Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant

The Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant is an annual grant to recognize, promote, and support innovative and meaningful community engagement efforts in libraries.

Donor Name: American Library Association

State: All States

County: All Counties

Type of Grant: Grant

Deadline: 02/02/2026

Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000

Grant Duration: 2 Years

Details:

Community engagement is the process of working collaboratively with community members – be they library patrons, residents, faculty, students, or local organizations – to address issues for the betterment of the community.

Each year, the grant will focus on supporting a community engagement project with a specific theme. For the 2025-2026 cycle, libraries are invited to submit applications for a community engagement project that focuses on the concept of “Libraries as a Lifeline: Building Belonging for All.”

Some example proposals could include (but are not limited to):

a project that establishes a Community Care Corner with outreach materials, hygiene kits, and local resource guides;
a program that collaborates with a local partner to offer micro-skill sessions on subjects like budgeting, digital literacy, or navigating healthcare;
projects that develop community connection by hosting neighbor gatherings over meals or creative activities to celebrate diversity;
a program that hosts moderated community conversations on local issues by partnering with schools, non-profits, or civic groups.

Funding Information

Two libraries will be selected to receive $2,000 to advance their community engagement efforts.

Grant Period

The grant period may be one to two years in length.

Eligible Expenses

Grant funds are restricted to project-related expenses. Eligible expenses may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Purchase of collection materials
Tech equipment (e.g. virtual meeting licenses, iPads, Wi-Fi hotspots, etc.)
Project supplies (e.g. markers, index cards, post-its, etc)
Library staff time
Payment to project partners for reimbursement or direct funding of services and support provided (e.g. childcare providers, translators, instructors, co-facilitator, etc.)
Promotion and publicity.

Eligibility Criteria

This opportunity is open to school, public, academic, tribal, and special libraries in the U.S. and U.S. territories.
Applying libraries must demonstrate commitment to community engagement work and must submit at least one letter of support from a community organization partnering with them in this endeavor.
The library/applicant must hold either an ALA institutional membership OR ALA personal membership.
Individuals and non-library entities are not eligible for funding.
Late, incomplete, and ineligible applications will not be reviewed.
Libraries are invited to apply by designing and outlining a library-led community engagement project focused on community empowerment. Project activities may include:
- Developing direct, sustained, and innovative community engagement programs and services
- Executing a relevant and creative community engagement program or event
- Partnering with a community organization that builds the capacity of the community for this work
- Creating and publishing educational or promotional materials for the greater library community and/or presenting an innovative model program at conferences
As you develop your proposal, please note that projects with the following qualities will be prioritized:
- Innovative: How is your proposed project innovative? Think beyond book clubs/discussions as to how the library can creatively and meaningfully engage members of the community in exploring the proposed topic.
- Community-driven: The community empowerment topic you choose to focus on should be reflective of local needs/interests and the project you design should be developed with community input and buy-in. Strong, detailed letters of support are encouraged to demonstrate the involvement and interest of community members/organizations and the relevance of the project to the community.