The Dollar General Literacy Foundation waiting list reduction grant helps literacy programs find ways to immediately engage potential students in learning activities.
Nonprofit adult literacy organizations may apply for the waiting list reduction grant online at www.dgliteracy.org. The deadline to apply for the grant is Sept. 30, 2010.
Since its founding, Dollar General has been committed to supporting literacy and education. The company founded the Dollar General Literacy Foundation in 1993 to improve the functional literacy of adults, families and youth by providing grants to nonprofit organizations dedicated to the advancement of literacy. To learn more about Dollar General’s literacy initiatives and available grants, visit www.dgliteracy.org.
“The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is excited to help launch the National Literacy Directory,” said Rick Dreiling, Dollar General’s chairman and CEO. “Our partners have provided a wealth of knowledge in developing this database. We hope it will be a tool and a springboard for those seeking information on how to improve their lives through literacy.”
The comprehensive, user-friendly directory provides a list of organizations and schools that offer literacy services in communities throughout the United States. The directory can be used to find local referrals for literacy and educational services, including English as a second language, General educational development preparation and testing, and adult basic literacy.
“This initiative is elevating the likelihood of success for the entire family,” said Sharon Darling, president & founder of NCFL. “Together, we are giving parents unprecedented access to find the help they need. Success is at their fingertips, and just a phone call away. Literacy is the foundation for the economic well-being and a strong community.”
In addition to being easily accessible online, the National Literacy Directory telephone hotline provides literacy referrals 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Information online and over the phone is provided in English and Spanish.
"In the U.S., one out of seven adults lack basic literacy skills," said David Harvey, president and CEO of ProLiteracy. "This impacts how people understand important financial, educational, health care, employment or legal rights issues. The National Literacy Directory is a critical link to connect adults in need with local programs and resources that can help them."
Recognizing the need for an online resource for those looking for literacy services, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, the National Center for Family Literacy and ProLiteracy combined resources to create the National Literacy Directory. The directory will be frequently updated to ensure the database has the most current information.
"Dollar General believes literacy is the foundation upon which all other success is built, from education to work.” said Rick Dreiling, Dollar General’s chairman and CEO. “We hope that the Dollar General Literacy Foundation’s support of these organizations will empower individuals of all ages to have a better life for themselves and their families, in turn, ensuring a promising future for our country.”
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation awarded 250 grants to organizations that provide services for adults such as literacy programs, general education diploma preparation and English as a second language. Seventy-five grants were awarded to organizations that provide educational opportunities for parents and children to learn together. And, 151 grants were awarded to libraries and nonprofit organizations to support summer literacy and reading programs for children.
Since its founding, Dollar General has been committed to supporting literacy and education. The company founded the Dollar General Literacy Foundation in 1993 to improve the functional literacy of adults, families and youth by providing grants to nonprofit organizations dedicated to the advancement of literacy. To learn more about Dollar General’s literacy initiatives and available grants, visit www.dollargeneral.com.
To view the complete list of grant recipients, visit www.dollargeneral.com.
The literacy grants will support local adult and youth literacy programs, as well as summer reading programs. Through these grants, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation will serve more than 36,000 people in middle Tennessee.
Jeff Rice, Dollar General’s vice president, human resources and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation’s vice president, surprised representatives from each organization with a check during Wednesday’s presentation.
“The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is pleased to support the good work these organizations are doing each day in middle Tennessee,” said Rice. “Their efforts in literacy and education continue to have a meaningful impact on our community, building a stronger workforce and a brighter future for Nashville and middle Tennessee.”
The schools and organizations that received grants were: Antioch Middle School; Book’em; Bridge Nashville, Inc.; Cameron Middle School; Center for Refugees and Immigrants of Tennessee; Children are People, Inc.; Christian Women’s Job Corps of Middle TN; Fannie Battle Day Home for Children, Inc.; Goodlettsville Elementary School; Goodlettsville Middle School; Homework Hotline Inc.; Humanities Tennessee; Kingston Springs Elementary School; Madison Creek Elementary School; Martha O’Bryan Center; McNeilly Center for Children; Millersville Elementary School; Monroe Harding, Inc.; Nashville Adult Literacy Council; Nashville Opportunities Industrialization Center, Inc.; Nashville Public Library Foundation; Nashville Public Television; Nashville Safe Haven Family Shelter, Inc.; New Hope Academy; Oasis Center; Old Center Elementary School; PENCIL; Preston Taylor Ministries; Progreso Community Center-Centro Comunitario Progreso; St. Luke’s Community House; Sudanese Community & Women’s Services Center; Tennessee Literacy Coalition; The Academy at Opry Mills; The Nashville Chamber Public Benefit Foundation; United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties; Urban League of Middle Tennessee; Vanderbilt University – Kennedy Center; Waverly Elementary School; Workforce Essentials, Inc.; and YWCA of Nashville and Middle Tennessee.
Since its founding, Dollar General has been committed to supporting literacy and education. The company founded the Dollar General Literacy Foundation in 1993 to improve the functional literacy of adults, families and youth by providing grants to nonprofit organizations dedicated to the advancement of literacy. To learn more about Dollar General’s literacy initiatives and available grants, visit
www.dgliteracy.org.
