Literacy Zone Fund

In partnership with the Urban Child Institute, Literacy Mid-South offers the Literacy Zone Fund. The LZF supports literacy-building projects in specific communities in Memphis & Shelby County. Fund disbursements have been made in 2022, 2024, and 2025 totaling $120,000.

Proposals will be reviewed by LMS representatives, community-based partner(s), and community member(s) on the following review criteria:

  1. Place-based focus (clear connection to a specific community/zone)

  2. Ability to provide literacy supports, resources, engagement, etc. that respond to community need & strengthen the community’s relationship with reading & literacy

  3. Doability and clarity of project plan

  4. Engagement with community residents

  5. Cost effectiveness

2026 Call for Proposals

Timeline

📢 Call for Proposals Opens: April 29th
📌 Deadline for Applications: May 29th
🎉 Winners Announced: June 15th
🥳 Award Celebration Event: TBD

What We’re Looking For

📚 High-quality literacy programs for children, adults, and English Language Learners (ELL)
🏫 Support for community schools and educators
📖 Giving out books and literacy tools to the community
🎉 Community engagement events that promote literacy
👩‍🏫 Workforce development and literacy skills for job success

Apply here

Who Can Apply?

✔ Nonprofit organizations
✔ Community-based organizations
✔ Academic institutions
✔ Community businesses
✔ Community centers
✔ Religious organizations/places of worship
✔ Schools
✔ Childcare providers
✔ and more…

Funded Projects:

Memphis skyline with the Hernando Desoto Bridge and Pyramid

    • “Little Libraries & Book Benches” by For the Kingdom

    • “Passport to Literacy” by Memphis Parks

    • “In-home Literacy & Essential Skill-building Support” by Liberty Memphis

    • "Adopted School Literacy Support” by The Community Plug

    • “Empowering Middle School Students for Racial Equity, Social, and Environmental Justice” by Reading with Mrs. Richardson

    • “HBCU College & Career Fair 2025” by The Community Plug

    • “LIT-SENSE - Literacy for Seniors” by Telisa Franklin Ministries

    • “Read2Lead Summer Program” by Generous Life Foundation dba Memphis Dream Center

    • “UniverCity’s Literacy Program” by UniverCity Family CDC

    • “Amplifying Voices: Hip-Hop, Literacy, and Justice” by Reading with Mrs. Richardson⁠⁠

    • “Raleigh Community Church of Christ (RC3) Literacy Program” by RC3⁠⁠

    • “I ❤ My Community: Raleigh Rising” by Dr. Telisa Franklin Ministries⁠⁠

    • “Road to Greatness” by Operation Taking Back 901⁠

Literacy Zones