2024 Grant Information
Program Overview
Talk Story: Sharing Stories, Sharing Culture is a family literacy initiative that connects Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander (AANHPI), and American Indigenous or Alaskan Native (AIAN) communities across generations. The Talk Story micro-grant celebrates and explores AANHPI and AIAN stories through books, oral traditions, and cultural arts to provide interactive and enriching experiences for all ages. This grant provides financial support to libraries and community organizations who are motivated to promote intergenerational literacy through programming, services, and collections. Talk Story programs may be conducted in-person or virtually.
The Grant Information and Application fields are below and can also be accessed on the APALA website: apalaweb.org/talkstorytogether/grant/ and the AILA website: ailanet.org.
To submit your proposal, please use the online form:
https://forms.gle/3vUy3EuCFUxBuiKZ9. If you need an alternative method for submitting your application, please do not hesitate to reach out to the program contact of the organization through which you intend to apply for a Talk Story grant.
Deadline: March 15, 2024
Awards Announced: May 1, 2024
Grant Amount: $500
Grants Offered: 4 total; 2 by each organization
Grant Period: May 1, 2024 – November 30, 2024
Program Contact
familyliteracy@apalaweb.org
talkstorygrant.aila@gmail.com
Eligibility
Libraries, archives, museums, and community organizations that serve AANHPI and/or AIAN children and their families are eligible to apply. With the exception of cross-border tribal organizations, all 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.
Application
Applications must be received by March 15, 2024 11:59pm AoE.
Please submit a complete and detailed application including a statement of financial or economic need, narrative describing how the grant addresses community needs and promotes the Talk Story mission, an explanation of how your program empowers AANHPI and/or AIAN communities, and a proposed budget.
You may apply for either an APALA grant OR an AILA grant. You may NOT apply to both organizations.
Selection Criteria
Awards will be announced no later than May 1, 2024.
Applications will be reviewed by the APALA and AILA joint Family Literacy Focus committees. Awardees will be selected from amongst completed applications. Selection is based upon creativity and originality of the implementation of the Talk Story program, accuracy in portrayal of AANHPI/AIAN cultures, and financial need. Selection will also be based upon 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 must be used by November 30, 2024.
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.
- 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.
Reporting
Final Financial Report and Narrative Report are due by December 31, 2024.
Reports must be submitted to the Family Literacy Focus committee Co-chair(s) affiliated with the organization who issued your grant funds (APALA or AILA) by December 31, 2024. Final reports are expected to reflect and describe the agreed upon program, service, or activities. If modifications to the programs and activities need to occur after the dispersal of grant funds, your grant monitor must be contacted immediately. Grant reports which do not indicate funds were spent appropriately will result in the recipient/awardee returning the financial award for a full or partial amount. Reports should include the following components:
- A description of the program, activities, or service supported by grant funds.
- An explanation of how grant funds were used to support programs and activities.
- Report should outline how the program will continue to benefit AANHPI and/or AIAN children and their families in the future and if the program can potentially serve as a model project for other libraries/tribal libraries/organizations.
- Please include photographs taken during the program. Where possible, include a statement or permission slip acknowledging release for use by APALA or AILA to promote Talk Story on their websites, newsletters, and social media accounts.