Adult Literacy Grants |
Family Literacy Grants |
Summer Reading Grants
About Dollar General
Dollar General is a leading discount retailer with more than 8,800 neighborhood stores. Dollar General stores provide convenience and value to customers by offering consumable basic items such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids and cleaning supplies, as well as basic apparel, house wares and seasonal items at everyday low prices. The company has a longstanding tradition of supporting literacy and education. Since its inception in 1993, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded more than $47.2 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping more than 2.5 million individuals take their first steps toward literacy, a general education diploma or English proficiency. To learn more about Dollar General, visit
www.dollargeneral.com.
To kick-off Literacy Rocks, Reckitt Benckiser donated $250,000 to the Dollar General Literacy Foundation to support literacy initiatives. In addition, for every Lysol®, Air Wick® or Finish® product purchased at Dollar General, Reckitt Benckiser will donate 5 cents to the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, up to $75,000.
"We are pleased to offer our customers the chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime experience with Gretchen Wilson, as well as help the Dollar General Literacy Foundation," said Rick Dreiling, Dollar General's chairman and CEO. "The funds raised through this promotion will support literacy programs in the communities we serve."
Literacy and education are two initiatives close to Gretchen's heart. Until recently, she was one of the million Americans who hadn't finished high school. In 2008, at the age of 34, she earned her GED. As a dedicated mother, it was important for her to earn the diploma not only for herself, but to show her daughter the importance of education. Through her participation in the Literacy Rocks sweepstakes, Gretchen is helping others reach their own education dreams.
Dollar General customers will find more information about Literacy Rocks at any Dollar General store or online at
www.dgliteracy.com. The sweepstakes begins May 3 and ends June 14.
Since the Dollar General Literacy Foundation's inception in 1993, it has provided grants to nonprofit organizations dedicated to the advancement of literacy. The Foundation has awarded more than $47.2 million in grants across Dollar General's 35-state market area. These grants support adult, family and youth literacy initiatives. In addition to cash grants, Dollar General's in-store Learn to Read brochures have offered free literacy referrals to more than 53,000 people.
About Dollar General
Dollar General is a leading discount retailer with more than 8,800 neighborhood stores. Dollar General stores provide convenience and value to customers by offering consumable basic items such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids and cleaning supplies, as well as basic apparel, house wares and seasonal items at everyday low prices. The company has a longstanding tradition of supporting literacy and education. Since its inception in 1993, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded more than $47.2 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping more than 2.5 million individuals take their first steps toward literacy, a general education diploma or English proficiency. To learn more about Dollar General, visit
www.dollargeneral.com.
"The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is dedicated to breaking the cycle of illiteracy," said Rick Dreiling, Dollar General's chairman and CEO. "By supporting community-based family literacy programs, we hope to open doors for parents and children, putting educational success within reach for people of all ages."
The Literacy Foundation's grant is being matched by a $500,000 donation from the Barbara Bush Foundation. The matching grants will ensure that small, community-based organizations will be able to continue to offer family literacy programs for those in need.
"The heart of our family literacy movement beats within our academies," said Liza McFadden, Volunteer USA president. "These are the places where moms, dads and young children can go as a family to learn. With the continued support of Dollar General, more and more families will have the opportunity to create a better life because of the caring teachers and classes we offer ranging from adult literacy, GED preparation, English as a Second Language, preschool education and parenting skills."
Dollar General supports literacy programs in the communities it serves throughout its 35-state market. With approximately 1,400 stores in Florida, Georgia and Tennessee, this grant will provide local literacy services.
Since its founding, Dollar General has been committed to supporting literacy and education. The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is dedicated to improving the functional literacy of adults, families and youth by providing grants to nonprofit organizations working to advance literacy. To learn more about Dollar General's literacy initiatives and available grants, visit
www.dollargeneral.com.
About Dollar General
Dollar General is a leading discount retailer with more than 8,800 neighborhood stores. Dollar General stores provide convenience and value to customers by offering consumable basic items such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids and cleaning supplies, as well as basic apparel, house wares and seasonal items at everyday low prices. The company has a longstanding tradition of supporting literacy and education. Since its inception in 1993, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded more than $40 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping more than 2.1 million individuals take their first steps toward literacy, a general education diploma or English proficiency. To learn more about Dollar General, visit
www.dollargeneral.com.
About Volunteer USA Foundation
The mission of Volunteer USA - a nonprofit organization - is to inspire a spirit of volunteerism to make communities stronger. We empower families, nonprofits, and schools through innovative and easy-to-implement programs and products. Founded in 2007, Volunteer USA works with sponsors and partners to support a wide range of educational programs from family literacy, youth mentoring and parenting workshops. We also manage efforts to recruit "green" volunteers and train teens so they can help their neighbors and communities in times of disaster. Our passion is to improve the lives and futures of families, for generations to come.
www.volunteerusafoundation.org.
