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Talk Story: Apply

Mission Statement

Talk Story: Sharing Stories, Sharing Culture is a family literacy program that reaches out to Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander (AANHPI), and American Indian and Alaskan Native (AIAN) families and their intergenerational community members. Talk Story celebrates and affirms Asian, Pacific Islander, and American Indian intersectionalities through books, oral traditions, art, and more to provide interactive and enriching experiences. 

Talk Story Grant Mission

Talk Story grant funding supports library and community organization opportunities to highlight AANHPI and AIAN stories through programs, services, and collection materials. Children and families can connect to rich cultural activities through Talk Story in their homes, libraries, and communities while challenging mainstream Anglocentric literacy practices. We welcome libraries and community organizations to develop their own Talk Story: Sharing Stories, Sharing Culture project to serve family literacy needs.

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Grant Details

Amount: $500
Grants offered: 4 total, 2 by each organization (AILA and APALA)

Eligibility

Libraries and community organizations that serve AANHPI or AIAN children and their families are eligible to apply. With the exception of cross-border tribal organizations,  organizations must be based in the United States or U.S. territories. Organizations who have previously been awarded two Talk Story grants are ineligible for additional awards.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be reviewed by the AILA and APALA joint Family Literacy Focus committees. Awardees will be selected based on:

  • Creativity and originality of the implementation of the Talk Story program 
  • Accuracy in portrayal of AANHPI/AIAN cultures 
  • Financial need 
  • Involvement of the library, community, and community organizations as participants, leaders, and promoters of the proposed Talk Story program. 

Preference will be given to proposals that reflect the core values of family literacy, intergenerational programming and service, and cultural literacy, and representation of AANHPI  and AIAN identities and communities. Projects that actively disrupt stereotypes, decenter colonialism, and hold space for AANHPI/AIAN agency will be heavily considered.

Use of Funds

Funds may be used to purchase library materials such as books, audiovisual materials, supplies for activities/crafts, programming costs such as hiring a storyteller, etc. 

Note:

  • At least 25% of funds must be used for library materials.
  • No more than 10% of funds may be used for refreshments and decorations.
  • Funds must be used to support at least one AANHPI or AIAN themed program for children and their families at the institution that receives the grant. Funds may be used for virtual programming.

Application

Submit a complete and detailed application including a Statement of Need, Narrative, and Proposed Budget. Describe the program your library or community organization would implement with the award and the types of programs highlighting AANHPI or AIAN cultures you plan for your community.

To fill out and submit your proposal, please use the online form: Submit Your Proposal.

For your convenience, we recommend downloading a document version of the application. You can then copy and paste your responses into the web form. Access the downloadable application below:

Downloadable Application

Note: You may apply for either an AILA grant OR APALA grant, but not both.

Timeline

  • Applications must be received by March 15, 2025 11:59pm AoE
  • Awards will be announced by May 1, 2025
  • Funds must be used by November 30, 2025
  • Grant reports must be submitted by December 31, 2025

For questions about Talk Story: Sharing Stories, Sharing Culture, contact:

Asian Pacific American Librarians Association: familyliteracy@apalaweb.org
American Indian Library Association: talkstorygrant.aila@gmail.com