Grant Program
The Susan F. Bennett Memorial Grant Program
Annie’s Foundation is pleased to offer a Grant Program, offering $500 in-kind grants to qualifying organizations and initiatives to share the joy of reading with others. Allow us to use our competitive pricing with a variety of book vendors to help you obtain up to $500 worth of diverse books.
In honor of Dr. Susan F. Bennett
KEEPING HER MEMORY ALIVE IN BOOKS
This grants program is named in honor of Founder and President Sara Hayden Parris’s aunt, Susan Bennett. Aunt Sue was a fearless and passionate woman, much like our namesake, Ann Lohry-Smith. A professor of Public Policy at Depaul University, Sue was a voracious reader and enjoyed all variety of books, authors, and characters. We lost Sue too soon in 2017, but know she would have been absolutely appalled by current efforts to ban books and suppress voices different than our own.
Sue’s memory will live on in the hundreds, if not thousands, of books that will be purchased in her name. If you had the honor of knowing Sue, you would agree that this is the best possible way to celebrate her life.
What is the application deadline?
+If you can see this page, we are accepting applications! If funds have been depleted and we are no longer accepting applications for the year, we will remove this page.
How often can I apply for this grant opportunity?
+Due to high demand, beginning in 2026 we will only consider applicants who have not received a grant from us within the past three years.
Who is eligible for this grant?
+This grant is meant for organizations and programs that are based in Iowa and/or serve Iowans.
We encourage non-profit organizations, public libraries (or Friends of libraries), public schools, other organizations, and individuals to apply.
How does this grant work?
+This grant is an in-kind donation. Annie’s Foundation will take advantage of our numerous attractive pricing contracts with various distributors and purchase up to $500 worth of books on behalf of the recipient.
What books can I get?
+Recipients may choose their own books, have Annie’s Foundation select the books, or a combination of the two. Books may be selected from organizations such as Scholastic Literacy Partners, First Book, Book Depot, Book Outlet, and certain publishers.
Do the books we get have to be banned?
+Books selected do not need to have been banned or challenged, as long as the book selections are clearly chosen to meet a certain demographic need. Representation is important!
Annie’s Foundation may make alternate suggestions for certain titles if a banned or challenged book meets the same objective, or if pricing or availability are an issue. No books will be substituted without permission from the recipient.
Anything else I need to know about book selections?
+Annie’s Foundation reserves the right to refuse certain titles that may not meet the goals of the Foundation or the Grant program.
How will I receive the books?
+Annie’s Foundation will work with grant recipients to have books shipped directly to them.
What does Annie’s Foundation expect from me?
+Grant recipients will be mailed Annie’s Foundation labels to be placed on the back cover of each book to be donated, and/or bookmarks to be placed inside each book. Recipients are expected to use one or the other. Recipients are free to add their own information in addition to Annie’s Foundation’s.
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Help us provide copies of banned and challenged books to your community!
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