Literacy Grants — Resources

Literacy Grant Frequently Asked Questions

• Who is eligible to apply?

  Literacy Grants are available to Phi Kappa Phi chapters and members. The project director applying for the grant must be an active (dues current) Phi Kappa Phi member.

• How do I know if I am an active member?

  Call the national office at 800-804-9880, ext. 215.

• Can I still apply if I already received a grant in previous years?

  Yes. Projects can be funded for two consecutive years. Funding is not available for a third year, but project managers may apply again in year four. No project may receive more than three grants.

• When will I know if our grant has been selected?

  You will be notified via email by June 1 of the year in which you are applying 

• When will I receive the grant?

  Funds are disbursed via direct deposit after July 1.

• What is the deadline?

  Applications must be submitted via the online portal on or before
  April 1, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. CT. Any applications received after this date will not be considered.

• Is there a deadline to complete the project?

  Yes. Projects should be completed by June 1, 2022. A report, receipts, and any leftover funds should be submitted to the national office by July 1, 2022.

• Do you have any tips for individuals preparing the grant proposals?

  • Be sure your project director is an active member of Phi Kappa Phi. If not, contact the national office to renew your membership.
  • In your project description, please provide as much detail as possible about the number of people reached or benefiting from the project.
  • Explain how you will announce and promote Phi Kappa Phi's sponsorship of your project.
  • When preparing your budget, give consideration to how Phi Kappa Phi funds will best be used. If meals or transportation are critical to the success of your project, please explain this in detail.  Otherwise, these expenses may be perceived as extraneous.
  • If you will receive donated goods or matched funds, please indicate this in your budget.
  • If you applied and did not receive a grant, apply again! The program has limited funds so your proposal may have been very deserving. Send it in again!
  • Do not include stipends or overhead costs in your budget. All the funds are meant to be used for the project.

• What is the reasoning behind these tips?

  These are not grants that are meant to make extensive use of campus resources. They are meant to be funding opportunities for reaching out to the community and engaging human resources, not university facilities. We don't expect the project directors to use labs, for example, or other campus equipment except in a minimal way. So, there are no dollars provided to pay the university. For more detailed information, please contact Kelli Partin, awards manager.

• Are the award funds taxable?

  Award recipients are required to submit a W-9 and will receive a 1099 from the organization. Recipients should consult with their tax advisor regarding the taxability of award payments.