Increased Interest | Improved Reading Scores |
| E-books and Magazines | Augmented Accessibility | Better Academic Performance |
| Spanish Titles | Cultural Connection | Higher Literacy Rates |
Eligibility Criteria for Grant Applicants
Applicants need to assign a certified librarian or another paid professional to oversee the care and use of library materials to qualify for the Laura Bush Foundation grant.
Public schools must be Title 1 eligible, which applies to neighborhood, charter, and magnet schools. Private and parochial schools qualify if at least 50% of their students receive financial aid.
Schools must maintain a library or designated space for book access. The principal’s digital signature is required to complete the grant application, ensuring all eligibility requirements are met during the application process.
Key Dates and Application Process for 2026 Grants
You need to submit your application for the 2026 Laura Bush Foundation grant by 11:59 p.m. CT on December 31, 2025, so plan accordingly to meet this firm deadline.
After submission, you’ll receive notification of your award status in Spring 2026, followed by a 30-day window to complete the Grant Agreement if selected.
Application Deadlines
The deadline to submit your application for the Laura Bush Foundation grant is 11:59 p.m. CT on December 31, 2025.
To seize these essential funding opportunities, you must create an account on the Communities Foundation of Texas website, complete your grant application thoroughly, and submit it on time.
Successful applicants will be notified in Spring 2026.
Once awarded, your school must finalize the Grant Agreement within 30 days to keep eligibility and spend all funds by December 31, 2026.
Timely preparation and adherence to deadlines strengthen your chances in securing significant grant funding for your library.
Submission Requirements
Although the grant application deadline is December 31, 2025, submitting a complete and approved application well before that time is essential to avoid last-minute issues and confirm thorough review.
To secure your school’s opportunity, focus on meeting every item on the submission checklist and double-checking each application component for accuracy. Principal approval is mandatory prior to submission, and you can submit only one application per year—so make it count.
Incomplete submissions won’t be considered, underscoring the importance of strategic planning and attention to detail in your application process.
- Principal Certification: Obtain a digital signature from your school principal on the application agreement—this is non-negotiable and confirms institutional support.
- Financial Documentation: Submit a completed W-9 and either a voided check or an official bank letter to verify your school’s financial identity.
- Eligibility Proof: Verify your school meets Title I (public) or 50% financial aid (private/parochial) requirements, and that a certified librarian or paid professional oversees the library.
- Complete Narrative: Prepare a clear project narrative, budget plan, and any required supporting materials that demonstrate how funds will directly expand and diversify your library’s book collection—strictly for books, e-books, and magazines, not equipment or furniture.
Award Notification
| Key Date | Action | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2025 | Application deadline | Must submit complete application on time |
| Spring 2026 | Award notification | Know your grant status |
| Within 30 days post-notif | Complete Grant Agreement | Secure your funding |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Deadline to use grant funds | Guarantee full utilization |
| Throughout process | Grant evaluation & notification | Transparent & timely updates |
Permissible Uses of Grant Funds and Restrictions
When you receive a Laura Bush Foundation grant, every dollar must be used exclusively for books, e-books, magazines, and periodicals that directly strengthen your school library’s collection. The funds are intentionally limited to reading materials so students—especially those from families relying on programs like SNAP, can access a richer, more diverse range of learning resources.
You are strictly prohibited from spending the grant on shelving, furniture, equipment, software, videos, guides, tests, or classroom book sets. These restrictions protect the foundation’s mission and ensure fairness across all grantees, including schools serving veterans’ families and high-need communities.
Carefully track and document each purchase to verify that every expense aligns with these rules, safeguarding your school’s eligibility for future funding and maintaining full compliance with the foundation’s guidelines.
Eligible Purchases Only
You must use Laura Bush Foundation grant funds exclusively to purchase books, e-books, magazines, and other print or Braille volumes that enrich your school library’s collection.
Strict fund allocation and purchasing guidelines keep your focus on expanding literacy materials without diversion to non-eligible items. Remember, you can’t buy shelving, furniture, equipment, software, videos, guides, tests, or classroom book sets.
Key points to follow:
- Only one application per eligible school library each year
- Funds must be spent by December 31, 2026
- Submit a completed W-9 and a voided blank check or bank letter
- Maintain adherence to approved educational materials only
Excluded Expense Items
Only a limited range of expenses qualify for funding from the Laura Bush Foundation grant, with strict exclusions to keep the focus on expanding literacy materials.
Excluded items include shelving, furniture, equipment, software, videos, tests, guides, and classroom book sets. Grant funds can’t be used for DVD movie versions of books or any hardware such as e-book readers.
These funding limitations guarantee money is dedicated solely to purchasing books, e-books, magazines, and periodicals that improve the school library collection.
This narrow scope maximizes the grant’s impact on literacy development while maintaining fairness through a one-application-per-year rule.
Role of Certified Librarians and Principal Approval Requirements
Because certified librarians or paid professionals oversee the management of library materials, their role is essential for schools applying to the Laura Bush Foundation grant; this guarantees that the collection is properly maintained and used effectively to benefit students.
Your librarian responsibilities guarantee the library collection stays current and accessible.
