Apply for literacy grants from Altrusa, Breakfast Rotary by Dec. 31

There is a December 31 deadline for grant applications for work that will improve literacy in Oak Ridge and Anderson and Roane counties.

The application deadline was announced this week by Altrusa International of Oak Ridge and the Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club. Applications and award criteria may be found on the Altrusa International website at www.oakridge.altrusa.org/What-We-Do/Literacy.aspx or the Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club website at www.orbrc.org.

“Lack of literacy skills continues to be a serious problem in the lives of many of our East Tennessee neighbors and for many throughout the world,” a press release said. “Non-readers and below-grade readers cannot realize their full potential in life, which in turn adversely affects our local and national economies and society in general.”

To address the needs of this almost invisible group, the Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club and Altrusa International of Oak Ridge co-sponsor an annual fundraiser, Lunch 4 Literacy. Proceeds from the March 2014 event that featured Denise Kiernan, author of “The Girls of Atomic City,” will be awarded on a competitive basis to organizations in Anderson and Roane counties whose programs, projects, or activities foster literacy, the press release said.

Breakfast Rotary Past President Austin Lance, chair of the Literacy Grant Selection Committee, said funding will be available primarily for specific projects, programs, or activities that will foster literacy. Traditionally, funding has supported books, supplies, and instructional materials rather than staff support or the costs of developing a program, the release said.

The funds will be allocated based on the following guidelines:

1. Successful applications will propose specific projects or activities that will foster literacy in the community.
2. While prior successful applicants are eligible to apply for continued support, all grants will be for one year. Each application will be reviewed on its own merits, and subsequent funding is not guaranteed.
3. Funds for general operating support, capital campaigns, or endowments will not normally be funded, and grants will not be made to individuals or religious groups.
4. Grants will be made to community-based groups and organizations that are based in or have a local presence in the service area that includes Oak Ridge, Anderson, or Roane counties; serve people who live and/or work in the service area; and/or have volunteers, members, or board members who live and/or work in the service area.
5. Applicant organization or groups must be operated and organized in such a way that they do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, age, national origin, or disabilities when they hire staff, let bids, or provide services.
6. Organizations that received funds from this grant program the previous year must submit a project summary and report of effectiveness to be eligible for current funds.

Altrusa International of Oak Ridge Past President and Foundation President Judy Trimble, said the community has played a key role in making the Altrusa/Breakfast Rotary literacy grants possible through its support for the annual Literacy Luncheons.

“We have had a very strong response from area businesses and individuals in sponsorship of and attendance at this event in past years, and I would urge everyone to support the Lunch 4 Literacy on March 17, 2015, so that we might continue making a real difference for literacy programs in our community,” Trimble said.

Applications must be submitted by December 31, 2014.