Talk Story Grants: Sharing Stories, Sharing Culture

 Deadline: March 15, 2024

The American Indian Library Association and the Asian Pacific American Librarians Association are offering four $500 micro-grants, for the Talk Story: Sharing Stories, Sharing Culture program. This family literacy initiative connects Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander (AANHPI), and American Indigenous or Alaskan Native (AIAN) communities across generations. The Talk Story micro-grant program celebrates and explores AANHPI and AIAN stories through books, oral traditions, and cultural arts to provide interactive and enriching experiences for all ages. This grant provides financial support to libraries and community organizations who are motivated to promote intergenerational literacy through programming, services, and collections. Talk Story programs may be conducted in-person or virtually. 

Libraries, archives, museums, and community organizations that serve AANHPI and/or AIAN children and their families are eligible to apply. With the exception of cross-border tribal organizations, all organizations must be based in the United States or U.S. territories.

Selection is based upon:

• creativity and originality of the implementation of the Talk Story program
• accuracy in portrayal of APIA/AIAN cultures
• financial need
• involvement of the library, community, and community organizations as participants, leaders, and promoters of the program
• proposals that reflect the core values of family literacy, intergenerational programming and service, cultural literacy, and representation of APIA and AIAN identities and communities
• projects that actively disrupt stereotypes, decenter colonialism, and hold space for APIA/AIAN agency 

Funds may be used to purchase library materials such as books, audiovisual materials, supplies for activities/crafts, programming costs such as hiring a storyteller, etc. At least 25% of funds must be used for library materials. No more than 10% of funds may be used for refreshments and decorations. Funds must be used to support at least one AANHPI or AIAN themed program for children and their families at the institution that receives the grant.

For more information and to apply, visit the website: http://www.apalaweb.org/talkstorytogether/grant/