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CHICAGO — Each year the Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF) distributes grants for organizations to support activities that raise awareness of intellectual freedom and censorship issues during the annual Banned Books Weeks celebration (Sept. 18 - 24, 2022). Staff at all types of libraries, schools, universities, and non-profit community organizations are encouraged to apply. Grants are awarded for $1,000 and applications are accepted now through June 6, 2022.

Grants are evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Imagination: What makes your plan unique? How have you integrated the concept that Books Unite Us: Censorship Divides Us?
• Schedule/Action Plan: Include key dates, responsibilities, and think of ways to collaborate with other groups to carry out a creative project.
• Promotional Plan: What are the ways you will promote your event and who is your intended audience? Do you have a media and social media plan?
• Budget. It is preferred that institutions and other groups they are working with partially contribute to the funding of proposed events rather than solely relying on the grant. Designating funds for the purchase of books, or as an honorarium for one speaker, is discouraged.

To be eligible for a grant, organizations must not have been a recipient of an FTRF grant within the past five years. FTRF Founder Judith F. Krug was a fierce proponent of education and intellectual freedom. During Krug’s lengthy career she worked non-stop to prevent censorship and protect First Amendment rights.

Apply or visit the online to apply and learn more about past recipients and their projects through the . Contact Joyce McIntosh at jmcintosh@ala.org with questions.