The National Endowment for the Arts Big Read is a program that awards grants ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 to organizations.
Donor Name: Arts Midwest
State: All States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 01/15/2026
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year
Details:
These grants support community reading programs designed around a single NEA Big Read book. As the nation moves into its 250th year, the goal of this program is to honor America’s rich artistic and cultural heritage, inspire meaningful conversations, celebrate local creativity, elevate a wide variety of voices and perspectives, and build stronger connections in each community.
In total, Arts Midwest will be awarding $1,090,000 in project grants through NEA Big Read this year. We anticipate making approximately 75 grants.
Grant Period
September 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027.
Eligible expenses
Project budgets must include only eligible expenses. Eligible expenses are those that directly relate to conducting your community-wide program.
Examples of eligible expenses include, but are not limited to:
- Speaker and artist fees
- Book purchases
- Supply costs
- Promotional fees
- Project staff salaries
- Venue rentals
- Other expenses directly related and necessary to conducting your program.
Eligibility Criteria
Grantees will receive funding for their programming and purchasing books, and tools to support them in working with local partners, developing public relations strategies, and leading meaningful book discussions.
- Non-profit organizations and other federally tax-exempt entities including, but not limited to: universities/colleges, school districts, public libraries, tribal organizations, museums, and community service organizations.
- Organizations located within the United States, US Territories, and the Native Nations that share this geography.
- Arts and cultural organizations in any arts discipline (literature, performing arts, visual arts, traditional arts, multidisciplinary arts, etc.) or nonprofit organizations that provide arts programming (social service agencies, etc.)
- Organizations that do not have overdue reports or funding moratoria with Arts Midwest.
- Organizations with a UEI number from SAM.gov on file by late April 2026.
For more information, visit Arts Midwest.
