First Literacy Awarded $300,000 Grant
BOSTON, MA – First Literacy is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded a $300,000 grant from The U.S. Charitable Gift Trust. The grant, distributed over three years, will enable First Literacy to make a significant impact on the lives of adult learners throughout Massachusetts.
Each year, First Literacy, a Boston based non-profit, awards scholarships to recent graduates of Massachusetts Adult Basic Education (ABE) or English Language Learning (ELL)programs who are continuing to vocational training or higher education. Scholarships in the amount of $1,500 are awarded to assist adult learners in pursuing a certificate or college degree. In 2024, twenty-six adult learners were awarded scholarships. With this grant First Literacy will now be able to offer scholarship recipients the amount that they need, rather than the standard $1,500.
“We are thrilled to receive this very generous gift from The U.S. Charitable Gift Trust,” said Terry Witherell, Executive Director at First Literacy. “This is not only a game changer for our scholars, who will be able to accomplish their goals and realize their dreams; but it’s also a vote of confidence for First Literacy and the amazing work we are doing.”
Most First Literacy scholarship recipients are heads of households with financial and care-giving responsibilities, and many hold more than one job to support their families. With this grant, First Literacy will also create an emergency fund that will be used to help scholarship recipients with other support they need, such as buying a laptop, paying an outstanding bill, or helping with transportation costs or childcare.
“Many of our scholarship recipients are not able to achieve their educational goals because they simply need more money,” said Jeff Beale, First Literacy Board Member. “For a long time, the team at First Literacy has wanted to create an emergency fund for the scholarship recipients. This grant from The U.S. Charitable Trust will allow us to help scholarship recipients with some of their greatest needs.”
The National Center for Education Statistics recently reported that the number of adults in the U.S. who rank at the lowest levels of literacy has risen since 2017, from 19% to 28%. Research also indicates that adults with less than a high school diploma earn three times less than those with higher education.
“There is a great need for funding to support adult learners who are determined to continue their education despite facing major barriers,” said Witherell. “We hope the grant from The U.S. Charitable Trust sparks a ripple effect of support for our work, enabling First Literacy to transform even more lives through education.”