Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, in partnership with ABDO Publishing and Capstone, is accepting applications for the early childhood literacy grant program. The literacy program is designed to support early literacy efforts that enhance school readiness for children from birth to age 5 by providing children with books. Organizations working with these children in SMIF’s 20-county region are encouraged to apply for books to be given to families to keep and read to their children.

SMIF has previously partnered with both publishing companies on collectively distributing more than a hundred thousand books across the region through grants and programming. The literacy program is a new collaborative effort to put more books into the hands of children.

“A lack of literacy skills in young children is a major barrier to getting ready for kindergarten,” said Rae Jean Hansen, vice president of early childhood at SMIF. “Our long-term partnerships with both ABDO and Capstone are critical to our efforts to provide parents and children in the region with support they need to prepare for school.”

Award recipients will choose from a selection of more than 10,000 books donated by the publishing companies, including bilingual and early childhood appropriate books. Applications are due to SMIF by April 12. Awards will be announced in May with a book pickup celebration in June.

For more information or to apply, visit www.smifoundation.org; or contact Jennifer Heien at 507-214-7040  or jenniferh@smifoundation.org.