Meanwhile, principal engagement is critical, as the principal must digitally sign the application to confirm approval and commitment. Without this approval, your application will be incomplete and disqualified.
- Certified librarians manage care and use of library materials
- Public schools must be Title 1 eligible
- Private schools must have 50% financially aided students
- Principal’s digital signature is mandatory for application completion
Financial Documentation and Grant Payment Procedures
To complete your Laura Bush Foundation grant application, you’ll need to submit a W-9 form from your district business office along with a voided blank check or a bank letter to verify your financial information.
These documents guarantee timely processing of grant payments, which are administered through the Communities Foundation of Texas.
Once awarded, you must finalize the Grant Agreement within 30 days to secure your funds and proceed with purchasing eligible library materials like books and magazines.
W-9 Submission Process
To complete your W-9 submission process, be certain to:
- Obtain the W-9 form from your district business office for organizational compliance
- Submit a voided blank check or bank letter to verify banking details
- Guarantee all financial documents are accurate and complete
- Expect grant payments as notified upon award confirmation
This careful preparation safeguards timely and correct grant funding.
Banking Information Requirements
Including accurate banking details is a key step in managing your Laura Bush Foundation grant funds.
To guarantee funding security, you must provide banking verification through either a voided blank check or an official bank letter. This bank letter must clearly state the entity name, ABA routing number, and account number.
These details enable the Communities Foundation of Texas, which administers the grant payments, to process funds efficiently.
Make certain all financial documentation, including the W-9 form, is complete and precise to avoid delays.
Contact your district business office for help gathering these critical documents early in the application process.
Grant Payment Timeline
Schools awarded the Laura Bush Foundation grant must complete the Grant Agreement within 30 days of notification to maintain eligibility for funding.
This timely completion guarantees smooth payment processing and supports effective grant utilization before the deadline.
All grant funds must be spent by December 31, 2026, emphasizing the importance of strategic financial planning.
The Communities Foundation of Texas handles payment processing, providing administrative support to streamline fund distribution.
Remember to submit a W-9 form from your district business office and a voided blank check or bank letter to verify financial information.
- Complete the Grant Agreement within 30 days
- Spend all grant funds by December 31, 2026
- Submit a W-9 and voided check/bank letter for financial verification
- Grant payments processed via Communities Foundation of Texas
Resources and Expert Support From the George W. Bush Institute
Because the George W. Bush Institute provides expert support, you gain access to experienced staff like Anne Wicks, Robin Berkley, and Alex Dowdy who guide the Laura Bush Foundation’s mission and initiatives.
They help you explore funding opportunities and foster educational partnerships designed to modernize and diversify school library collections.
The foundation has awarded over $23 million to more than 4,000 schools, promoting literacy and accountability aligned with broader educational goals.
Grant applications go through the Communities Foundation of Texas, ensuring efficient processing and administration so you can focus on enhancing student access to quality resources.
Annual Summer Reading Lists and Literacy Promotion
As you investigate ways to keep young minds engaged during the summer months, Laura Bush’s annual summer reading lists provide a valuable resource. These lists target young readers through middle schoolers, fostering a love for reading and learning.
- Summer Reading Themes: Adventure, humor, and discovery to keep children engaged.
- Family Engagement: Emphasizes reading together, sparking curiosity and lifelong learning.
- Local Libraries: Promoted as key resources for accessing featured titles.
- Broader Mission: Encourages literacy and a lifelong love for reading among students.
Stories of Schools Receiving Grants and Their Outcomes
While addressing the critical need for updated and inclusive library collections, the Laura Bush Foundation has empowered hundreds of schools with grants that transform students’ learning experiences.
Yazoo City High School’s $5,000 grant in 2025 and Cater Elementary’s similar award allowed them to diversify their book selections, reflecting their students’ backgrounds.
These grant success stories demonstrate how the foundation’s support boosts student engagement by providing libraries with materials that resonate with their interests.
Since 2002, over $23 million has been awarded to 4,000 schools, enhancing literacy and fostering academic success in low-income communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Most Common Grant?
The most common grant is the Laura Bush Foundation’s school library grant, aimed at Title 1 public schools and private schools with 50%+ financial aid eligibility. You must submit one funding application yearly to qualify for enhancing diverse book collections.
What Was Laura Bush’s Initiative?
Laura Bush spearheaded education advocacy and literacy programs by founding the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries, strategically supporting schools with limited resources to enrich, diversify, and update their book collections, directly empowering students’ learning and engagement.
What Are the Three Common Sources for Grant Funding?
Ironically, you might be surprised to learn that you can secure grants from corporate sponsorships, private foundations, and community fundraising efforts. These sources can significantly boost your library’s resources.
Do Libraries Get Federal Grants?
Yes, libraries can receive federal grants. You can secure federal funding to improve library resources through initiatives like the Institute of Museum and Library Services, which supports library development and literacy programs.
Conclusion
You can harness the Laura Bush Foundation grant to revitalize your school library with diverse, relevant books that inspire curiosity and academic growth. Though the grant requires you to maneuver a modern application by December 31, 2025, its impact echoes like a Renaissance—awakening young minds through expanded literacy. By securing funding now, you guarantee your library remains a vibrant hub, stewarded by a certified librarian, ready to nurture lifelong readers and learners.