English for Families

Questions? Contact:

April Myerscough
Grants Coordinator
[email protected]
1-727-873-2001

What is English for Families?

Florida Humanities invites public libraries and library systems to apply for funding to host English for Families, a multi-week series of interactive classes for adults and children (ages 6-12) that focuses on developing English vocabulary and literacy skills through strategic and fun story reading.

Developed in partnership with the Orange County Library System (OCLS), English for Families is designed to specifically improve the language proficiency of individuals whose native language is not English (ESOL) by providing essential reading strategies needed for school-age children to achieve success in the classroom while also developing adults’ basic language skills.

Libraries selected for participation will receive extensive online training in program methodology as well as templated marketing and evaluation materials to measure program success.

English for Families is supported in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Orange County Library System (OCLS)

Funding Highlights and Key Dates

Application Deadline: June 12, 2024
Informational Webinar: WATCH WEBINAR!
Funding Notification: Week of July 1, 2024
Funding Amount: Up to $8,000
Funding Period: July 15, 2024- May 31, 2025

Application Guidelines Coming Soon

Eligibility

Florida public libraries and library systems are eligible to apply. A friends group, library association, foundation, city or county government, or municipality may apply on behalf of a library or library system. Individuals, for-profit organizations, and foreign governments/organizations are not eligible for funding. Fiscal sponsors are ineligible to apply. Up to 4 libraries will be funded for 2024-2025.


Funding Details

Libraries can apply for up to $8,000. Allowable expenses include but are not limited to: instructor fees and instructional book sets; books for participating families for in-class use and/or giveaways; program marketing; and, appropriate literacy-focused titles for general library circulation for adults and children.


Program Requirements

Libraries must have all of the following resources to host the program:

  • A community meeting space with a projector and screen or access to a digital meeting platform to host programming
  • A qualified instructor and a library staff member or volunteer to facilitate programming
    • The instructor should be a certified English language instructor or have at least two years of professional teaching experience in literacy or similar field. The instructor can be a staff member or volunteer at the library if they have the proper certification or experience.
    • Florida Humanities does not provide an instructor for the program.
  • A registration platform to recruit and register participants
  • Recommended: A community partner or agency to assist with participant recruitment and program marketing (i.e. school system, literacy coalition, community center)
Watch On Demand

Watch Informational Webinar

In this webinar, Florida Humanities and Orange County Library System discuss the English for Families program, including programmatic content, training, and the application process.

How to Apply

Read the Guidelines

Before you apply, please review the English for Families Guidelines.

Download the Guidelines

Watch our Informational Webinar

Watch our informational webinar about the English for Families
program and application process.

Coming Soon

Preview Application

Download a preview of the English for Families online application. This is intended for reference use only.

Preview Application

Budget Sample

Download a sample project budget form here. This is intended for
reference use only.

Download Budget Sample

Apply for Funding

Ready to apply? Click on the Apply for Funding button and login using your organization’s login and password. Step-by-step instructions on how to create an account are available on the online portal’s homepage.

Apply For Funding

“OCLS is excited about expanding our English for Families program to more Florida libraries to help families develop their English literacy skills. Learning English together in a fun and engaging way strengthens family bonds and helps lay a path for individual success at work, at school and in the community.”
— Danielle King, Chief Branch Officer, Orange County Library System

“OCLS is excited about expanding our English for Families program to more Florida libraries to help families develop their English literacy skills. Learning English together in a fun and engaging way strengthens family bonds and helps lay a path for individual success at work, at school and in the community.”
— Danielle King, Chief Branch Officer, Orange County Library System

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