OWATONNA, MN, February 1, 2022 – Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), in partnership with publishing companies Capstone and ABDO, is accepting applications for its Early Literacy Grant program. This grant is designed to support early literacy efforts that enhance school readiness for children birth to age eight by providing children with books. Nonprofit organizations working with these children and their families in SMIF’s 20-county region are encouraged to apply.
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 Mankato-based publishing companies to put even more books into the hands of young children. SMIF has also previously partnered with both Capstone and ABDO on collectively distributing more than one hundred thousand books across the region through grants and programming.
“Reading books to young children is critical for their development,” said Rae Jean Hansen, SMIF’s vice president of early childhood. “We are grateful to Capstone and ABDO for their continued partnership in this program to provide parents and children in the region with the support they need for their future success.”
“We are so incredibly proud to continue our 20-year partnership with Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation to invest in our children through literacy,” said Gail Beer, Capstone vice president of customer relations and operations. “Capstone believes in giving every child the building blocks for lifelong success and that starts with access to books. SMIF is doing important work to change the lives of children in our community and we’re so honored to be a part of that.”
“Getting more books into the hands of young readers is an ongoing mission of ABDO’s,” said DeMar Borth, director of marketing for ABDO. “We are proud to once again donate books for the Early Literacy Grant program.”
Applications are due to SMIF by March 15 at 2 p.m. Applications that target diverse and at-risk populations will be prioritized. For more information or to apply, visit www.smifoundation.org. For questions about what SMIF might fund contact Heidi Coulter, early childhood project manager, at (507) 214-7016 or heidic@smifoundation.org.
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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