Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) recently awarded 21,020 children’s books to 46 organizations through its Early Literacy Grant Program. This grant supports early literacy efforts that enhance school readiness for children birth to age eight by providing children with books.
The books were awarded in partnership with Capstone and ABDO, Mankato-based publishers of children’s books and digital products and services. In 2002, Capstone helped launch the BookStart program, working with SMIF to distribute thousands of books to children in the region over a period of 15 years. In 2018, the Early Literacy Grant was formed as a new collaborative effort between SMIF and the two publishers to put even more books into the hands of children birth to age eight. SMIF has previously partnered with both companies on collectively distributing more than 100,000 books across the region through grants and programming.
The following organizations were awarded Early Literacy Grants because they provide outstanding early literacy opportunities for young children and their families:
• Blooming Prairie Elementary School
• Brown County Public Health
• Byron Public School
• Children’s Museum of Rochester, Inc
• Children’s Museum of Southern MN in Mankato
• Christmas in the Cities of Adams and Taopi
• Circle of Parents in Albert Lea
• City of Good Thunder
• Faribault Public Schools
• Fillmore Central Community Education
• Fillmore County Public Health
• Freeborn County Public Health
• Friends of the Houston MN Public Library
• Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop Early Childhood
• Good Shepherd Preschool in Owatonna
• Human Services of Faribault and Martin Counties
• Kasson-Mantorville Community Education
• Kingsland Public Schools in Spring Valley
• Kiwanis Clubs of Southern Minnesota
• Lanesboro Public Library
• Le Sueur-Henderson Public School and ECFE
• Leo Augusta Children’s Academy in Blooming Prairie
• Little Lakers Early Learning Center in Lake Crystal
• Madelia Early Childhood Family Education
• Minnesota Valley Action Council Head Start in Mankato
• Muir Library in Winnebago
• New Prague Area Schools & Community Education
• New Ulm ECFE
• Northfield Public Schools
• NRHEG Public Schools in New Richland
• Rochester YMCA
• Semcac- Head start in Rushford
• Sleepy Eye Early Childhood Family Education
• Southern Minnesota Education Consortium in Grand Meadow
• St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in North Mankato
• Star Light Early Learning Center in Blue Earth
• Stewartville Community Education
• Tri-City United Early Learning Center in Montgomery
• Three Rivers Community
• Action Incorporated in Northfield
• Triton ECFE in Dodge Center
• Tri-Valley Opportunity Council Elgin
• United Way of Steele County
• Waterville-Elysian-Morristown Public Schools
• Watonwan County Public Health
• Wells Public Library
• Zumbro Education District
“Getting books into the hands of young children powers their development with language, reading and so much more,” said Rae Jean Hansen, vice president of Early Childhood at SMIF. “Our long-term partnerships with both Capstone and ABDO are critical to our efforts to provide parents and children with support they need to prepare for school.”
Award recipients were provided with a selection of titles donated by the publishing companies, including bilingual- and early childhood-appropriate books. The organizations will incorporate the books into their programs and events where young children will receive books to take home and keep.
About ABDO
ABDO has been a leader in children’s educational publishing for school and public libraries since 1985, providing high quality nonfiction and fiction titles for children and young adults in grades PreK–12. The company is known throughout the industry for its excellence in both reading materials and customer service. ABDO titles are available in reinforced library bindings as well as digital products, including multi-use eBooks, Read-to-Me eBooks, and Databases. To learn more about ABDO visit www.abdobooks.com
About Capstone
Capstone is a leading content creator for K-5 digital solutions, children’s books, and literacy programs for school libraries, classrooms, and at home reading including the award-winning PebbleGo™ research database. www.CapstonePub.com
About Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), a donor-supported foundation, invests for economic growth in the 20 counties of south central and southeastern Minnesota. The Foundation has provided more than $136 million in grants, loans and programming within the region during the past 36 years. SMIF’s key interests include economic and early childhood development and community vitality. To learn more about our work and mission, visit www.smifoundation.org.
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