Why First Literacy Grant Funding is Small but Mighty!

Written by Amy Letteney, First Literacy Development Director

Established in 1988 as a grant-making organization, First Literacy has always focused on improving Adult Basic Education in the community. Since First Literacy was created, grant funding initiatives have grown immensely. In 2023, our innovative grant-funded initiatives impacted over 1,200 adult learners throughout Massachusetts. While First Literacy now offers additional programs to help support the continuum of Adult Basic Education, we continue to embrace our roots, offering seed funding for ground-breaking concepts across the State of Massachusetts.

The Impact of First Literacy Grant-Funded Programs

In addition to the direct and indirect beneficiaries of innovation grants, First Literacy research shows that many community-based Adult Basic Education programs continue to use the tools and pedagogy long after the funds are expended, deepening and expanding the impact of the awards. Every five years, First Literacy fields a large survey effort to determine long-term ripple effects of the grant program. Below are examples from a January 2019 survey:

• Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center received $5,000 in 2018 to establish a weekly class-like book club. In addition to the fifty students impacted during the grant period, the resources were shared throughout the organization and the results were presented at the Massachusetts Coalition for Adult Basic Education Annual Conference.
• Neighborhood of Affordable Housing received $5,000 in 2017 to develop a book of ten historical immigrant stories set in East Boston. In 2019 the organization printed 100 additional copies for students as a second edition which included a “Teacher’s Guide”. The book is also used in other area programs.
• In 2014 X-Cel Education received $1,220 to create a “History of Medicine” curriculum for pre-high school diploma equivalency students, which was integrated into another “Scary Medical Stories” book with chapters and questions. In 2019 X-Cel reported that at least four additional instructors used the readings and questions; and the material was digitized for use at all X-Cel program sites.

Imitation is the Highest Form of Flattery

Over the years, we have developed several ways to share successes and challenges of First Literacy grant-funded programs, in the hope that additional Adult Basic Education organizations replicate and improve on pilot programs.

Each year, First Literacy hosts the Spotlight on Innovation in Adult Basic Education.  The event provides the Adult Basic Education community with the opportunity to network with and hear from current grant recipients, who showcase their newly tested and implemented innovative and impactful curriculum resources and initiatives.

Advancement and knowledge-sharing are at the core of our work at First Literacy. Many grant programs produce new classroom tools that advance Adult Basic Education and sharing these resources offers an opportunity to impact the lives of even more adult learners. Resources include curriculum, assessments, teacher notes, examples of student work, and surveys. Grant funded programs range from ESOL for Home Health Aide Career and Computer Literacy for Immigrant Adults to Administrative Assistant Preparation Class and WeChat Video Lessons.

In addition to funding innovation, First Literacy also funds replication. Organizations that replicate a current First Literacy funded project can apply for a $1,000 bonus. If the original funder assists an organization in implementing their innovative concept, it also receives funding. It’s a win, win everyone!

Funding Innovation and Changing Lives

The First Literacy mission is to “fund innovation in adult literacy to change lives.” Our continuum of support for Massachusetts adult learners includes free professional development for adult educators, scholarships for adult learners and, our heritage program, grants for innovative classroom concepts.

We welcome the opportunity to maximize the impact of our seed-funded grant programs and hope that you will explore the many resources created for Massachusetts adult educators.