Mission Statement
Talk Story: Sharing Stories, Sharing Culture is a family literacy program that reaches out to Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI), 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 funding supports library and community organization opportunities to highlight APIA 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.
Grant
Amount: $500
Grants offered: 4 total, 2 by each organization
Eligibility
Libraries and community organizations that serve API/APIA 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.
Selection Criteria
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 APIA/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 APIA and AIAN identities and communities. Projects that actively disrupt stereotypes, decenter colonialism, and hold space for APIA/AIAN agency will be heavily considered.
Literacy Beyond Food Webinar: Created by 2021-2022 Family Literacy Focus Committee members, this webinar provides tips for submitting a successful Talk Story grant proposal.
Literacy Beyond Food Slides: Downloadable slides of presentation created by 2021-2022 Family Literacy Focus Committee.
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.
- 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 APIA or AIAN themed program for children and their families at the institution that receives the grant. Funds may be used for virtual programming.
Application
Please submit a complete and detailed application including a Statement of Need, Narrative, and Proposed Budget. Please describe the program your library or community organization would do with the award and what types of programs highlighting API/APIA or AIAN cultures you are interested in planning for your community.
Please use the online form to fill out and submit your proposal: https://forms.gle/tVuQqNPKyJB3Ndag7
We recommend downloading a document version of the application for your convenience, then copying and pasting your responses into the web form. A document version of the application can be accessed below.
You may apply for either an APALA grant OR an AILA grant. You may not apply to both organizations.
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
Previous Grant Winners: Here you will find a brief description of programs offered by previous recipients of Talk Story funding.
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