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Budgets are tight everywhere, and outside funding is vital to school and public libraries’ ability to meet the needs of students and patrons. Here are five funding opportunities that can help with programs, collections, and professional development.

Peggy Barber Tribute Grant

Library workers can apply for the American Library Association’s (ALA) Peggy Barber Tribute Grant. The annual grant offered by ALA’s Public Programs Office “recognizes, promotes, and supports meaningful programs in libraries that have limited and/or no access to budgetary support for programming.”

For the 2025–26 cycle, public, academic, school, tribal, and special libraries can submit applications for a $2,500 grant to support programming related to strengthening community ties through libraries as third spaces. Examples of eligible proposals include an intergenerational gardening program or a performance at the library in partnership with a local theater group.

Applications will be accepted through February 2.

Penguin Random House and United for Libraries Grants for Small and Rural Libraries

Grants of $500 and $1,000 will be awarded to assist Friends of Library groups, or nonprofit groups that support and fundraise for libraries in their communities, with priority projects. In-kind book donation grants of $500 will also be awarded to 20 libraries for the purchase of Penguin Random House titles.

In addition, recipients will also receive complimentary eLearning from United for Libraries, including a year of access to United for Libraries Learning Live monthly webinars that feature training on how to leverage the grant funds to build support for the library and the Friends of the Library group. Recipients will also receive complimentary registration for Friends of the Library Day of the United for Libraries virtual conference (July 30, 2026) and United for Libraries Friends virtual retreat (spring 2027).

Grants will be administered by United for Libraries, the Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations, with funding provided by Penguin Random House.

Submissions are due by January 21. 

Will Eisner Graphic Novel Grants for Libraries

Applications for the 2026 Will Eisner Graphic Novel Grants for Libraries are now being accepted by ALA’s Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table and the Will and Ann Eisner Family Foundation. The grants award funds and resources for graphic novel collection development and programming.

Two Will Eisner Graphic Novel Grants for Libraries will be given in the 2026 cycle: the Will Eisner Graphic Novel Growth Grant provides support to a library that would like to expand its existing graphic novel services and programs; and the Will Eisner Graphic Novel Innovation Grant will provide support to a library for the initiation of a graphic novel service, program, or initiative.

Each winning library will receive:

• $2,000 grant in collection development funds to purchase graphic novels.

• $1,000 grant to host a graphic novel–themed event at a library or another community location, and

• $1,000 grant to attend the ALA Annual Conference to receive the grant money.

In addition, the winning libraries will also receive the following graphic novels, valued at approximately $3,000:

• The Will Eisner Library: A graphic novel collection of Eisner’s work and biographies about Eisner

• A selection of the current year’s Will Eisner Awards winners

Application deadline is January 11.
 

Association of American Educators Funding

The Association of American Educators offers two funding opportunities (aaeteachers.org/awards):

Teacher Scholarships. The scholarships, worth up to $500, can be used for professional development opportunities and workshops, including conferences, workshops, certifications, and materials for professional learning communities.

Classroom Grants. These classroom grants for up to $500 can be used for projects and materials including, but not limited to, books, software, calculators, math manipulatives, art supplies, audiovisual equipment, and lab materials.

Apply by March 1.