- Apply for Better Beginnings Family Literacy Community Grants until 30 September
- Micro Grants of $5,000 to $10,000 and Innovation Grants from $10,001 to $30,000
- Programs support social connection and encourage families to read, talk, sing, write and play every day
The popular Better Beginnings Family Literacy Community Grants are back with a pool of $200,000 available for libraries and community groups to launch and deliver family literacy programs.
Since 2021, the State Library of Western Australia has awarded 44 grants totalling $596,000 to assist libraries and community organisations to develop early literacy activities that meet their local communities' needs.
The Town of Port Hedland received a Micro Grant in 2022 and subsequent innovation grant in 2023 which enabled them to trial and launch Under the Yarning Tree, an interactive storytelling event in an outdoor environment.
The program, which is now ongoing, was commended at the 2024 Library Board of Western Australia Awards last month.
Communicare received funding in rounds two and three to deliver its Play School initiative in the Canning area. The pilot program supports parents from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds with children from 3 to 5 years of age.
The program simulates kindergarten activities so families can learn the structures of the Australian education system and helps prepare children with additional needs to transition to school.
Applications for round four of the Better Beginnings Family Literacy Community Grants are open until 5pm on Monday, 30 September 2024.
For more information and to apply, visit www.better-beginnings.com.au/grants.
As stated by Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman:
"Pre-reading skills are the building blocks that children need to be ready to learn through reading, talking, singing, writing and playing.
"We've seen past Better Beginnings grants as a way of getting new programs off the ground so they can continue in local communities.
"The successful programs model to families how they can introduce and continue literacy activities at home. The State Library welcomes applications of every shape and size."
