ALA Libraries Transforming Communities Grant
Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities offers more than $14 million in grants to small and rural libraries to increase the accessibility of facilities, services, and programs to better serve people with disabilities.
To be eligible, a library must have a legal area population of 25,000 or less and be located at least five miles from an urbanized area, in keeping with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) definitions of small and rural libraries.
ALA will award four rounds of grants to be distributed over the next four years ranging from $10,000 to $20,000.
Participating libraries will first conduct community input-gathering sessions to assure that their work aligns with local needs. Libraries will be required to identify the primary audience they are hoping to reach (e.g., homebound seniors, children with autism, Deaf community members) and facilitate a community conversation with the impacted populations in order to guide the improvement of the library’s services. Grantees would then use the funds to create services or improve their facilities based on the needs identified by their audience. This project is a wealth of information even if you are not interested in the grant. The highlights is a guide to serving patrons with disabilities.
Grant Opportunity: Penguin Random House & United for Libraries 2026 Rural and Small Libraries Grant Program
Penguin Random House and United for Libraries have announced a new 2026 grant program designed to support rural and small libraries across the country. The program aims to strengthen community connections and enhance fundraising capacity through financial and in-kind support for Friends of the Library groups and other nonprofit organizations that fundraise on behalf of their libraries.
A total of $25,000 in grants will be awarded, including:
- Cash grants of $500 or $1,000 to assist with priority projects that advance the library’s mission and community impact.
- In-kind book donation grants valued at $500 each to 20 libraries for the purchase of Penguin Random House titles.
The application period will be open December 17, 2025 – January 21, 2026, and award notifications will be sent by March 30, 2026.
Grants will be administered by United for Libraries: The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations, whose mission is to empower those who govern, promote, and advocate for libraries of all types. Penguin Random House is providing the funding for this national initiative.
To help potential applicants, United for Libraries will host a series of free virtual informational sessions beginning in December. These will include:
- Two 30-minute overview sessions with tips for applying.
- A one-hour webinar featuring 2025 grant recipients sharing their experiences and projects.
- On-demand training sessions on grant writing basics and how to start a Friends of the Library group, ideal for libraries that do not yet have one.
In addition to financial or book donation support, grant recipients will receive a valuable professional development package that includes:
- Complimentary eLearning access from United for Libraries.
- One year of access to United for Libraries Learning Live monthly webinars, offering in-depth training for Trustees, Friends, Foundations, and advocates.
- Training on how to leverage grant funds to build support for the library and its Friends group.
- Complimentary registration for Friends of the Library Day at the United for Libraries Virtual Conference (July 30, 2026).
- Complimentary registration for the United for Libraries Friends Virtual Retreat (spring 2027).
This opportunity is an excellent way for small and rural libraries—and their Friends groups—to strengthen their fundraising capacity, develop new community partnerships, and expand access to high-quality resources.
For more information, including registration for informational sessions and application details, visit United for Libraries’ website.
The Association for Rural & Small Libraries
The Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL) is a professional network dedicated to the positive growth and development of libraries serving rural and small communities. ARSL believes in the value of our libraries and strives to create resources and services that address their national, state, and local priorities.
Climate Smart Communities Initiative Grants
This grants program is focused on assisting communities on the front lines of the climate crisis in the United States, inclusive of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, commonwealths, and territories, as well as the Tribal nations that share this geography. As detailed in the selection criteria below, the community must be facing significant climate-related challenges, based on environmental as well as socioeconomic considerations. If the proposed work is local in scope, the population of the community should be less than 300,000 residents. If the proposed work is regional in scope, areas with up to 500,000 residents will be considered. The initiative will accept applications into March of 2025, and expects to announce the awards in the summer of 2025.
New England Grassroots Fund
The New England Grassroots Environment Fund, Inc, (Grassroots Fund) was founded in 1996 as a funder’s collaborative, with a mission to energize and nurture long-term civic engagement in local initiatives that create and maintain healthy, just, safe and environmentally sustainable communities throughout the six New England states. With a focus on those who have often been marginalized, Grassroots Fund empowers individuals, groups and organizations working across a broad range of environmental and social justice issues. By helping them identify, select and access the specific tools, resources and connections they need to challenge existing systems, they are able to develop lasting solutions to the complex problems affecting the places they live and the health of the people who live there. We’re supporting change makers who not only experience marginalization but face systemic and structural barriers to traditional funding.
Funding for Libraries in New York State
Long Island Sound Resilience Resource Hub - Funding Database
Long Island Sound Study (LISS) is a collaborative bi-state partnership established by the EPA, New York, and Connecticut, which brings together federal and state agencies, user groups, concerned organizations, and individuals dedicated to restoring and protecting Long Island Sound. LISS efforts are guided by a Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan structured around four key themes/goals:
- Clean Waters and Healthy Watersheds
- Thriving Habitats and Abundant Wildlife
- Sustainable and Resilient Communities
- Sound Science and Inclusive Management
Love Your Library Fund
The “Love Your Library Fund” is used exclusively to support the Summer Reading Program. There are multiple ways for library patrons to show their support. Read on for Love Your Library program details, promotional materials, and funding information. Learn More
NYS Program for the Conservation and Preservation of Library Research Materials
The New York State Conservation/Preservation discretionary grant program was authorized under Education Law, Section 273 (6) (d) in 1984 and expanded in 1986 and 1990. Its purpose is to encourage the proper care and accessibility of research materials in the State, to promote the use and development of guidelines and standards for conservation/preservation work, and to support the growth of local and cooperative preservation programs.
This program provides funding for libraries and other organizations engaged in efforts to preserve deteriorating library research material. There are two parts to the Conservation/Preservation Program:
- An annual discretionary grant program for libraries, archives, historical societies and other institutions that own research materials
- An annual statutory formula aid program for the 10 comprehensive research libraries
State Aid for Library Construction
State Aid for Library Construction is a formula aid program administered by the New York State Library in partnership with New York State’s 23 public library systems and the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY).
Any public or association library or public library system chartered by the Regents of the State of New York or established by an act of the New York State Legislature is eligible to apply for State Aid for Library Construction to cover approved costs for the acquisition, construction, renovation, or rehabilitation of public libraries or public library system headquarters, as well as broadband infrastructure projects.
General Grant Resources
The organizations and resources included are provided for informational purposes only. Decisions about the use of a particular resource should occur at the local level.