Sponsors (4)
The bill funds targeted grants and book distributions that can expand youth access to reading materials and support nonprofit literacy efforts, but limited overall funding and administrative/discretionary hurdles risk uneven reach and effectiveness.
Children and families in served communities will gain increased access to books through purchases, distributions, and library donations, expanding reading materials for youth.
Local nonprofits can receive up to $200,000 over two years to run literacy programs, enabling sustained community outreach and program continuity.
Congress will receive program data (books delivered and, when available, literacy changes), providing evidence to evaluate effectiveness and inform future policy.
Low-income children and other target communities may receive limited benefit because the $10 million authorization is likely insufficient to meet widespread book-access needs.
Small or new grassroots nonprofits may be disadvantaged and unable to apply because requirements for community leader support letters and detailed strategic plans demand administrative capacity.
Allowing funding for 'Secretary-determined' activities creates discretionary scope that could lead to uneven program uses and inconsistent outcomes across recipients.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates a competitive two-year pilot grant program (up to $200,000 per grant) to fund book access and literacy activities for children, with $10M authorized for FY2026–FY2027.
Introduced February 3, 2026 by Valerie Foushee · Last progress February 3, 2026
Creates a competitive two-year pilot grant program administered by the Department of Education to help nongovernmental and nonprofit groups buy, distribute, donate books and run literacy programs for children. Grants may be up to $200,000 each; Congress authorized $10 million for FY2026 (available through FY2027). Applications must show past work, a community-focused plan, and a support letter, and applications are evaluated using viewpoint-neutral criteria. The Department must set up the program within 180 days of enactment and report to Congress with program results and qualitative data after grants end.