Sarah Badgley Literacy Fund for Rural Ontario Children
Background
The Rural Learning Association established the Sarah Badgley Literacy Fund for Rural Ontario Children in 2002. In 2016 the Fund and its administration were transferred to the Ontario Library Association. Since its inception, more than 60 Ontario public libraries have received grants from the Fund.
Grants
Grants up to $500 per year are available to rural public libraries and to urban public libraries that serve rural clientele. The number of grants varies from year to year,
depending on annual fund-raising efforts. Typically, up to four grants are provided each year.
The purpose of the grant is to support children’s literacy initiatives. Priority is given to
those libraries that promote the love of reading by using the grant for such things as literacy programmes (story time, book/activity bags, other literacy initiatives, etc.), book purchases, or equipment purchases (such as Lego, software and digital media). Connections to positive literacy outcomes should be demonstrated in the funding request.
Application Process
Applicants must submit the following details in the application form:
- The contact person’s name and address;
- The library for which the grant is sought;
- A potential budget; and
- A description of the project/initiative that includes: o The potential benefit to children in the community o The relevance to literacy through the promotion of the love of reading. o The planned project should focus on sustainability with a long-term impact rather than a short-term effect.
Applications are due by end of May of each year. To complete an application, please visit: https://accessola.com/funding-opportunities/ola-funds/ to fill out an application form.
Applicants will be notified of the results via email. Grant recipients will be issued a cheque or EFT
For additional information, please contact the Selection Committee at
membership@accessola.com
Sarah Rosalind Badgley (1998-2001)
Sarah was a beautiful, bright, inquisitive, and very happy girl. Sarah never learned to read, but she adored books and loved visiting her local public library. In July 2001, at the age of three, Sarah was tragically killed in an automobile accident. Her parents, Susan and Kerry Badgley of Kemptville, Ontario, created the Fund in Sarah’s memory.
Donate!
If you wish to donate to the Sarah Badgley fund in its support for rural library literacy initiatives, please send your donation to the Ontario Library Association using the secured ink: https://secure.e-registernow.com/cgi-bin/mkpayment.cgi?state=86 or you can send a cheque to:
Ontario Library Association
Centre for Social Innovation
192 Spadina Avenue, Suite 300
Toronto, Ontario M5T 2C2
Attention: Sarah Badgley Fund
